"What the hell is happening to Lu?!!"
It was alarming.
She was losing her feathers rapidly and it seemed her sense with them.
We'd only had the chickens for a few months and were patently ill prepared.
Who'd have thought keeping them would be so perplexing?
Or is that a rhetorical question given our urban background?
That her bald spots appeared just as the weather was turning cold and wet couldn't be good, either, so we scrambled to figure out why this horror movie was playing out before our disbelieving eyes and what on Earth to do about it, if we even could.
Though she was by far the worst, it was affecting the other two, too.
It was alarming.
She was losing her feathers rapidly and it seemed her sense with them.
We'd only had the chickens for a few months and were patently ill prepared.
Who'd have thought keeping them would be so perplexing?
Or is that a rhetorical question given our urban background?
That her bald spots appeared just as the weather was turning cold and wet couldn't be good, either, so we scrambled to figure out why this horror movie was playing out before our disbelieving eyes and what on Earth to do about it, if we even could.
Though she was by far the worst, it was affecting the other two, too.
And they all seemed daft.
Personalities, behaviors, even eating habits, had all changed.
Really- wth?
Thank god for Google!
It has been our saviour time and again with regard to hen issues.
Turns out her shocking state was quite normal- molting, or as we Anglophiles like to spell, moulting.
Essentially, it's replacing old feathers with new, like a snake shedding its skin and we humans with our fingernails.
But knowing that makes it no less stupefying.
No one has ever been as gnarly as Lucy was that first time, and we're still waiting for the babies to undergo their turn; which should have been by now since they're 18 months old.
(*I spoke too soon. Obrahma's just begun making a mess on the porch and baring her bum.)
Personalities, behaviors, even eating habits, had all changed.
Really- wth?
Thank god for Google!
It has been our saviour time and again with regard to hen issues.
Turns out her shocking state was quite normal- molting, or as we Anglophiles like to spell, moulting.
Essentially, it's replacing old feathers with new, like a snake shedding its skin and we humans with our fingernails.
But knowing that makes it no less stupefying.
No one has ever been as gnarly as Lucy was that first time, and we're still waiting for the babies to undergo their turn; which should have been by now since they're 18 months old.
(*I spoke too soon. Obrahma's just begun making a mess on the porch and baring her bum.)
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| Obrahma is surprised and embarrassed over this situation |
Both she and Rhoda are still making eggs, which ceases during this process.
Large Marge has been the biggest loser so far this fall; she started dropping gobs of feathers all over the place a month ago, including her entire back tail, but you'd never tell otherwise.
She definitely (and thankfully) hasn't resembled the Frankenhen Lu was.
Despite looking like she had a pillow fight with herself, there were no visible patches on her at all.She's on her way back to normal, well before winter gets its hooks into their bones.
Both her feet and comb have turned pale, with the latter even shrinking substantially in size. I've read somewhere egg laying wanes with the loss of color in these extremities, or some such.
It was an interesting fact I've only seen the one time and perhaps should try to find again before sharing it vaguely.
But, screw it.
Extra protein is supposed to expedite the regeneration and make them feel a bit better, so treats of mealworms and hard cat food (our 'Chicken Guy's' recommendation) are dispensed.
'Chicken Guy' humourously refers to this period as "Henopause"- hahahaha
Pin feathers (the new growth) are tender and painful as they come in, and if messed with, can cause excessive bleeding. (This is bad, mmm'kay?)
They resemble little, white straws and are a welcome sight after what looks like a science experiment gone wrong.
Fresh plumage is sleek and full; their back-end, in particular, is so clean and fluffy afterwards.
There's also a white dust everywhere I've yet to identify but no doubt serves some importance.
When finished, they'll take the winter months off from egg production, which is generated by light.
Unlike many other farmers, we don't artificially illuminate their living quarters, but instead allow for the natural course of their biology to cycle.
Because CAM sells extra on the side to a co-worker, he'll have to give up the going-out-to-lunch pocket money, but that's probably just as well.
At least until the spring, when he can sneak his junk food again.
Pin feathers (the new growth) are tender and painful as they come in, and if messed with, can cause excessive bleeding. (This is bad, mmm'kay?)
They resemble little, white straws and are a welcome sight after what looks like a science experiment gone wrong.
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| Large Marge and a well camouflaged RC |
There's also a white dust everywhere I've yet to identify but no doubt serves some importance.
When finished, they'll take the winter months off from egg production, which is generated by light.
Unlike many other farmers, we don't artificially illuminate their living quarters, but instead allow for the natural course of their biology to cycle.
Because CAM sells extra on the side to a co-worker, he'll have to give up the going-out-to-lunch pocket money, but that's probably just as well.
At least until the spring, when he can sneak his junk food again.
*Disclaimer- If you've not already figured it out, I am no expert.
Everything I share are mere observations, trial and error and info we've gleaned from various sources.
Our chickens have truly been a learning curve and though we mean well, don't always get it right. (See: Brigid)
But that certainly doesn't keep us from always striving for the best result.
**WARNING**
Pictures of Lucy-Lu suffering great indignities below are not for the faint of heart!
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| Dodger is: A. Showing off his tummy B. Stretching C. Wanting out **D. Warning you to turn back! |
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| Zabby and Lucy-Lu (RIP) sunning themselves |
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| Lu, Brigid (RIP) and Large Marge begin mess making |
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| It's going to get worse, much worse |
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| Large Marge has never gotten out of control |
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| Movies bourne of morbid curiosity |
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| Can you believe she'd never stay still long enough for me to get a good photo? |
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| This is not the way for an Alpha-Hen to act |
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Poor thing
Sitting in front of the door shivering, shitting and dropping feathers was a popular activity
|
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| Her sisters didn't know what to make of her |
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| Guess what? Chicken butt! |
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| Starting to grow back in |
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| Mealworms + Kitty Crunchies = Feathers |
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| Almost back to normal |
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| Sleek and shiny new |
grew up with chickens, always good for entertainment as they always have something new going on, lol
ReplyDeletesigned the Bull