OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[FlyingNunFarm]

Mine have certainly slowed down, one is molting, the others I attribute more to the heat than the cold, or perhaps the dramatic shift between the two.

I have been finding quite a few feathers but no girl in particular seems to be losing them. Could the back and forth weather have triggered them all to molt? I'm so new to this I have no idea.
It is good to know its not just my girls.

 

[Briggadane]

Mine are all at different stages. A few are mostly done molting, most are still loosing feathers- the SF's stick to them as they fall out, and just a few are showing all new quills. Those look a lot like baby hedgehogs. Cute, but alien. The ragged tail feathers look lice infected, but it's just nature taking its course. From 50 plus laying hens I get 9-12 eggs a day. They are really going through food, in addition to foraging all day.im hoping they get done by the end of October.

 

[autumnhearth]

I have been finding quite a few feathers but no girl in particular seems to be losing them. Could the back and forth weather have triggered them all to molt? I'm so new to this I have no idea.
It is good to know its not just my girls.

Perhaps. Our four hens are almost 17 months old, first annual molt starts around 16-18 months old.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/12/molting-what-is-it-and-how-to-help.html

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Thanks autumnhearth for the link. I didn't know molting could take weeks or even months. I don't see any bald spots but I'll keep an eye on them for sure.

 

[cabinchicky]

Molting here as well, looks like a feather pillow exploded out in their area. None are naked, but I notice the old feathers turn more brownish then start to fall out. Blue Cochin is very easy to see her old feathers. Laying is still slow only 50% now from 14 who are coming off worming meds, egg collection can start tomorrow! The roos look horrid without tails but they are coming back in.

 

[NVillers86]

North Canton, Ohio here -- soon to be Texas, however.
(I've already scouted out the OSU bars down there!)

 

[Kelfeathers]

I picked up my new chicks today. Three Sultans, a Polish and a meal maker are in the brooder.

 

[clark2390]

I'm looking for some ppl in my area to buy some more chickens from. I'm 40 minutes east of Columbus.

 

[Briggadane]

Wow, I just found this, and it happened here. I did not even know it occurred.

https://www.osha.gov/newsrelease/reg5-20150813A.html
Nearly a million $$ in fines for chicken processor.

 

[cabinchicky]

Briggadane thank you for sharing. That is a horrid record for them. I pray the owners get their mind off profit and start to care about the people who work there. Work hazards are part of most jobs but that company is seriously neglecting it's responsiblites. No one should work in those conditions.