I was logging on to ask similar quesrions except I KNOW our SLW is moulting. And yet, I read that moulting doesn't shouldn't change their behavior but ours is now skittish and scared of us, hanging out away from our other 2 more....I hope it is "just" the stress of a hard moult which she didn't have last year (she is 1 1/2). It sounds a bit like yours is in a softer moulting mode.
our other 2, which are slightly younger, either aren't moulting, or are doing it on the sly, feather here, feather there. But what is making me sad is that they have all changed their behavior toward us lately. It used to be that a shake of the BOSS container brought them running, one always jumped up on my lap, the other two eating from my hand. Now, as of last few weeks, we get no reaction from treat shakes and they want no part of us. Since they are pets it is a drag because that time with them is a wonderful, calm part of my day. But, as well, since our only losses in the past have been when we were off the property wihtout putting them back in their pen, we use the treats to get them to come in so we can close their gate until we get home. They like their pen-go in on their own often-to get food, water, to lay, to take a dust bath....it isn't jail to them. So anyone have thoughts on this flock-ette behavior shift? It has coincided with the colder days...sick of the BOSS? (spoiled things)...even an apple doesn't bring them in like it used to.
The 2 younger ones are laying regularly, the moulter not since she started defeathering. we can't think of anything else that might have spooked them or provoked the change. Since they range they seem more vulnerable by not hanging around us more.
Silly me for getting so attached....
