UPDATE - SHE IS NOW SICK - suggestions welcome -is-there-a-chance-a-production-breed-will-never-produce-an-egg-see-pics

[Bawkbok]

is she eating better for you?

Yes, she is eating as normal - chows first thing in the morning upon emerging. When I put the old cup waterer back in, they all drank and drank and drank. I just can't get the silly think clean even when taking it apart, there is black mold that is forming around the interior spring parts which is why I do not like that waterer. Waiting on a different model and type to arrive - will just keep trying new ones until I find one we all like and I don't have to invest so much time in cleaning. The search for the perfect waterer continues.
Goldie is still molting and looks pitiful, like she's lost weight, maybe it's just all the feather loss that makes her look leaner. Thanks for the inquiries, all.

 

[mrskenmore]

Yes, she is eating as normal - chows first thing in the morning upon emerging. When I put the old cup waterer back in, they all drank and drank and drank. I just can't get the silly think clean even when taking it apart, there is black mold that is forming around the interior spring parts which is why I do not like that waterer. Waiting on a different model and type to arrive - will just keep trying new ones until I find one we all like and I don't have to invest so much time in cleaning. The search for the perfect waterer continues.
Goldie is still molting and looks pitiful, like she's lost weight, maybe it's just all the feather loss that makes her look leaner. Thanks for the inquiries, all.

I find a molt always makes them look lean lol- I am 10 years in to chicken keeping and still in searching for the perfect waterer. In the meantime since it is hot why don't you put in a bowl of water so they have access to another clean option. Glad she is eating normal- that is a great sign.

 

[Bawkbok]

I find a molt always makes them look lean lol- I am 10 years in to chicken keeping and still in searching for the perfect waterer. In the meantime since it is hot why don't you put in a bowl of water so they have access to another clean option. Glad she is eating normal- that is a great sign.

Yes, I added an open water source for them which I clean and refill several times a day as the gusty winds (10-15 mph) blow a lot of particulate matter around and it gets dirty. I'm sort of obsessive about them having clean water.
Goldie is free ranging as normal but she moves very slow following the others when she used to be the one leading. She just doesn't have her usual enthusiasm energy level so I attribute this to molting. She acts normal otherwise and seems to have fully recovered from her lengthy illness. The amount of feathers have decreased and it no longer looks like a pillow fight in the run, but I find them scattered about the yard after free ranging. This is my first year with chickens and my first molting experience. I love her to pieces.

 

[Squawkers]

I'm sort of obsessive about them having clean water.

Oh good, I'm not the only one!!

 

[mrskenmore]

Oh good, I'm not the only one!!

Seriously... then they go and drink out of a muddy puddle lol

 

[Squawkers]

Seriously... then they go and drink out of a muddy puddle lol

YES!!! it kills me

 

[mrskenmore]

YES!!! it kills me

That's how they mess with us- I'm convinced!!

 

[mrskenmore]

Yes, I added an open water source for them which I clean and refill several times a day as the gusty winds (10-15 mph) blow a lot of particulate matter around and it gets dirty. I'm sort of obsessive about them having clean water.
Goldie is free ranging as normal but she moves very slow following the others when she used to be the one leading. She just doesn't have her usual enthusiasm energy level so I attribute this to molting. She acts normal otherwise and seems to have fully recovered from her lengthy illness. The amount of feathers have decreased and it no longer looks like a pillow fight in the run, but I find them scattered about the yard after free ranging. This is my first year with chickens and my first molting experience. I love her to pieces.

Molting turns them into zombies. My lavender orpington is molting currently- she doesn't even free range when I open the door to the outside world filled with bugs, worms and grass.. the mopey behavior usually only lasts 2-3 weeks. Keep us posted on Goldies progress!

 

[Bawkbok]

Molting turns them into zombies. My lavender orpington is molting currently- she doesn't even free range when I open the door to the outside world filled with bugs, worms and grass.. the mopey behavior usually only lasts 2-3 weeks. Keep us posted on Goldies progress!

Thank you for this - makes me feel better that her odd behavior is a molting thing and not her going south again. I'm sort of paranoid about her having a set back.
Yesterday she found a sunny, sandy spot in the yard and dust bathed in it for about an hour. Her best bud, the Astraulorp is always right by her side for the sunny spots while the Orptington hangs out nearby sort of pacing and hanging around, looking at the sky, acting like a rooster would I guess. She never really sun bathes.
I had to return to the kitchen for a few and when I looked out the window I thought I had dead birds as they were laying on their side not moving!

 

[Bawkbok]

That's how they mess with us- I'm convinced!!

No kidding. We have a large stump where a tree was recently cut down and all three of them had their heads inside of it for something. I didn't know it had a hole in it and when I went to look after they were done, I saw a standing puddle of water in it - water must have tasted like Oak. Crazy birds.