The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

This is the first time I've ever had a bird molt this extremely all at once....yes, it is her natural molt.

 

[tjo804]

this is "Harry" our hairy, fuzzy, Silkie roo. He wondered out by the dog who has never before bothered a chicken.
THE FLEEKY- FLACK DOG PLUCKED HIM!
this happened about 2 weeks ago no teeth marks no broken bones he just pulled out all his feathers.

I am wondering if anyone knows if he might grow back his beautiful silkieness?

 

[tjo804]

This is the first time I've ever had a bird molt this extremely all at once....yes, it is her natural  molt. 

it gives me hope for Hairy

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: I've had one hen that would get a bare back in the summer presumably from mating. But I really don't think it matters how they got bare.

What I found was that they don't just arbitrarily grow feathers in. But when it's molt time, they will grow feathers in.

The bare back girl was that way 2 summers in a row and both times, when natural molt time came, she grew in a beautiful new set of feathers on her back.

So next time Hairy's molting naturally, I'd expect him to replace those feathers.

 

[CoopChick719]

And here's one of her babies!

Sorry I couldn't resist!

 

[ronott1]

And here's one of her babies!

Sorry I couldn't resist!

That is so funny!

 

[rowerjen]

Oh...and just in case anyone was wondering...Yep....I can reach my tail.

Reminds me of a fan dancer.

So this could get interesting. I let the flock out to putter this morning, and of course it started to snow.

The juniors hunkered down under the trees, while the seniors hung out behind the wood shed.

Now the juniors are hanging out in the seniors coop, and the seniors are still hunkering behind the woodshed, and the snow is getting deeper. I'm guessing things will sort themselves out by nightfall but I am wondering if I'm going to have to shovel a path for these silly birds to get home, and whether the juniors will lay claim to the seniors coop rather than subject their dainty toes to the snow. Although this one doesn't seem to care.

 

[LindaB220]

@armorfirelady

How is your situation currently? I was wondering if the deep litter in the chicken hoop was soaked through too. I'm thinking it's time to build a little hill next summer to put the hoop on. Wonder if that could be done w/ a load or 2 of wood chips from the tree trimmer? The main problem I see w/doing it that way is that it would be very easy to dig under for a predator to get into the hoop at night so that probably wouldn't be the best foundation....

O well...just thinking out loud here.

I have my new coop on a slight slope. When it rains, it comes right inside and out the other. Still sopping wet. I'm going to buy bags of soil and put around the outside. North and East at least. I may not even take it out of the bag, just put it down. A least for the winter. I already have a six inch bottom on the door so it would be fine.

 

[Leahs Mom]

And here's one of her babies!

Sorry I couldn't resist!

Well....now that you mention it.....
It was supposed to be a surprise. I was waiting for them to feather out. But I guess the secret's out.



Starting a new breed standard. Hatching eggs should be available next fall.

 

[LindaB220]

Greetings old friends. I'm back, for at least a while.

Ron, good to have you back. We did miss you!!!!