Ribh's D'Coopage

[BY Bob]

I am beginning to realize how lucky I am. I had only one feeder for my 3 princesses. I just increased it to two, but only because I was designing the Chicken Palace and there was a sort of 'extra space' that felt like a feeder would look good. It seems to me like everyone eats. In fact, I would be hard pressed to say that any of them do much more than eat (interrupted only by the odd nap, and dust bath). Mind you they do feel thin to me, but I never see squabbling over food. I may add another feeder just in case anyone is missing out when I am not watching.

2 should be plenty. The idea is to have enough that no one can block them all. I have 2 in the big run (1 on a haybale and one hanging on the otherside) and 1 in the coop. No one can black them all so everyone can be guaranteed a place to eat.

 

[drumstick diva]

Shad thank you for respecting seniors in the flock.

 

[Ribh]

Let's hope that it is just the molt. As long as she is eating and drinking those are good signs.

Yep. Fingers crossed.

 

[LozzyR]

My back yard is pristine. Only Hattie's secret dandelions exist. They are excellent yard keepers. Put a fence up and I'll bring them by.

My back yard is NOT what you’d call pristine! It’s the bindi-weed that gets me down the most, nasty prickly stuff. Vinegar kills it, but it kills everything else around it and I’d need gallons of it!

 

[Shadrach]

I'm quite worried about Lottie.

She's normally very feisty in her quiet little way but she's been very subdued the last 24 hours or so & looking for the sunny spots in the coop. Eating & drinking ok but she snuggled up with Lavender in a nesting box last night. Sooo unlike her! Our vets have shut down. I got an email notification just before this happened. Naturally. Isn't that always the way? She's started her molt so I'm hoping that's all it is. She's always been a rather special little chicken. I'd hate to lose her!
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If she's started her moult then that would seem the most likely explanation for unusual behaviour. The hens catch me out most years with moulting and I do the usual checks, crop full at night and empty in the morning, mites, lice, egg binding etc and can't find anything amiss apart from their lack of interest in the commercial feed.
Unless you can find a specific problem then moulting is probably the cause.

 

[Ribh]

If she's started her moult then that would seem the most likely explanation for unusual behaviour. The hens catch me out most years with moulting and I do the usual checks, crop full at night and empty in the morning, mites, lice, egg binding etc and can't find anything amiss apart from their lack of interest in the commercial feed.
Unless you can find a specific problem then moulting is probably the cause.

Thanks, Shad. She seems to be having a light molt, only a few feathers here & there, but it has been wet & cold here & she seems so miserable. I did all the usual checks. I am so paranoid about abnormal behaviour.

 

[Ribh]

My back yard is NOT what you’d call pristine! It’s the bindi-weed that gets me down the most, nasty prickly stuff. Vinegar kills it, but it kills everything else around it and I’d need gallons of it!

Bindies are the worst ~ then nut weed, the only thing the chooks don't seem able to clean up!

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks, Shad. She seems to be having a light molt, only a few feathers here & there, but it has been wet & cold here & she seems so miserable. I did all the usual checks. I am so paranoid about abnormal behaviour.

Don't come and visit me then!

 

[Ribh]

Don't come and visit me then!

Whatever you are implying, it's normal for you. I'd be worried if that changed.

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks