Last Sunday I spent a lot of time outside because fall had finally arrived. I was hanging out with the chickens for a while after I let them out of the coop, just watching and observing to make sure everyone seemed to be acting like their normal selves. I do this every morning just to be certain I can notice changes early on and detect if anyone has an injury or signs of illness. They all looked so pretty with the fallen leaves around so I had to snap a few shots.
I mentioned here that Buttercup had started molting a few weeks ago, but her molt has been very light. She really hasn't lost many feathers at all. Poor Jobin is another story. Here she is looking her beautiful, fluffy self last weekend.
And here she is yesterday, only two days after I first noticed feathers falling off her.
She only has one lone tail feather left (which I'm sure will be going soon) and her bottom, chest, and belly are pretty bare. She's in the porcupine stage of her new pin feathers just breaking through the skin. I've read this is painful for them, so I'm not petting or picking her up right now. It's pretty sad because she is visibly depressed at the moment. It happens with the heavy molters. They are in pain from the new feathers poking through and to make it worse, they look horrible, too! I'm going to be giving her some extra protein over the next few weeks to help her feather production along. She is going to look so gorgeous with her bright new feathers!
~Tammy
This post shared with Camera Critters, Farmgirl Friday and Farm Photo Friday
Poor Jobin. I didn't realize that molting was painful - that's kind of sad. Very nice pictures, though!
ReplyDeleteYep, it makes me sad! Hopefully her new feathers will come in quick.
DeleteGreat golly, that last photo gave me the willies! Kudos on your photography skills, but sad face for myself when I close my eyes to sleep tonight....
ReplyDeleteHaha! Too funny. Hope you didn't have any bad dreams!
DeleteOh, poor Jobin! She does look rather dejected about the whole thing!!
ReplyDeleteYep, she's pretty down in the dumps :( I wish I could help!
DeleteMy poor little grand chicky.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell her "grandma" says hi :) Maybe it'll cheer her up!
DeleteThis is so interesting, as I know nothing about molting. I've always wanted chickens and fresh eggs, but we live in the desert with too many predators. They'd never make it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have lots of predators, you just have to make sure your coop and run is predator-proof. There are lots of things you can do like using 1/2" hardware cloth (NOT chicken wire because animals can rip right through it) and burying the cloth to prevent animals from digging up under the run. Or you could get a guard dog! Ours has been amazing.
DeleteHi Tammy, Nice to meet you. Thanks for your nice comment and for following me. I will follow you back.
ReplyDeleteI love all the different chickens you have. So pretty with them walking on all the colored leaves.
I love the cow with the beautiful fall trees in your previous post. Congratulations on winning the note cards and for the interview.
Have a nice Sunday!
Thank you, Barb! So nice to meet you as well. Hope you have a great Sunday, too :)
DeleteThese are great picture. I didn't know the new feathers hurt coming in, awww. I bet she will look great when her new ones come in though.
ReplyDeleteThey always look so great with their new feathers. Almost like brand new chickens haha. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteWow! I never even knew chickens had to go through such a process. Kinda like getting molars, I guess. Who knew I would one day be looking up the moulting process of chickens. Ha! I just Googled it. Very interesting. Have just gone back through many of your posts -- I see that you are vegetarian, too. I have bookmarked the black bean burger. Sounds delish! So funny watching your animals eating the quesadilla. Hope you are having a great day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy! Thanks so much for visiting. It is crazy what these poor chickens have to go through each year! Glad you enjoyed some past posts and recipes :) I usually post a new recipe each week and they are always vegetarian, so check back! Have a great day!
DeletePoor chicken! I feel bad for her. I've always wanted chickens but the hawks have become more prevalent in the past year. I had one walking around my backyard one day!
ReplyDeleteYikes! Hawks do fly overhead here, but our roosters warn everyone and they all run and hide. Plus our big guard dog wouldn't let one come near them!
Deletewow, great photos and I love learning things. thank you for sharing xo
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by! Hope your Monday is off to a good start :)
DeleteOh poor Jobin! My Easter Egger Sarah has been molting and she looks vaguely embarrassed all the time. I keep reminding her that this too shall pass. I love your great photos!
ReplyDeleteAwww, poor Sarah! Jobin knows how she feels :) Thanks for the nice compliment and for stopping by!
DeleteTammy, I love your chickens! So fluffy and pretty - I love the color variations. Are any of them Easter Eggers?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica! We do have one Easter Egger named Isis. She was the one in last week's Feathered Friend Friday who was trying to cuddle up next to Tubs on the roost :)
DeleteOurs are going through molting too. I had to buy eggs the past couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteLuckily our new pullets have been laying for a couple months so we still have a steady supply of eggs!
DeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteYour post brought back memories of when I lived on a farm. Wonderful "feathered friend" photos! I hope Jobin is feeling better soon.
Thanks, Donna! I appreciate the nice comment :)
DeleteLove those photos - molting hens are so pathetic and a little funny looking!
ReplyDeleteYep, they are crazy looking. Last night David said Jobin looks like a white porcupine hehe.
DeleteWonderful photos, Tammy! Your chickens look so pretty against the back drop of those colorful fall leaves!
ReplyDeleteWe have a parakeet, and I know when she molts she is itchy and miserable. She chatters away on her perch, complaining bitterly, and we sit close by and let her get her frustration off her chest. It seems to help:)
Happy Monday!!
Thank you, Valerie! Yesterday I sat by Jobin and asked her how she was and let her talk to me for a little while. I'll have to do it again soon :)
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