How is your flock today?

[Sally PB]

It was easy to tell when the pullets were doing their partial molt. At first I thought their heads were shrinking!

I knew when they were slowing down by how many black feathers I'd see in the coop bedding. Now they're done. When my BO cockerel molts, it'll be harder to see the feathers, as they blend in with the pine shavings.

 

[416bigbore]

@Sally PB It's warmer out in the sunshine then it is in the shade in the coop. Some of mine were sun and dirt bathing yesterday.

Do you do anything special for their dirty bath area? I have some good oak that I need to use up before it starts to rot and I was going to save the ash and make a dirt bath tub for them since all they have to work with right now is MUD!

 

[416bigbore]

It was easy to tell when the pullets were doing their partial molt. At first I thought their heads were shrinking!

I knew when they were slowing down by how many black feathers I'd see in the coop bedding. Now they're done. When my BO cockerel molts, it'll be harder to see the feathers, as they blend in with the pine shavings.

Chewy leaves a few of his longer colored tail feathers around, because I have seen the girls grab at them before! Way to funny to watch and he is now starting to turn on them and ruffle all his feather back at them, unlike before he would give a quick yell and run!

 

[thanai]

Do you do anything special for their dirty bath area? I have some good oak that I need to use up before it starts to rot and I was doing to save the ash and make a dirt bath tub for them since all they have to work with right now is MUD!

All mine have to work with right now is SNOW, and lots of it!! I'm looking forward to spring..........

 

[416bigbore]

All mine have to work with right now is SNOW, and lots of it!! I'm looking forward to spring..........

Just curious, do you see them try to roll in it as if they need a dirt bath? Or maybe they need it only in the summer months? Not trying to be a stupid question, just didn't know if they need it during the winter months to fight off any type of parasites they may get?

 

[thanai]

Just curious, do you see them try to roll in it as if they need a dirt bath? Or maybe they need it only in the summer months? Not trying to be a stupid question, just didn't know if they need it during the winter months to fight off any type of parasites they may get?

My coop is up on legs, so there is a bit of dirt underneath. They manage underneath there... if that ever got covered by the snow, I'd have to give them a dirt bin!

 

[416bigbore]

@truchickendiva ok was just curious, because of all our wet and muddy conditions I was going to build them a dusting bin. I see the hens from time to time try to give themselves a dust bath in the straw and it doesn't work to well for them!

 

[thanai]

@truchickendiva ok was just curious, because of all our wet and muddy conditions I was going to build them a dusting bin. I see the hens from time to time try to give themselves a dust bath in the straw and it doesn't work to well for them!

Aww, the poor hens! The dusting bin is probably a good idea... just make sure it doesn't get wet and muddy too.... !

 

[BlueBaby]

Do you do anything special for their dirty bath area? I have some good oak that I need to use up before it starts to rot and I was going to save the ash and make a dirt bath tub for them since all they have to work with right now is MUD!

That might work for you. Maybe you could sit it up on some sort of platform that is also out of where it could get rained on?

 

[BlueBaby]

How is everyone's flock doing today?

Mine are doing ok. I gave them some cheap Walmart bread broken up yesterday for their Valentine's Day treat. They love that stuff, so I only buy the cheaper loaves for them. I don't give them the whole loaf at one time, though.