Michigan

[Opa]

I think anything that people have enjoyed making will be treasured by those lucky enough to draw it in the raffle. The talent that so many members have is incredible and their generousity is amazing. This year's Chickenstock is going to be a ball.

Laura having a doctor who impresses you with his knowledge a caring attitude is invaluable. Hopefully he can get you on the road to recovery.

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Quote:
Iluvcks - your work is beautiful! A painting of any breed of chicken that would weather the outdoors and could be used on the side of a coop would be great!

 

[Bluemoon420]

Me too.

We still have a ton of snow though.

I think one of my EE hens is egg bound.

She's always been a sporadic layer, and did quit laying for the winter. When the weather warmed up a little bit she laid one egg, but stopped again after we had that week of snow. She's eating, drinking, and even going outside, so I guess I'll keep a close watch on her.

Bluemoon

 

[Bluemoon420]

No, she doesn't seem distressed at all. She has always been a home body, she goes out and free ranges alittle bit then comes right back. Doug said she wasn't able to fly up to her roost last night, but that is the only abnormal thing she's done. She has dropped some feathers the other day, but I checked her over good this morning, and no bald spots. She's eating and drinking normal too.

Bluemoon

 

[iluvcks]

hustonn thanks for the idea. I can totally do that . Folk Art is my favorite so I'll work on that. I also love doing hex signs for barns. They look cute on coops too. Different patterns mean different things, like well wishes for your livestock etc. I poly everything with several coats so they have always stood up under harsh weather. If anyone has more ideas let me know.

 

[Opa]

Nancy it sounds like they might be molting. This might be helpful.

Each year chickens molt, or lose the older feathers, and grow new ones. Most hens stop producing eggs until after the molt is completed. The rate of lay for some hens may not be affected, but their molting time is longer. Hens referred to as "late molters" will lay for 12 to 14 months before molting, while others, referred to as "early molters," may begin to molt after only a few months in production. Late molters are generally the better laying hens and will have a more ragged and tattered covering of feathers. The early molters are generally poorer layers and have a smoother, better-groomed appearance.

Early molters drop only a few feathers at a time and may take as long as 4 to 6 months to complete the molt. Early molters are usually poor producers in a flock. Late molting hens will produce longer before molting and will shed the feathers quicker (2 to 3 months). The advantage of late molters is that the loss of feathers and their replacement takes place at the same time. This enables the hen to return to full production sooner.


The order in which birds lose their feathers is fairly definite. The feathers are lost from the head first, followed in order by those on the neck, breast, body, wings, and tail. A definite order of molting is also seen within each molting section, such as the loss of primary flight feathers before secondary flight feathers on the wings.

The primary wing feathers determine whether a hen is an early or late molter. These large, stiff flight feathers are observed on the outer part of each wing when the wing is spread. Usually 10 primary feathers on each wing are separated from the smaller secondary feathers by a short axial feather.

Molting birds lose the primary feathers in regular order, beginning with the feather nearest the axial feather and progressing to the outer wing-tip feathers. Late molting hens will lose primary feathers in groups of two or more feathers, whereas early molters lose feathers individually. Replacement feathers begin to grow shortly after the old feathers are shed. Late molting birds can be distinguished by groups of replacement feathers showing similar stages of growth.

 

[marethere]

Hi, I'm new and have only posted once before and can't really seem to find the time to read too much of the conversation here but I'm very into chickens. I have 4 hens at this time but am looking for around 20 more brown eqq layers to sell some eggs. I'm recently retired and thought it would bring in a little extra income. I know it won't be much but I do like my hens and the more the merrier

I wonder how reasonable it would be to find some pullets this time of the year or at all. I'm only seeing chicks or older laying hens people are getting rid of. I would like to find some not over a year old just to get started and maybe raise a few chicks next year.

If any of you folks know where I can find some older sexed chicks, pullets or young brown egg laying hens not too far away from me, I'd sure appreciate it. I live in the Linden area about 8 miles south of Flint. Thanks so much.

Cheryl

 

[briana1975]

The molting thing is interesting. I have been wondering about a couple of my chickens and my one silkie is getting funny bald patches on her head. Maybe she is molting after all. Butter than just going bald.

 

[PremierSilkies]

Quote:
This is some great info! Thank you

I am heading to Lansing next week for the poultry testing class (going through the UP) and will be bringing some standard cochin pullets over for someone in Bay City. Still have more pullets that need homes (8 months old) and some silkies as well.

Connie

Driving through on Monday, will be in Lansing for my Tue. morning poultry testing class and will head back to the UP after the class. Taking US 2 through the UP, Hwy 75 and Hwy 127 into Lansing. Hope this helps as it is easier to post this once instead of the pms.

C

 

[ChikeeMomma]

marethere! I don't have any pullets, either. Watch on www.bestfarmbuys.com or www.craigslist.org. Sure you don't want any baby chicks? They are so cute and 18-22 weeks just seems to fly by. Oh and I say 18-22 weeks until they start laying, but all four of my EEs took 30-32 weeks. Little stinkers! I know that is unusual, though. All my others took about 20 weeks.