The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[armorfirelady]

Ok has anyone ever seen this before?

I've never seen a hens feathers change colors before. She is not molting. Could it be something with her feed? Maybe the fish meal?

My PRs feathers get lighter by the end of summer before their fall molt but I figure its bleaching from the sun. Stella's is not from the sun since we haven't seen much of it yet.

Ideas?

 

[Sally8]

Ok has anyone ever seen this before?

I've never seen a hens feathers change colors before. She is not molting. Could it be something with her feed? Maybe the fish meal?

My PRs feathers get lighter by the end of summer before their fall molt but I figure its bleaching from the sun. Stella's is not from the sun since we haven't seen much of it yet.

Ideas?

If anyone is going to do something out of the ordinary it would be Stella. lol

 

[mlowen]

Ok has anyone ever seen this before?

I've never seen a hens feathers change colors before. She is not molting. Could it be something with her feed? Maybe the fish meal?

My PRs feathers get lighter by the end of summer before their fall molt but I figure its bleaching from the sun. Stella's is not from the sun since we haven't seen much of it yet.

Ideas?

It's for sure not stain from dirt?? Stella is definitely one of a kind!

 

[armorfirelady]

If anyone is going to do something out of the ordinary it would be Stella. lol

That is the truth !!! At least her head feathers are finally starting to grow back in

I think you picked her out especially for me

It's for sure not stain from dirt?? Stella is definitely one of a kind!

Nope def not dirt. I thought it might of been the peat moss they dust bath in but its the feather itself. And yes she is unique

 

[Leahs Mom]

@armorfirelady

It's hard for me to tell from the photos.... can you post some before and after photos that show the contrast?

 

[Leahs Mom]

I remember one of the guys that shows told us a long time ago that he adds some lard to top-dress his feed to help prep his birds for show. The extra animal fat makes the feathers and skin healthy, shiny, etc.

Every now and again I top dress with lard or make a feed cake with some lard in it and be sure they all get some. Maybe adding a bit of animal fat would make a difference in her feather condition.

 

[armorfirelady]

@armorfirelady

It's hard for me to tell from the photos.... can you post some before and after photos that show the contrast?

Here is Stella over the winter

And here she is today

 

[Leahs Mom]

Do you have a current photo of her face and head? How is the color in the wattles and comb?

 

[armorfirelady]

I remember one of the guys that shows told us a long time ago that he adds some lard to top-dress his feed to help prep his birds for show. The extra animal fat makes the feathers and skin healthy, shiny, etc.

Every now and again I top dress with lard or make a feed cake with some lard in it and be sure they all get some. Maybe adding a bit of animal fat would make a difference in her feather condition.

They have homemade suet all winter available. And believe me Stella has def ate some. She doesn't miss any food that is put out.

But maybe this weekend I will make some with other lard I have and give her some more. They have been getting plenty of meat protein also. I was wondering if maybe she is getting ready to molt? I have never had a BR before so no idea if maybe the feathers change color before a molt? She has only had her juvie molt so far.

 

[armorfirelady]

Do you have a current photo of her face and head? How is the color in the wattles and comb?

Ahhh not from today but they are a bright red. She is laying almost daily, has her normal large appetite and acting her normal, bossy, loud self