This morning my husband stared at me blankly and replied, "Chicken #47?"
The victim, of what looks like a failed late night plucking, was my dear little Fats. She was practically bare and loosing feathers with every shake.
Them's some sorry looking chickens - Spike and Fats, respectively
That's right. Dear little Fats is actually in the midst of The Dreaded Winter Molt. She is a wreck but is in good company with Spike and Angel. Of course they aren't any of the nameless rabble but rather all good layers, and named hens to boot.
The cold weather continues so we had to put them in a coop with a heat lamp. Sure we could have just sent them to The Pot... but Angel is my favorite of all hens, Spike is one of the best layers, and Fats is... well... Fats is Fats and a good snuggler. We think last week's crazy warm snap is to blame especially since Miss Duck is trying to lay her first egg (way too early). If we can't keep them warm with the heat lamp I'll have to become one of those crazy people who buys little sweaters for her chickens.
In other chicken news, and to Goodwife's glee (I'm sure) and to AL and Naomi's inspiration, we finally finished up the creepy meat chickens. Oh. Mi. Gosh. They were huge. This was the smallest of the mondo-meats:
Our last four went to the block and now we'll see to the task of shoveling out that side of the turkey house, setting Shine King of Barncats on that last rat, and then have us some good eating.
And a final note...
To our pals in the flood zone in Australia... golly what an ordeal! We've been watching on the news and our hearts and prayers go out to all of the families affected. Remember that we are all in this together, hang in there friends.
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12 comments:
Why on earth do they molt in the middle of winter...th eworst possible time. One of ours has just finished molting. Good luck with those naked little hens of yours.
Thanks for the link! I have been looking for this book ever since we started watching the Victorian series on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msw6jWhJocw&feature=player_embedded#!
hi Mr H! Thats what I am watching too! Dontcha love it??? And thats where I got the idea to look for the book.
Oh sorry everyone.. check it out:
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL23427575M/The_book_of_the_farm
This is the online (free) version of Stephens remarkable 'The Book of the Farm' written in 1844. It tells how to run a farm thru all the seasons.
Apparently great minds think alike (ha!) and Mr. H and I are both watching (online) a British series about 3 scholars who go and live/work on period farms. Its amazing -- and much better 'reality tv' than half nekkid 20-somethings being snarky, lazy, and hooking up to win the title of Biggest Realworld Jackass Bachelor Millionaire Housewives.
That chicken size is leaving me in shock and awe I must say.
WOW.
I think I'm going to pick up ten from the local Rural King come spring and grow them out. IF it works well then I'll order from the hatchery.
Mom accidentally got one last year and she said it amazed her on how fast she grew. (Miss Rollie Pollie) She was not amused at the Rhode Island Reds in the Buff orpington pen. Seems they were obnoxious birds at best and met their demise early. (they killed the cornish girl too!)
But I am inspired now. :D
Now if I could only make myself take care of the spare quail male issue.
Wow. Thank you for posting the link about the Victorian Farm. I have just started it and it is fascinating!
I'm hoping to get a farm as soon as I can convince the husband that it wouldn't be the worst thing to ever happen to him. I almost have him convinced to let me have chickens in our current home. Small steps.
We watched episode 25 this morning (really funny) and are loving every minute of this great series.
Tee hee hee! I am dancing with glee over here. We had creepy legs for supper last night and creepy breasts for lunch yeterday........as you well know, we are ALL about the creepy meats at my house! hehehe
Naomi, I'm telling you those meats are something! Miss Rollie Pollie.. hee hee hee
hi Spudknit! WOW those bunnies you have are amazing! Show your hubby some fuzzy chicks - that will sell him on the farm thing!
;-)
Hey GW! We will be having creepy meat for a WHILE! Wow! I'm gonna roast one of them tomorrow for supper. I think it will fill a roasting pan. Go meat! (even if it is creepy)
Molting chickens, they better not do that here in the Winter because our coop has no electricity. Thanks for the video link, it may give me some ideas.
hey Chai Chai! ha! if the do just put them in a small coop and make 'em snuggle
;-)
Yeah she said she was wondering if it was ill because it was growing so fast, then she realized what it was.
Miss Rollie Pollie wasn't the problem like the RIR's were though.
Glad to have the buff that will let my brother cuddle him.
:D
Off to bed and we're getting alpacas in in the morning. Guess I need to work on my blog again.
Now that is a creepy chicken. I was always saying if I fell my creepy meats would devour me but I believe that one would trip you first!
I had cranberry chicken stirfry last night. YUM!!
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