feeling peaky

our chickens have all been moulting recently. This Light Sussex always does so very dramatically and spends several weeks looking like a feather duster which has had a bad experience with a lawn mower. She has grown most of her new feathers now, but the moult does take its toll on chickens and she is still looking rather pale and sorry for herself. Hopefully she will pull through OK and get a bit more colour in her comb, but she is the oldest of our hens, so we will just have to wait and see.

I went to Sam's school this evening to watch a rehearsal concert for the National Concert Band Festival competition that his band are playing in the weekend after next. Whenever I see music there I am always blown away by the talent of so many of the boys. We went for a quick bowl of pasta at 'Ask' in Warwick and then back to school for an evening devoted to helping him decide on his GCSE options. GCSE options??? My baby!! Where is the thime going???

When we got home Graham and Angus were out and it looks like someone must have been letting off fireworks again because the dog had weed in the kitchen and completely destroyed a cardboard box which was waiting to be taken to the tip. Poor thing. I was expecting that there might be more fireworks this weekend, but not tonight.

To see the same chicken looking in much finer fettle see this: http://365project.org/jantan/365/2013-01-21

[🐞Lucy Dolittle]

Aww bless her. A bit of cider vinegar often helps. Our Sussex lights lived until they were about 10.

[Jo]

Having seen the difference between the two pictures I see what you mean about feeling peaky, nice shot though.

[KAL]

Love the before and after photo! She does look like she has been through a lot. Wonderful details and focus! She is a beautiful Light Sussex and will be back to her healthy self soon.

[Lynne]

Great close up. Sure would hate to get on his bad side, though.

[Issi Bannerman]

Lovely close up, although she does look a bit sad. Love your photos and stories Jan!

[Beryl Lloyd]

Ooh ! she does look a little peaky in this shot doesn't she -- hope she perks up soon !

[bernadette mcelligott]

she does look a bit pale compared to her 'before' shot which I faved btw,

[Pat Knowles]

A good shot of iron would be good for her perhaps but can you give iron tablets to chickens !!

[Anne Mary]

Poor girl! - I've been leaving the cat with the TV up loud this week!

[Lisa Pouncy]

Time goes so quickly. My eldest son is 23 today!! Can't believe it!! She does look a little pale and I hope she gets well soon. I love the focus on her eye, I never realised chickens' eyes were so detailed xx

[Mary Downing Hahn]

This chicken looks like she's recovering from a rowdy all night hen party. Look at those red eyes!

[Tremerryn]

Poor thing, she looks as if she's liking the sympathy though.

[Tremerryn]

Just looked at her in fine fettle - she is magnificent.

[Judith Greenwood]

Bless her! Fireworks worse last night- massive ones close up. Nige and I sat in traffic for ages on the way to see Adam in an indoor hockey competition. We waited until they'd got in to the semis, got stuck in traffic so only saw 5 mins and then I couldn't see around all the enormous boys watching. They lost 1-0 so we slunk away before he saw us (he told us not to bother going!)

[Jan Hall]

@judithg aah nice mummy. Hope he didn't come home and say he'd won!

[Hazel]

She does look a bit peaky, hope she'll be OK - lovely detail in the shot and can see she's a handsome chicken.

[Judith Greenwood]

@jantan Hahaa no - couldn't hide the disappointment!

[☠northy]

love your feather duster and lawn mower description ;p excellent portrait of this elegant lady in such a sad state... wonderful focus on the eye!

[Lee]

it does indeed look down in the dumps, you've captured this so well, great shot.