Oy, you guys have been chatty! BYC wasn't working for me last night, so just caught up on 100 or so posts.
I too am of the 1981 vintage, guess we are middle of the pack on here! Never would have guessed CountyBoy as 16 with the quality birds. Good job kid! lol
Molting: In my 2 years of experience, the first year seems to have a mini-molt mid-summer before they start laying. Then lay right through fall and winter. Some of the 1 year old birds are molting. The Anconas and EE hen have stopped completely, Anconas look terrible. EE stopped a couple months ago but looks fine, so don't know what is up with her. Luna the blue Orp is broody, but looks like she might have a few feathers missing. Her black sister is still laying and looks fine. The 2 NH hens are still laying, although the little hussies are bare-backed.
Took my 4 roos to the Amish processor this morning, will only cost me $10 plus the gas to check in, drop off, then pick up. Still better than the $30 and longer trip for the other place. He is only set up for deer at the moment, so was going to process in the house/driveway to keep them out of the shop. Will be picking them up around 7 tonight.
Today was rough for me. I have been on furlough since Oct 1 and it is really bothering me. Then I get home this morning and the one horse decided he wanted out to pasture NOW, so ran through 3 adjoining paddock fences, stopped in the stall that had the chicken feeder and a stack of hay, licked the feeder out (including oyster shell), knocked over the hay stack, broke the one roost on the feeder, then galloped around the back lawn tearing up the wet grass. They are staying out to pasture tonight, as I need to replace paddock fence and hook up a different electric fence charger. The current one was fried during the Labor Day storm. Thankfully still had my old one at my parent's, hope it runs hot! And all I can think is none of the would be a problem if I was going to work.....
