Why is it...?

[bobbi-j]

Here's something I've wondered about.

Why is it that that one particular bird that you're most fond of is the one that gets hurt or sick or taken out by a predator?

Always. It's always the favorites that get taken first. When we used to have barn cats, I'd name one or two that I liked. They were always the ones that would get run over, taken by coyotes, or whatever.

Chickens are the same. I just don't name them anymore. I try not to make pets of them, but it seems every year, there's one that makes a pet of herself. I had a BLRW that was the most regular broody ever. She's come up to me every day and follow me around. How could I help but pet her? She invited it! She didn't squat, just hung out with me while I did chores. She got eaten by a raccoon in the middle of the day. She was in the coop with her 5-week old babies at the time. They all survived. I have had others that did the same thing.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

I had a broody last month, she was hit hard by the broody bug and her first time too, I don't ever think she will go broody again, being a Rhode Island cross. She is a small boss of a large flock and rules it with iron spurs, literally she has spurs. Once I broke her of the broodiness she went into a hard molt and looks so raggedy and I feel so bad for her, looks like someone peppered her with buck shot in the chest with all the missing feathers.

 

[bobbi-j]

I had a broody last month, she was hit hard by the broody bug and her first time too, I don't ever think she will go broody again, being a Rhode Island cross. She is a small boss of a large flock and rules it with iron spurs, literally she has spurs. Once I broke her of the broodiness she went into a hard molt and looks so raggedy and I feel so bad for her, looks like someone peppered her with buck shot in the chest with all the missing feathers.

They can look pretty pathetic when they go into a hard molt like that. I have had chickens look like they've been almost completely plucked. Poor things! A naked chicken running around is a pretty sad sight.

 

[MartinsPoultry]

It is but no one messes with her I have seen this tiny hen beat up a full grown Turkey, and if someone does mess with her she has 4 Guinea fowl body guards who patrol near her at all times.

 

[Bernerbee]

Why is it.... that my pullets after 6wks.of laying eggs, their yolks are not as dark orange as they were the 1 st few weeks?

 

[RUNuts]

Diet. What are they eating now? What did they eat then? More grass, pumpkin or marigold extract?

May need to increase the FD&C #5 for darker colors.