Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[dheltzel]

I was very busy packing my house last few days. It's very interesting that "grey" egg from Molly changed color to olive. I find a thin layer melting on the surface left some liquid on it, and this thin layer is the grey coating slowly disappearing . Must be something strange happened to the 1st egg. Her later eggs are all beautiful olive color, although she's not smart enough to lay in nesting box so most her eggs were destroyed on the ground.

Maybe she is smart, but just a free spirit and non-conformist at heart. Maybe give her a pile of bedding in the corner and see if she makes a nest there. At least the eggs would be safe.

 

[chxmama]

..here's you go Stake

...used to be my old avatar...

Lol - love it!

 

[chxmama]

when my girls are molting, I up their protein..it seems to help mine fill-in faster and get back to egg laying. when they go through that, it does make them feel bad. Poor Ginger girl, when she molts she looks like she got jumped into a gang...lost look on her face and everything. Doesn't want to be bothered, stays in the coop. I will even crack a can of tuna for them. A lot of times we will have a bit of meat bird food around, mixing that in with their layer feed works well too. Hope some of this helps.

What is meat bird food? What about cat food? Or the feather fixer feed they sell at Tractor Supply or other farm stores? I am guessing it has increased protein.
Thanks for the help!

chx:

Here's some things you can try...(imho, they really don't work that well.....)

1. hang some CDs with fishing line to blow in the wind....the movement will distract/frustrate the hawk...
2. string some fishing line around/across your pen....hawks can see is and won't want to fly through it...
3. I've noticed that some of the smaller hawks are not sensitive to humans...and are hard to convince to leave...all hawks have been sensitive to my pooch....
4. buy a sling shot (about $10) you'll never hit the hawk, but you can intimidate them...

They don't seem to care much about the CDs, but golfball projectiles do seem to intimidate them. Will have the boys work on their slingshots. Thanks for your help too.

 

[chxmama]

Any one have any thoughts on those tattered/chewed tail feathers I posted a few pages back?
What about the limping chx dilemma?

 

[BullChick]

Protein all works. Anything you mentioned.
Looks like molt.
I don't remember a limping chick.

 

[BullChick]

Hi all! 

So limping chx frm 2 weeks ago is still limping @fisherlady

I've kept her separate from her flock mates to heal, but it seems nothing has changed w/in that time period - she hasn't gotten either better or worse. I've checked her foot and all up and down her leg and joints. Felt the hip area under her feathers and just can't seem to detect any swelling, discoloration or other visible problems. I'm afraid that if I continue to keep her separate, it is going to cause problems when she's reintroduced back into the flock. Not sure what to do? 

The run currently looks like there has been a pillow fight. One of the girls seems to be molting? She has 2 tail feathers left and looks a bit tattered and mangy. I was a little worried at first that it may be mites or something wrong, but think this must be a molt? She is 14/15 months. Is this a strange time to molt? I thought it happened closer to Fall months and cooler weather? How long to complete the molt and for feathers to grow back? She's not naked, though I just noticed a small wing patch that's getting close to bare. Also seems the other girls have been a bit more aggressive towards her? 

One more question, 3 of the chickens in the same flock (of 6) have tattered, chewed looking tail feathers (at the ends/tips). Again, I thought mites, maybe lice. Checked over the girls several different times and they look clean. Couldn't find anything. Can't figure out why their feathers look like that? 

Now I need to backtrack and find out what's been happening here! 

Oh yeah!
If there is no change in two weeks, I would go ahead and re-introduce her. You will definitely have to watch for bullying because she has been gone. Don't worry about the pecking of the pecking order. Just bullying.
I have no thoughts as to why there would be no change in her condition.

 

[chickachickayea]

did ya get one for yourself???:yiipchick

I did not!

I was there on a strict supply run

chx:

Here's some things you can try...(imho, they really don't work that well.....)

1. hang some CDs with fishing line to blow in the wind....the movement will distract/frustrate the hawk...
2. string some fishing line around/across your pen....hawks can see is and won't want to fly through it...
3. I've noticed that some of the smaller hawks are not sensitive to humans...and are hard to convince to leave...all hawks have been sensitive to my pooch....
4. buy a sling shot (about $10) you'll never hit the hawk, but you can intimidate them...

Well, looks like I'll be heeding this advice as well since I just spotted a hawks nest with at least one fledgling about 50 yards or so from the coop!

 

[Millworker26]

@dheltzel- really enjoying the Welbars I got from you. One of them has a black head, quite different from the rest. Is this common or did I get a special pullet?

 

[dheltzel]

@dheltzel- really enjoying the Welbars I got from you. One of them has a black head, quite different from the rest. Is this common or did I get a special pullet?

The one with the black head is a Cream Legbar. They lay blue eggs, not dark brown. If you want, I can switch it with another Welbar, but if you've never had a Legbar, you should try keeping her, they are the calmest and nicest hens I have.

 

[Millworker26]

The one with the black head is a Cream Legbar. They lay blue eggs, not dark brown. If you want, I can switch it with another Welbar, but if you've never had a Legbar, you should try keeping her, they are the calmest and nicest hens I have.

oh wow that is great! Not looking to trade in any of these wonderful chickens, was just wondering why one was different. Thanks for replying.