Relaxed Farming - our farm in your classroom

Our White Leghorn (last mentioned on 29th January) is starting to look a little more presentable again as her new feathers grow after her severe moult: these three pictures show her progress over the last ten days. The first photo is from 29th January, the second the 3rd February and the last one was taken today. You can see how the new feathers that are coming through are so much whiter. Notice also that when the 'quill' starts to show, there is no sign of the actual feathers (insert in photo one). In photo two you can see the start of the feathers appearing out of the quill and in photo three the feathers are beginning to fan out. These young feathers are called 'pin' feathers: looking at the shape it is easy to see why!
Quills are incredibly strong (in fact they used to be dipped in ink to use as pens) and they protect the young feathers as they grow and develop. The quills are attached to the bird under the surface of the skin and the base of them will bleed if cut (you can see the pinkness in the quill in the first photo). The feather itself has no blood or nerves running through it - hence why when we cut the ducks' wings to stop them flying (see 27th January), it did not hurt them. Feathers are made of a substance called keratin, the same protein found in hair and nails. It doesn't hurt to cut your hair or nails either (unless the scissors slip and catch your ear or fingertip instead!!! Ouch!).