It is, as Winnie the Pooh would say, a very blustery day. In years gone by, this would not have been too much of an issue for me – I would have settled down with my editing, putting not so much as my nose out of the door. But not so now – keeping livestock means that you have to consider their needs before your own and you must venture outdoors whatever the weather. In my case, it’s only ensuring the welfare of four chickens, which doesn’t take long, but it does make me appreciate the dedication of all those farmers who care for their animals in all conditions 365 days of the year.
So, out I went in my pjs, wellies and raincoat first thing this morning to let the hens out, check their water and feed and give them a handful or two of corn. Out they pop, whatever the weather, and start to scratch around. They seem to prefer to drink from a puddle rather than their water bowl when it’s wet – I guess the mud gives it flavour!
The wind ruffles their feathers and they get soggy in the rain, but most chickens are waterproof and well-insulated and they have a dry house with perches and nest boxes, so they don’t have to be exposed to the elements. Unfortunately, however, naked chickens are not so protected from the elements and so we need to keep an eye on poor Tiffany.
A week ago she looked like this:
Bye-bye feathers
Just a couple of days ago, she looked like this:
A bad-hair day, chicken-style
And now, she’s getting lots of feathers on her back, but her rear-end is rather exposed:
I think she might need some big pants if those feathers don’t grown back soon
Hopefully, it won’t be too long before she returns to her warm and feathery glory like Anna in the background here:
Back: Anna, post-moult; Front: a very tatty Tiffany
Chickens with full plumage, like Esme below, may get ruffled, but are simply not bothered by a day like today:
A fully-feathered bottom weathering a very blustery day
So, here’s to all those dedicated people who are out in the fields and on the hills caring for their cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry whatever the weather.
The Snail of Happiness 
Camryn
/ November 9, 2015Why is she losing feathers?
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015They moult to some extent every year, it’s just that this year, she’s going for it with a vengeance!
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Camryn
/ November 9, 2015Okay, I knew that they shed feathers, but that seemed a bit much. I’m glad she’s not sick!!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015She’s never shed this many before, so I am keeping a careful eye on her in case it results in her getting a chill. Luckily, the new feathers do seem to be growing back quickly, so I think all is well.
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Camryn
/ November 9, 2015Well I wish you both well!!
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katechiconi
/ November 9, 2015Hear, hear! She’s obviously in good health, since the new feathers are growing in very quickly.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015Yes, she’s not sulking like they do sometimes. Are you any further ahead with Chookonia? I’m so looking forward to reading about your flock once they arrive.
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katechiconi
/ November 9, 2015There is a good bit of physical labour involved in the fencing, never a favourite in this climate. It keeps getting put off. I’m rapidly approaching the point of wanting a mobile ark so we can just get the Girls in and started… Fencing can come later. If it were all down to me…
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wscottling
/ November 9, 2015Have you ever seen this video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll187f27Pxg
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015I haven’t watched that for ages… brilliant!
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Mrs P
/ November 9, 2015Your not tempted to knit her a pair of bloomers yet ?? LOL
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015It may come to that!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ November 9, 2015Since I had all my hair cut off I’m looking a bit bedraggled and wonky, just like your your poor girl. Luckily for us both regrowth is fairly rapid and soon we will be returned to our full glory – except mine will be a different colour 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015I gather you are a little more colourful than before… are you going to the whole hog?
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thecontentedcrafter
/ November 9, 2015I am half way to au naturale. I like the colour, but not having short hair.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015I’m impressed with Fran’s transformation – her short hair looks fabulous… I think I’d look bald if I had mine cut off – there’s precious little of it in the first place!!
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nettyg
/ November 9, 2015They’re not a pretty sight when moulting, in fact, look downright neglected:) I have 3 heirloom girls who also have a moult in autumn, which is not so bad here, as it’s still quite warm. But the hen house and yard end up looking like there’s been a massacre. My chooks can be seen from the back lane if they’re out in the yard, and I often get people asking if they’re ok, are they sick? I don’t think it’s known generally that there’s heirloom breeds, and then Isa Browns, which were bred for battery farming and just lay intensively, non stop, poor things. And yes, life is different when you have livestock, whether a few chickens or a barnyard full, no sitting indoors ignoring the weather.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 9, 2015Mr Snail went out this evening to put our girls to bed – we share the chores – I’m quite glad that I don’t have other animals to deal with too.
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davidprosser
/ November 10, 2015Here’s to all of you, pj’s and wellies brigade included, who go out to care for the animals before themselves. I’m hoping this new hit by Stormy Gale and the Flying Slates is over soon.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 10, 2015Yes, it’s been a bit wild, hasn’t it? Seems to have calmed down now… and Jon did the honours with the hens this morning 🙂
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sarahfoto
/ November 10, 2015Our pretty Esme is starting to look like a scabby rat 😀 Most of the others have grown their feathers back finally having shed the green paint they’ve been sporting all summer…
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 10, 2015Our Esme moulted very early ans so is looking lovely now… too old to lay eggs any more, though – she’ll be 6 years old soon.
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Lori Fontanes
/ November 11, 2015The hard moult is harder for the owner to watch than the hen. 😉 PS, happy to hear I’m not the only poultry owner who wears pjs, boots and a coat to let her girls out in the morning. (Except in snow storms, mind.)
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 11, 2015Fortunately, we rarely have snow here!
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Kitty
/ November 15, 2015I’ve not blogged for years until today and have loved reading this post and people’s responses to this.
I have 8 hens and our oldest – Queenie, has just gone through a moult which left her with a bare bottom too. Bless her, but I have to say she is looking more like a Queen today with the new growth that has come through.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ November 15, 2015It’s amazing how quickly their feathers grow back, isn’t it? Tiffany is already looking much better and no bare skin is showing any more… and my word it’s a good job with the wind and rain we’ve been having over the past few days!
Welcome back to blogging, by the way… I’m just off to visit your site…
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Kitty
/ November 16, 2015Thank you, I maybe slow to begin with but I’ve been inspired by so many people here. I’ll see what I can fit in and around work.
Yes we’ve had the rain too but the winds have been so strong it’s a surprise they haven’t given it a ‘name’! However, the Ladies (hens) have just got on with their normal day to day life though they’re not a fan of torrential downpours.
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