fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[Wyorp Rock]

Not something I've seen and adult rooster do with chicks that small.

Other hens, yes, but not roosters.

 

[fuzzi]

Not something I've seen and adult rooster do with chicks that small.

Other hens, yes, but not roosters.

That's what I was thinking.

That video just confirms to me that Samuel needs to go.

 

[fuzzi]

Samuel is gone.

I was putting it off. I saw him go into the chicks' brooder, not after the food but towards the chicks.

Then just a few minutes ago I was standing outside the coop and heard the chicks frantic cheeps. I saw Samuel chasing the chicks around the coop, not just a short chase but a pursuit.

I took him out behind the shed and removed him from the equation.

Now I want to go cry somewhere.

 

[Sequel]

Samuel is gone.

I was putting it off. I saw him go into the chicks' brooder, not after the food but towards the chicks.

Then just a few minutes ago I was standing outside the coop and heard the chicks frantic cheeps. I saw Samuel chasing the chicks around the coop, not just a short chase but a pursuit.

I took him out behind the shed and removed him from the equation.

Now I want to go cry somewhere.

I’m so sorry! Chickens are an adventure every minute aren’t they? You did the right thing as hard as that was.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Samuel is gone.

I was putting it off. I saw him go into the chicks' brooder, not after the food but towards the chicks.

Then just a few minutes ago I was standing outside the coop and heard the chicks frantic cheeps. I saw Samuel chasing the chicks around the coop, not just a short chase but a pursuit.

I took him out behind the shed and removed him from the equation.

Now I want to go cry somewhere.

I'm so sorry!

My heart hurts for you, I know what it's like to hang on hoping that a rooster will work out.

 

[NanaK]

I am so sorry!

 

[1muttsfan]

I would say two look like girls and a third is possible.

It's unfortunate about Samuel, but that kind of aggression is completely unacceptable.

 

[fuzzi]

I let the chicks and Martha out of the brooder about 8am. It's been rainy and chilly all day but when I checked about 1pm they all were out and scratching around. I fed them some chopped up hard-boiled eggs, which were appreciated. The other hens didn't approach the chicks, just ignored them.

I threw down a flake of fresh straw, wow!

 

[fuzzi]

I would say two look like girls and a third is possible.

I think blue and purple bands are girls, black chick and green band are boys, LC not sure.

Roll Call!

View attachment 3805098
Hatched 4/8/24 - Dominique/Sussex (boy)

View attachment 3805103
Hatched 4/8/24 - Speckled Sussex (girl?)

View attachment 3805105
Hatched 4/8/24 - Speckled Sussex (girl?)

View attachment 3805106
Hatched 4/11/24 - Speckled Sussex (boy?)

View attachment 3805108
Hatched 4/11/24 - "LC" Speckled Sussex (girl?)

What do YOU think?

Why did they all have to get yellow legs?!?

 

[fuzzi]

Follow up:

The chicks are not hiding close to the Martha any more, but exploring, investigating all areas of the run. I was pleased to see how active they were, despite a drizzling cold day. The older chicks will be two weeks old tomorrow.

This evening before dark I brought a small amount of shredded cheese to the run. The hens milled about, excited about an expected treat. What surprised me was the chicks joining in, dashing in between the hens to snatch a crumb here and there.

Total change in behavior 24 hours post-rooster.