The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

I think I have a problem.

Yesterday I took out some mealworms. Noticed that one of the BR didn't rush around getting her share. Looked at them but didn't really eat.

Today took out some of the fifty cent liver (yay). Same response. Eventually she went inside while everyone else was in meat frenzy.

Both days I put some right in front of her so it was easy for her to get.


Today I caught her and looked her over.
-I didn't see mites or evidence of lice eggs, etc.
-Bottom a little messy but nothing out of the ordinary.
-She was my bumble foot girl from last winter. Looked at her feet; still a dark scab on the worst one but no sign of infection visible.
-Seems chubby enough.
-Molting. Dumped a lot of feathers even while I was holding her and has lots of new ones starting to poke through (porcupine under the old feathers; she is not bare...has lots of the old ones covering the new growth.

It is just wrong for her not to be interested in meat 2 days in a row.

Any thoughts?

 

[ki4got]

Quote: ROFL sounds like you've got a good one IMO.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I think I have a problem.

Yesterday I took out some mealworms. Noticed that one of the BR didn't rush around getting her share. Looked at them but didn't really eat.

Today took out some of the fifty cent liver (yay). Same response. Eventually she went inside while everyone else was in meat frenzy.

Both days I put some right in front of her so it was easy for her to get.


Today I caught her and looked her over.
-I didn't see mites or evidence of lice eggs, etc.
-Bottom a little messy but nothing out of the ordinary.
-She was my bumble foot girl from last winter. Looked at her feet; still a dark scab on the worst one but no sign of infection visible.
-Seems chubby enough.
-Molting. Dumped a lot of feathers even while I was holding her and has lots of new ones starting to poke through (porcupine under the old feathers; she is not bare...has lots of the old ones covering the new growth.

It is just wrong for her not to be interested in meat 2 days in a row.

Any thoughts?

 

[aaggjg]

Hey LM .... Its the molting. It seems like it really hits a few of them hard for a good week or so and they are not interested in doing anything! I had the same thing and now those girls are feeling better and coming for worms etc. Even little Nugget in the last day or so is interested in mealworms .... but she will go in the coop or in a corner in the run and hide after a few minutes.

 

[lalaland]

I think I have a problem.

Yesterday I took out some mealworms. Noticed that one of the BR didn't rush around getting her share. Looked at them but didn't really eat.

Today took out some of the fifty cent liver (yay). Same response. Eventually she went inside while everyone else was in meat frenzy.

Both days I put some right in front of her so it was easy for her to get.


Today I caught her and looked her over.
-I didn't see mites or evidence of lice eggs, etc.
-Bottom a little messy but nothing out of the ordinary.
-She was my bumble foot girl from last winter. Looked at her feet; still a dark scab on the worst one but no sign of infection visible.
-Seems chubby enough.
-Molting. Dumped a lot of feathers even while I was holding her and has lots of new ones starting to poke through (porcupine under the old feathers; she is not bare...has lots of the old ones covering the new growth.

It is just wrong for her not to be interested in meat 2 days in a row.

Any thoughts?

I notice when my girls moult, there are a couple of days when they are looking as if they feel bad. Lots of standing around instead of pecking. not so interested in food. Right now it is my buff orpington, who is going on 5 years old. she eats, but not enthusiastically. But, she wouldn't totally reject treats, either.

You could do the epsom salt soak for her, and put electrolytes in the water for everyone for a few days - couldn't hurt. dose everyone with fresh garlic....

keeping my fingers crossed she is mopy because of the moult.

I assume you have seen her eating something?

 

[Myrth]

Oh...the rest of that post is...

Try calling your local butchers!  You never know what you might be able to get for a good price.

This is the butcher that only buys meat from local farmers that do not use hormones, antibiotics and the like.  Probably a lot of them still have gmo feed, but it's a good start knowing that they're not in feed lots on factory farms, squeezed tightly, struggling to stay alive with an overload of antibiotics.


And...it's cheaper than fish meal although not dehydrated.

Oooooo! We moved this year. There are two butchers near me. That is a very good idea.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have not seen her eat but only because I leave food out during the day and may not see anyone eat anything.

At 8:30 (after done with some other things) I think I'll get her and give her an epsom salt soak and take a better look at that foot. I'll see if I can tempt her to take anything when I have her in and be sure she's drinking too.

One thing I forgot was to check the crop.

I hope it IS just the molting!

 

[Jewelwing]

I simply adore my daughter..she is the nicest person I know. I still love to hug and snuggle her. She still trys to crawl into my lap on occasion when she has a strong need to be mothered. She is 35..lol

I am waiting for news to see if she is PG..her and her domestic partner went last month on my BD (for a present)to the sperm bank. She called me from the bank and said..Happy Birthday...guess what I am doing..

I can hardly wait..

Susan and I are in the beginning stages of trying. I had all my blood work, and we are waiting on a dye test to be scheduled. After that, we have to find a donor.

Wow, that's fantastic, both of you!! Huge news!

I just hope at least one of my kids decides to give me grandkids. I'm pretty sure the 22-yr-old won't (it's a shame, he'd be a great, patient dad!), and I'm not convinced my 11-yr-old daughter will either. I know, they're both young (especially the girl), but unless she radically changes her personality, it's not gonna happen. And the boy would also have to go through some pretty major changes for it to happen, too. I know, I know, I may be surprised.

But my hopes are pinned on the 17-yr-old boy. He even says he wants to have kids some day!! But he has to go on a date first...

 

[ki4got]

I know some don't like plastics, but I found a great use for those plastic trays hubby's danishes come in... it's about 4" wide and 12" long, and holds one large scoop of FF for 12 (+/-) chicks to fight over food in. twice now I've refilled it today. each time looks like the dog licked it clean. LOL

 

[delisha]

I think I have a problem.

Yesterday I took out some mealworms. Noticed that one of the BR didn't rush around getting her share. Looked at them but didn't really eat.

Today took out some of the fifty cent liver (yay). Same response. Eventually she went inside while everyone else was in meat frenzy.

Both days I put some right in front of her so it was easy for her to get.


Today I caught her and looked her over.
-I didn't see mites or evidence of lice eggs, etc.
-Bottom a little messy but nothing out of the ordinary.
-She was my bumble foot girl from last winter. Looked at her feet; still a dark scab on the worst one but no sign of infection visible.
-Seems chubby enough.
-Molting. Dumped a lot of feathers even while I was holding her and has lots of new ones starting to poke through (porcupine under the old feathers; she is not bare...has lots of the old ones covering the new growth.

It is just wrong for her not to be interested in meat 2 days in a row.

Any thoughts?

My thoughts are...you worry too much..you are a great chicken mom. Have confidence in your skills and knowledge. She sounds normal to me. Remember when your kids hit two? They refused to eat anything. Chicken go through normal behaviors too. One day they act like they have not been feed in days and than they act like food makes them sick.

If you are still worried tomorrow..weigh her and weigh her for a few days. My old chickens look like they are in pain..this moult hit them hard this year. I just pick them up to reassure myself all is well. A sick chicken looses weight fast. A hard moult they will loose a little. Mine are nice and round from all the good eating greens and bugs. They are getting back to normal acting since I started to feed them grains.

I have not seen her eat but only because I leave food out during the day and may not see anyone eat anything.

At 8:30 (after done with some other things) I think I'll get her and give her an epsom salt soak and take a better look at that foot. I'll see if I can tempt her to take anything when I have her in and be sure she's drinking too.

One thing I forgot was to check the crop.

I hope it IS just the molting!

your so sweet