OK. You convinced me. No black out. Though I was never planning on keeping her confined in the dark - just trying to get her to sleep in a bit!I have had the unfortunate experience of unwillingly triggering a hard molt, by keeping our dearly missed Vanille in darkness half of the day for two weeks, when she was very sick. This was in September 2021, when I joined BYC, there were many things I didn't know then. We kept her in a crate in our entrance so she could be warm, and most of the information I found in french said to keep sick hens in isolation and darkness so they could rest. Long story short, after two weeks and a half she miraculously began to get better, and as soon as she was well enough to go out a bit, she began a hard molt.
While it had the positive effect of stopping her from beginning to lay again at once (she had reproductive issues), it was very frightening as she was so fragile ; and we were really upset when we understood that we had caused this. I don't think I would ever want to do this again.
And a happier memory two months later when she chased and ate a snake.
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I took fluffy butts pictures today. Problem is, I have so many black chickens now, that i’m not 100% sure seeing the photos to whom some of those butts belong.
Lulu is a late tiny eggs layer, but she is rather fortunate in the fluff butt department.
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Butt in a broken barrel ..I think Mélisse.
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Merle with her single feather that didn't fall during her molt standing out.
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Annette and Piou-piou
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Piou-piou
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Lulu again
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Lilly.
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This morning was glorious sunshine in the morning and she couldn’t wait to get outside and excavate. She is a very busy little chicken!
Babs tax
