Recent content by Wild Iris

  1. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Long-handled net at night?
  2. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    That's kind of brilliant. How do you manage the logistics of that? I mean, can you predict when a certain hen will be broody so that you can order the eggs for that week? I hear that you shouldn't add an egg to the clutch after she begins sitting on them, so it seems like a very...
  3. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Me too! I had read that chickens would eat flies, but so far they've shown no interest.
  4. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    My husband is rehabilitating our land (removing invasive plants, re-introducing fire, etc.) and I was walking today through an area that is looking particularly good. Chock full of bee balm, native mint, wildflowers, huckleberries, etc. I was thinking what a good habitat this would be for the...
  5. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    That's very interesting, especially about no.2 and his place in the flock. You have expressed this so well. I had a hazy idea of this and was trying to explain it to my husband: why it matters how mature, as a whole, the flock is--rather than just each chicken individually. This brings up...
  6. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Interesting! Seems like I'm always hearing crows in the distance--maybe I can find a way to bring them in a little closer. Do they pose a danger to the chickens?
  7. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Thank you for going into such good detail; it's so helpful to be able to visualize a realistic, long-term goal concerning this. Is it ever a problem to have that many roosters together in a flock? Some people say you can only have one rooster or they will kill each other, and other people say...
  8. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Any of you with hawks, talk to me about how you and your flock handle them. I am in the middle of woods, and really thought hawks preferred more open spaces; I figured I would have more trouble with raccoons and snakes. This past week I have lost four young ones (two chicks and two...
  9. W

    Choosing a cockerel

    Well, yes. I appreciate the input. Regarding a rooster the first year: I have actually already had two different roosters. That's why my hen could hatch six fertilized eggs; she had to have a rooster to help her out with that. The first rooster was mean to the ladies and so I rehomed him...
  10. W

    Choosing a cockerel

    This is my first year with chickens. I have a mama hen who, seven weeks ago, hatched six chicks. She is a good mama and all six chicks are healthy. They free range all day and, like mama, roost in a holly tree at night. I feel certain that three of the chicks are males; two are females; and...
  11. W

    Bloody 5 week old roos

    Thank you so much for responding! Over the last week, I separated my fighting three and periodically re-introduced them (multiple times) until the fighting stopped. They still have short bouts and stand-offs, but nothing like the first time. I'm not yet sure which is the alpha, since the...
  12. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Quick update, just for those interested in reprobate chick dynamics: The chicks were all getting along well, so I let Rufus out again at 5pm. He immediately caused a ruckus by bounding roughly into the middle of their circle, and was violently chastised. Two minutes later it happened again and...
  13. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Yes, I feel this way, too. It's certainly a learning experience. Your take on production chickens makes sense. I already had to get rid of a "Starlight Easter Egger" rooster for being mean to the hens. It's a good question; I would like to know. I let Rufus out just now--rain was pooling in...
  14. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    I'm glad to know about the behavior timeline. I'm very tempted to get rid of Rufus right now, since he has a history of impudence. I hesitate, though, because I'm really feeling my inexperience. I remember @Florida Bullfrog said he regretted culling too quickly in his flock, that there was...
  15. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    This is my husband's theory. He says that brains and aggression might be necessary for a Game, but production chickens can be stupid. Combine stupid with agression and there's a big problem. In your opinion, would that be the "winner" or the third brawler? If they all continue peacefully...
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