Wing It Ranch

[WingItRanch]

Depends on if it's a hard or soft molt. Some of mine will continue to lay thru a soft molt, some do some don't. A soft molt you'll barely tell, you'll see feathers and wonder where they're all coming from.

Hard molts they stop completely, these ones are rough on the girls. I try not to handle them too much, and I'll offer electrolytes and canned tuna in water for a protein boost.

I actually have unsalted sardines in spring water (Trader Joes) that I've been saving for them in case they need a little pick me up.

I know the Ancona is hard molting. I think her going broody kickstarted it.

 

[wrathsfarm]

The tuna and less handling is a good tip! I’ll remember that when mine go in to a hard molt.

Those new feathers coming in are super painful. It's a miserable time especially if it's a late molt with cold temps.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I actually have unsalted sardines in spring water (Trader Joes) that I've been saving for them in case they need a little pick me up.

I know the Ancona is hard molting. I think her going broody kickstarted it.

Ahhh...yes to the sardines. Good stuff.

 

[WingItRanch]

Well, we had a predator attack. I didn't see a thing but when I went to put everyone back in the run for the night, I found this in front of the barn...

I immediately counted and all 18 were present. The feather pile was brown so I knew it had to be the 2 welsummer hens, 1 of the EE hens, or the 2 OE pullets. I could tell instantly it was the super friendly one that I was just saying lays brown instead of green. She was hunched up and hiding in the run. I checked her over really good and couldn't find any injuries except a small cut on her comb. Thank God she escaped underneath the barn!

I got her to eat some mash and she regained some energy but poor thing looks pale. I'll check on her first thing in the morning before work.

The only thing I found was this feather. Google says it's crow. I do have a few crows that hang out but they stay away from the chickens and scare the hawks off. This is just speculation but maybe a hawk attacked and the crow came to chase it away?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, we had a predator attack. I didn't see a thing but when I went to put everyone back in the run for the night, I found this in front of the barn...
View attachment 4191473

I immediately counted and all 18 were present. The feather pile was brown so I knew it had to be the 2 welsummer hens, 1 of the EE hens, or the 2 OE pullets. I could tell instantly it was the super friendly one that I was just saying lays brown instead of green. She was hunched up and hiding in the run. I checked her over really good and couldn't find any injuries except a small cut on her comb. Thank God she escaped underneath the barn!
View attachment 4191479
View attachment 4191480

I got her to eat some mash and she regained some energy but poor thing looks pale. I'll check on her first thing in the morning before work.

The only thing I found was this feather. Google says it's crow. I do have a few crows that hang out but they stay away from the chickens and scare the hawks off. This is just speculation but maybe a hawk attacked and the crow came to chase it away?
View attachment 4191484

Could be. Our neighborhood crows have done an amazing job in keeping the hawks away.

I hope your sweetie bounces back quickly!

 

[thistlewick]

That's always a scary thing!! She learned a lesson today, a good one, and she's young and resilient and will probably be alright.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I'm glad your lady is ok! She is probably in shock, some electrolytes in their water tomorrow should help quite a bit. I've seen an uptick in hawks lately, especially young ones.