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.

 

[WingItRanch]

Good news! My sweet girl is feeling much better. She looked pretty rough this morning so I have her some electrolytes (good advice, Jessie) and when I got home from work she's moving a lot better. She seems more skittish but I'm sure I would be too if I was attacked. Still no obvious injuries. She must have had a Fright Molt which explains all the feathers I found. The defense mechanism of tossing out feathers to escape is so fascinating!

 

[SJsChickies]

Good news! My sweet girl is feeling much better. She looked pretty rough this morning so I have her some electrolytes (good advice, Jessie) and when I got home from work she's moving a lot better. She seems more skittish but I'm sure I would be too if I was attacked. Still no obvious injuries. She must have had a Fright Molt which explains all the feathers I found. The defense mechanism of tossing out feathers to escape is so fascinating!

Poor girl! I'm glad she's rebounding!

 

[WingItRanch]

It was definitely a hawk that attacked. It was back this afternoon and when I took the utv out to the coop, I scared it. It was sitting in the tree right in front of the coop staring at the chickens. I chased it a bit with the utv and thought.. that'll teach it!

I figured it wouldn't come back after that so I let the girls out for just a little of supervised foraging. Bad idea..

Out of the corner of my eye, I see movement. The hawk is incoming fast and heading right for one of my Easter Eggers! I raised my arms and yelled "HEY!" and clapped. Well I don't think my crazy antics scared the hawk but it sure scared the chickens because they all took cover. Maybe not what I intended but still effective.

Guess I'll have to keep them locked up until it loses interest. Poor chickens.

Speaking of poor chickens.. while egg production on the other hens is still pretty strong, I haven't seen an Ancona egg in a while and somehow overnight she lost all her tail feathers! Poor thing looks hilarious without a tail.