Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

How old was Mal, when she had her first molt?

Maleficent was only 7 -8 months old when she did a full molt.

 

[BY Bob]

Congratulations Bob.

Thanks.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes, it is (forced molt) and it is now outlawed in much of Europe, but, sadly not here. Starve them for 2 weeks to cause a molt...so that they molt suddenly (i.e. fast) and everyone molts at once. I think it is utterly inhumane...but, clearly others don't.

I was afraid this was what it is. Terrible.

 

[BY Bob]

And here's the rest of us almost poking food into our chickens to help them maintain optimum health through their moult.

The profit motive can be a very ugly force.

Indeed. Yet another time our species let's us down.

 

[BY Bob]

This seems to be a legbar issue. Three out of four now have had their tail feathers pecked at until they bled. The overcrowding doesn't help and of course, the Ex Batts learn to eat feathers in the batteries. I've cleaned and sealed this one but every few days I'm seeing something like this on one or two of them.View attachment 2900442

Poor lady. They do always seem sad in your photos.

 

[BY Bob]

Unfortunately Amp is now sick and going down hill fast. She doesn't have lice or miites. She doesn't have coccidiosis, sour crop and isn't laying so safe to assume she doesn't have an egg stuck anywhere.
She doesn't have as Ascites, or at least there is no obvious abdominal swelling.
I'm going to risk a round of Flubendazole but after that there ins't much more I can do for her.
There are two more on the watch list, but the rest are improving daily. I've got to try and weight them all now. Most I can catch easily now but telling them apart is still an issue.

I'm so sorry. This is pretty sad.

 

[BY Bob]

I knew you would have something for them! Yeah - you are right on the walnuts - you have to be careful - make sure you never trip over. If they are anything like mine they will not be above eating you alive.

By using walnuts I finally got Sylvie to eat something from my hand yesterday morning. Just a peck or two but we are finally getting there.

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry, Bob. I did not mean to imply you were panicked. Perhaps it was a poor word choice. But “worry“ didn’t seem strong enough, as of course you are going to worry.

Nothing to worry about. I appreciate the language issue.

I will say that Sansa is being a total chicken. She is eating well, scratching hard, running around, chasing the littles, and was feisty as all get out when I was trying to weigh and check her over. She fought hard at one point when I was trying to check her feathers.

 

[BY Bob]

Twofer Tuesday
View attachment 2900703

View attachment 2900705

View attachment 2900712

Outstanding! Those are just great!

 

[BY Bob]

I hope people let them know they are aware of their cruelty

They don't view the chicken as a living being. To them it is just a "thing" not something deserving of compassion. Horrible people.