fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Someone exploded?

I saw Abigail looking disheveled, a few tail feathers at odd angles. Guess that's what you'd call a hard molt. Poor gal.

Shall I offer her some extra protein?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Someone exploded?
View attachment 3939519


I saw Abigail looking disheveled, a few tail feathers at odd angles. Guess that's what you'd call a hard molt. Poor gal.

Shall I offer her some extra protein?

Yep, looks like molt to me.

I went out this morning and have a tail-less rooster, he was looking pitiful

You can give a bit of extra protein - eggs, fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines, meat/beef) if you wish. I've done that in the past.

Some seem to have a harder time during molt than others and do go off feed a little too. I've found they are usually really keen on something green like Kale, Collards, Cabbage, etc. too. You give these things anyway, so I'd keep things relatively normal, but giving a few healthy "goodies" - they may like that.

I feed a 22% protein feed, so don't give lots of extra protein unless I'm just overrun with eggs, I feed those back at times. I sprout some lentils or oats, I need to get some more started, I've been slack, they LOVE sprouts. BUT, to be fair, they have had apples, grape hulls (from making juice and jelly!), tomatoes and cabbage from the garden, so they are not dying

 

[fuzzi]

Yep, looks like molt to me.

I went out this morning and have a tail-less rooster, he was looking pitiful

You can give a bit of extra protein - eggs, fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines, meat/beef) if you wish. I've done that in the past.

Some seem to have a harder time during molt than others and do go off feed a little too. I've found they are usually really keen on something green like Kale, Collards, Cabbage, etc. too. You give these things anyway, so I'd keep things relatively normal, but giving a few healthy "goodies" - they may like that.

I feed a 22% protein feed, so don't give lots of extra protein unless I'm just overrun with eggs, I feed those back at times. I sprout some lentils or oats, I need to get some more started, I've been slack, they LOVE sprouts. BUT, to be fair, they have had apples, grape hulls (from making juice and jelly!), tomatoes and cabbage from the garden, so they are not dying

Mine aren't dying from hunger, for sure. Today they had tomatoes and a couple stale biscuits, which were extremely popular...


The flock is still on grow feed, so the protein level is probably pretty good.

 

[fuzzi]

It was bound to happen...this afternoon the boys had a little...kerfuffle.

Zack is six weeks older than Silas. He was eating, head inside the port feeder when Silas came up and pecked him! Zack jumped backwards, startled, then started scratching the ground, like a proverbial toro. He fluffed up, puffed up, shook his torso, and flapped his wings. Within a minute Zack went back to the feeder, and Silas snuck up and pecked him again. This second time Zack reacted by going after Silas, trying to grab him by the neck, and pecking back. Silas ran away and Zack let him.


At that point Zack started furiously scratching the ground and going through a little display of puffing and flapping. He did not pursue Silas.

I'm very pleased with this display because Zack's sire, Samuel, was very aggressive, and I am hoping that Zack is not like his daddy in that trait.

Zacchaeus is trying to tidbit the gals with Mac & cheese, as Silas looks on

Joanna and Esther (pullets)

Priscilla (pullet)

Naomi

Tamar

Abigail (molting, poor gal)

No good pictures of the Sussex hens today. Zacchaeus was being amorous so they roosted early!

 

[kcan2]

Zacchaeus is trying to tidbit the gals with Mac & cheese, as Silas looks on

Mac & cheese - yum! Did Zack get sticky from proffering it to the ladies?

Whenever my bantam boy attempts to tidbit yogurt, he usually ends up deeming it an exercise in futility, to be quickly followed up with vigorous beak-wiping

Congrats on POW and yay for Zack's continued A+ behavior!

 

[fuzzi]

Mac & cheese - yum! Did Zack get sticky from proffering it to the ladies?

Whenever my bantam boy attempts to tidbit yogurt, he usually ends up deeming it an exercise in futility, to be quickly followed up with vigorous beak-wiping

Congrats on POW and yay for Zack's continued A+ behavior!

Don't know if he got sticky, but it eventually disappeared.

Rainy day, so I gave them some straw.

The pullets are starting to "get into" digging and scratching, though not too close to the hens. I see very little pecking going on, looks like the order is stabilizing.

Zacchaeus stands and watches over the flock, rarely eats while the hens are. Good Boy!

 

[fuzzi]

Roosting photos and thoughts:

All the Sussex on the main roost. The hens are on the left, then Silas and his two hatch mates Esther and Priscilla, then Joanna. I feel sorry for Joanna. She mingles well but often seems to be an outsider. Joanna had one hatch mate, who went to auction. She's timid, too.

Here's Zacchaeus and the three remaining Dominiques. I understand the "birds of a feather flock together" of the hens, but why is Zack roosting with them?

Oh, wait. The Dominique hens are no longer spurning his advances, so they're HIS gals now.

The Sussex hens have not been receptive to his overtures of love, and the pullets are shy. That could be why the roosting is segregated.

 

[fuzzi]

Corn!

Zack did get some, but he's being SO good about letting his gals eat first.

Abigail is having a tough molt. She's eating well, though, and I am making sure she's getting more protein snacks. I am going to check her after dark, to make sure she's not losing weight.

My rain barrel in use:

It's really nice to not have to carry empty water bottles over to the house to fill.

 

[1muttsfan]

He has good color, good markings, and a beautiful comb

 

[fuzzi]

He has good color, good markings, and a beautiful comb

I agree. I've been thinking about what his chicks might look like.


I think Zacchaeus at 5 months looks better than Samuel at a year.

And his personality is better than his sire's.