Does this look like a molting chicken?
That is what I thought until a seasoned chicken momma suggested they were too young to molt. Danni you threw me into a panic! The girls will be a year old in May. They have been laying quite steadily (8-10 eggs per day) until this week and are just now starting to slow down in production. They have not lost primary feathers, but feathers around their neck and derriere. "I know Gladys I promised I would not show you in a compromised position, but we need to get to the bottom of this!" ( I apologize Gladys, I am not trying to be funny at your expense.) Notice the bald red patch, the majority of my girl's derrieres look like this. The vent area appears quite normal.
The girls all have clear eyes, bright feathers, combs and wattles. I handle them daily, have not seen any pecking going on, coughing, or anyone acting strange.
They all venture out daily, (weather permitting) are busy scratching, bathing and herding Winslow Homer. Their feed is organic and daily treats of fruit and vegetables given. They all appear quite normal and nothing out of character.
" Georgia you would tell me if there was hanky panky going on in that coop at night"?
The communal bath-happy girls.
So last night I crawl into bed with all my chicken books and begin to read. I reassure myself that the girls are fine and Mother Nature is just having her way with them. With that I turn out my light and just as I am about to drift off, I hear honking, honking at 11:30 at night. I recognized that honk, it was Miss Pip and I knew Miss Pip had just laid an egg. Really, 11:30 at night, I mean come on- some of us need our beauty rest and I won't mention any names!
So all you chicken mammas out there please offer your opinion, the girls and I are waiting. Thank you.
That is what I thought until a seasoned chicken momma suggested they were too young to molt. Danni you threw me into a panic! The girls will be a year old in May. They have been laying quite steadily (8-10 eggs per day) until this week and are just now starting to slow down in production. They have not lost primary feathers, but feathers around their neck and derriere. "I know Gladys I promised I would not show you in a compromised position, but we need to get to the bottom of this!" ( I apologize Gladys, I am not trying to be funny at your expense.) Notice the bald red patch, the majority of my girl's derrieres look like this. The vent area appears quite normal.
The girls all have clear eyes, bright feathers, combs and wattles. I handle them daily, have not seen any pecking going on, coughing, or anyone acting strange.
They all venture out daily, (weather permitting) are busy scratching, bathing and herding Winslow Homer. Their feed is organic and daily treats of fruit and vegetables given. They all appear quite normal and nothing out of character.
" Georgia you would tell me if there was hanky panky going on in that coop at night"?
The communal bath-happy girls.
So last night I crawl into bed with all my chicken books and begin to read. I reassure myself that the girls are fine and Mother Nature is just having her way with them. With that I turn out my light and just as I am about to drift off, I hear honking, honking at 11:30 at night. I recognized that honk, it was Miss Pip and I knew Miss Pip had just laid an egg. Really, 11:30 at night, I mean come on- some of us need our beauty rest and I won't mention any names!So all you chicken mammas out there please offer your opinion, the girls and I are waiting. Thank you.
