Maine

[suzMEchicks]

LG: one of my R.I.R suddenly has 2 spots, one on each side of her neck that is bear of feathers. Plucked to the skin.So odd! You spoke about a feather picker and now I guess I have one. I never see them pecking at each other. I suspect one of the leg horns because they are the only ones that remotely show signs of asserting authority.

 

[Cknldy]

Moulting starts around the neck area too. Have you seen any of the others picking while you are tending them? LG would know more about it but sometimes the feather picking can happen at night when settling on the roosts. It is Fall so BOLO for moulting;-)

 

[lazy gardener]

My feather picker was a "roost preener" She'd sidle up to her roost mates, and lovingly preen the feathers right off their puffy little faces. She worked her way up the pecking order. That's how I was able to determine that it was her. She never lost a feather, but her 2 EE subordinates took quite a hit, then she started working on Hola, alias Minion, who was just above her in the pecking order. I also saw her preening the roo during the day. From what I've seen, the peckee doesn't even seem to notice that it's happening.

 

[lazy gardener]

Day 3 of the massive earthwork and tree clearing project. Trees are being felled all around the girls coop and temporary run. I'm keeping them shut in their coop or the little tractor which sets at the opposite end of their run during the day. Either way, the action is happening within 10' - 20' of them from all sides. Someone said, "I hope it doesn't cause them to go into an early moult." Is that a likelihood? I can understand decreased egg production during the event. Any experience out there about how such a stress can have a long term effect on a flock?

 

[buckabucka]

I wouldn't worry too much about it, LG. We had the basement project, recent wood clearing to get some firewood in, chipper running, confinement during our trips away, -all kinds of noisy stuff all summer. I think as long as they get a break each evening, and food and water, they'll be fine.

The humans stressing over how much stress the birds are going through is probably greater than the stress the birds are experiencing themselves!

 

[suzMEchicks]

Oh thanks for input about molting, etc.I suspect the 2 RIR.'s may be molting because the last couple weeks they have been looking ragged . I thought it might have to do with stress caused by the dog attack. So what happens when they molt? I mean do they go down to no feathers at all? Hopefully they re-feather before winter! If my black chicken is any indication, the feathers can grow back pretty quickly. She is almost completely recovered from the July 20th attack!

 

[lazy gardener]

They won't get completely bald, though some hens who do a rapid molt will get close to that. Actually those are usually your better layers, as they get the molt done, and back to laying faster than a slow molter. Expect egg production to cease or go way down, expect them to be grumpier than usual, try not to handle them. All those sharp pin feathers are not comfortable for the bird. Give them extra meat based protein. A gal who does a rapid molt and gets back to laying right away would be a good one to hatch eggs from.

This morning, i found my back deck absolutely drenched in sunlight. And there's so much sunlight streaming through the kitchen that it's blinding! And... they're just getting started clearing trees on the East side of the house! Gonna need to buy some shades and curtains.

Last night, we didn't even use a fan in the bedroom... of course i may be imagining it, but, I think there's more breeze with the clearing that's been done.

 

[Heatherschix]

Can anyone steer me to a Ameraucana breeder....I really really want some lavs

Thanks

 

[buckabucka]

I have lavs, but not breeder quality. Lots of gold leakage on the rooster, and not wonderful feather quality on the hens. If you're just looking for non-show quality birds, I have eggs. They are still pretty. It is a tiny flock, so not tons of eggs here.

 

[learycow]

Try Jessica Creighton or Becky Mcvoy. They are both on facebook. Not sure if Jessica is still breeding them or not but I know she was at one point. And Becky has lavs, just not sure if they are Amer. or not But they might be able to help even if they don't have what you are looking for!