It’s weeks and weeks for a real molt to finish I think. I set up a Cozy Coop in a draft free corner of the big run but it’s not on yet. It’ll be a while before Popcorn has her full fluff and I want to offer it once it gets colder. I tested it a few times and wonder if they can see the radiant heat maybe as infrared? They had seen it before but looked more closely at it when they got near it when it was on.
Popcorn has a lot of long pins under her outer feathers, discovered when I’ve given them their mites permethrin treatments. I apologized for how uncomfortable it was for her with me ruffling them up getting the spray onto the skin on her back. Poor girl!
So I’ve been battening down this afternoon, closing up the big and little runs drafty spots with tarps getting ready for the cold. The drafts have been fine until today, which is cooler but very windy. At one point this morning I couldn’t find the ladies (with my eyes) anywhere in the yard or runs, then I checked the coop cam. There they were taking their late morning break back inside.
Peanut is still eating the bread antibiotic balls. Kind of funny today. Had to hold her to get her alone after treating everyone with meal worms. So I sat with her after locking everyone else up. She didn’t want the balls, so I offered her meal worms again, shaking the container, which she ate, then offered the balls, which she didn’t want, then the meal worms again (yes), then the balls (no). So then I put the meal worms away temporarily, and kept the balls in front of her. I waited, and waited, then said, “Well it looks like we might have to do the pill popping thing?” And waited. Then suddenly she began eating them! Lack of choice was the key here? Or the gentle threat?
Made the teepee poles for the electric and up a few days ago and the tarps roughly in place. Picture of the Buckeyes, when Peanut was acting pretty unwell. She's been appearing to feel way better, and her diarrhea is ended I think, haven't seen her poop but observed that in this second permethrin treatment her butt and feathers were very clean, all the mites sores and poop mess is gone and skin is a nice pale yellow-pink. Fingers crossed for the future, but for now she's enjoying herself again.
