This has been mine and my fiances go-to website for info since our first flock of chickens that arrived late January. About time I join, right? We currently have 18 pullets, 1 rooster. 4 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Barred Rocks, 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 3 Ameraucanas, 3 Buff Orpingtons, 4 Australorps. Bruce Wayne is our rooster and he is a huge Australorp.
We originally had another Barred Rock hen but she was killed in a dog attack about a month ago. I cried so hard! I felt like a 3 year old. Sadly, it was my lab Leo that had gotten a hold of her and shock her up like a stuffed animal. We buried her in a marked grave and swore never to let the chickens and the dogs be together unsupervised. Maybe a month or so after that, we were sitting on the porch on our lunch break watching the girls graze. I heard birds cry, and in a blink of an eye a hawk and flew down and pinned one of our Ameraucanas! At least 3 blue jays were flying at the hawk. We took off into the yard and the hawk flew away. I didn't see a chicken in sight. Lucille my wyandotte came out and made some shaky clucks after I called the girls to come out for treats. The other chickens heard her and regrouped. They were shook up! They ran from brush to porch to more brush until the all settle under heavy trees. I counted and everyone was there. Thats when we decided to get a rooster.
Bruce has been our newest addition. He seems to be fitting in just fine. Aside from the occasional peck on the head, sometimes not letting go, he is very sweet to the girls. He always lets the girls get treats first and he makes sure to let them know when he has found something good to eat. He is also very vigilant. He has such a strong cluck, it gets their attention. LOL
I love the girls so much!! When I drive up they run to me, wings flapping, and happily cluck! Its so much fun having chickens.
We originally had another Barred Rock hen but she was killed in a dog attack about a month ago. I cried so hard! I felt like a 3 year old. Sadly, it was my lab Leo that had gotten a hold of her and shock her up like a stuffed animal. We buried her in a marked grave and swore never to let the chickens and the dogs be together unsupervised. Maybe a month or so after that, we were sitting on the porch on our lunch break watching the girls graze. I heard birds cry, and in a blink of an eye a hawk and flew down and pinned one of our Ameraucanas! At least 3 blue jays were flying at the hawk. We took off into the yard and the hawk flew away. I didn't see a chicken in sight. Lucille my wyandotte came out and made some shaky clucks after I called the girls to come out for treats. The other chickens heard her and regrouped. They were shook up! They ran from brush to porch to more brush until the all settle under heavy trees. I counted and everyone was there. Thats when we decided to get a rooster.
Bruce has been our newest addition. He seems to be fitting in just fine. Aside from the occasional peck on the head, sometimes not letting go, he is very sweet to the girls. He always lets the girls get treats first and he makes sure to let them know when he has found something good to eat. He is also very vigilant. He has such a strong cluck, it gets their attention. LOL
I love the girls so much!! When I drive up they run to me, wings flapping, and happily cluck! Its so much fun having chickens.
Being vigilant with dogs is crucial if they are not used to them. That was a very lucky escape for your girls with the hawk attack. Hawks can be a real pest, sounds like Bruce is setting in well though with his duties. 
