Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I moved them in the small hours of the morning when the temperature really dipped. Dotty rode on my arm, Minnie was so fluffed up I couldn’t find her legs so I am afraid to say I just grabbed her. But I did it so fast I am not sure she even woke up.
I noticed Dotty’s crop looked very full so I went out again at 6am and did crop massage with coconut oil. I could feel the grains from the scratch she had as a bedtime snack.
What is it with these molting chickens? Are slow crops common in molting chickens? That is now three of my four. It could be the molting is coincidental. It could be I am sensitive to crop issues because I have learned how to massage.
Any insight?

Are you providing adequate grit for them? I also provide oyster shell, and I have a gravel pile of limestone screenings, I keep a bucket of it in the barn here and they like to scratch around and pick up bits from it - likely good grit for them.

 

[BY Bob]

Umm… did you forget about Ester?

Sunshine may be thinking about molting, too. I see a few feathers of hers here and there and she stopped laying.

I'm so sorry I did not include her. I did not go into deep thought. I just mentioned those on the tip of my tongue.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

I'm so sorry I did not include her. I did not go into deep thought. I just mentioned those on the tip of my tongue.

@BY Bob any idea if roosters molt? I believe they don’t, just wanted a second opinion.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm glad you moved them in. It is just not worth it. They will be fine and will forgive you eventually.

I wish I could weigh in on the crop issue but I have never had one in my tribe. You are worrying me though.

I didn’t move them in. I moved them to the roost near the heater but still inside th Chicken Palace.
Tonight is another cold night (down to 10) then we get a couple of days break before it all returns. Hopefully she will use the time to grow some feathers!

 

[RoyalChick]

Feathers are a good theory. @RoyalChick do they have easy access to grit?

Yes. But don’t show much interest.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, shoot. I popped on to catch up this morning and you guys are too busy!
Lots going on trying to find a place thst will allow the dog snd chickens. Went to see something promising yesterday! We’d have to pay $700 more in rent, but that’s doable, especially if I stop paying a house cleaner. We’d either have to have a major purge, or else put stuff in storage. We’ll probably purge, as paying to store stuff we haven’t used in ages doesn’t make sense.

Oh dear - sure hope you can get something for your needs. I know it must be difficult - I can only imagine with animals in the mix.... keep us updated and good luck!

 

[featherhead007]

Hi Jaffar! such a pretty boy - is he behaving today? Pangoo has been attacking me all morning. Everyone is grumpy, they all want outside so I might let them go mountain climbing on Mount Poopmore after my 11:00 meeting, for a few minutes.

Mine are locked up too. I’m driving to the city today and won’t be home until after noon. (Yes, the birds will probably be angry with me too)

 

[featherhead007]

Feathers are a good theory. @RoyalChick do they have easy access to grit?

And, is it “True Grit”? ……

 

[featherhead007]

FYI, roosters molt too, as do hens.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

FYI, roosters molt too, as do hens.

But in all my years of having chickens, my roosters never seemed to molt.