phew, mama and the chicks made it thru the day while I was working - I'm a little uncomfortable about the security lacking in the temporary chick run.
I've noticed wing feathers start showing up day 2, dustbathing day 3, helicoptering day 4 and tail feathers day 4 as well. dang they grow fast!
I came home and noticed one of the sulmtalers (fluffy white belly and tail end feathers) had feathers dragging down, weighted down with some kind of dark grey masses on the feather shafts. Looked like an old mop or dreads, not fluffy feathers. I instantly thought this was the most horrific case of mites or lice or something and that I should be shot for not keeping a better eye on them. They are skittish birds, and prefer not to be anywhere close to me, unlike other chickens in the flocks that are always curious and hovering underfoot.
Ran inside, cleaned off the counter, emptied the sink, got the sulphur powder, the hair dryer, the towels - ran back out and spent 30 minutes trying to catch the little bugger - I hate crawling in a muddy run...got her in the house, (screaming hen under one arm, grabbing cats in other hand and tossing them out in the porch) . She was pretty upset. Got her in the warm bath - first time I've had to force a hen to sit down in the water, usually they relax after a few minutes and sink in on their own. swished soapy water (dr bronners) around, pulled her out to switch to a rinse bath and discovered.....a ton of fine silt in the sink. Her feathers had an incredible load of dirt on them, not mites! Never had this happen before, usually dustbathing even in damp dirt doesn't stick to feathers.
chickens just keep me running!
