Recent content by Wild Iris

  1. W

    Free Range in Central Florida

    I free range in the boonies of Alabama. Our German Shepherd marks his territory and most of the 4-legged predators respect that; he does not actively guard the chickens. Forest hawks and snakes are our most successful predators so far. If you decide to free-range, you should expect to lose...
  2. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    That makes sense--thank you!
  3. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    I think it's time to reduce the flock size in preparation for this spring's babies. I have never ventured into the buying and selling of chickens, so any advice is appreciated. I have 3 males that are American Game (dad is Hatch, mom's line is unknown). They are unvaccinated and have been...
  4. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    My estimated dimensions may be way off; I don't know. I'm not super good at that sort of thing. It was built for three dogs, within a fenced dogyard. It had various doors/half-doors/coverings over the stalls at different times. The dogs lived happy lives and died and now our current dog sleeps...
  5. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Well, it's a 3-sided, 3-stall doghouse. The stalls are 2-2.5' deep, and there is a covered 2' deep porch across the front of them all. The middle stall (with doors) is being used by a chicken who is a bit lame and I thought might have merecks, but it hasn't progressed and it doesn't look like...
  6. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    So--cold weather coming tomorrow night after a lot of rain. Wind chills expected to be at 0. Over half my chickens roost in trees. The ones in the coop should be okay(I guess?)--out of the wind and rain, can bunch together for warmth. Plenty space for more in the coop, but the ones that...
  7. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Over half of mine roost in a tree every night; the others choose the coop and I shut the door at night. Most of the ones in the tree have never slept in the coop. They go to bed when they choose and start the day when they choose. Everyone has freedom to free range all day long, anywhere they...
  8. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    That is so interesting--I have noticed that sort of behavior! I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
  9. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    I have a small, moveable coop that will hold about 12 chickens for roosting & 2 nesting boxes. It's open during the day and I close it at night against predators. Maverick used to sleep in there with about 6-7 others, including juveniles & layer hens; he was the only older male in there. Last...
  10. W

    Roosters

    Thank you--this is helpful!
  11. W

    Roosters

    This is an old thread, but I hope you see this. I have 3 brother roosters (9 months old, half game), none of them are the Alpha. Recently two brothers got into a fight, one was killed, and the other ran off. The Alpha and the third brother suffered mild injuries in the fray, but nothing bad...
  12. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    It's interesting that a flock can be made by acquiring chickens and housing & feeding them together, but you can't divide up that flock as easily, once it's made.
  13. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Oh, that's interesting. So if I move Maverick out on his own, it should be to the next hill, or something like that.
  14. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Thank you so much for this insight; it makes a lot of sense. I didn't know they divided duties like this, but you are describing it very closely. Alpha stayed with his special ladies and Maverick managed the others, but had one girl that he was sweet on. I'll watch to see whether Iceman...
  15. W

    Landrace/adaptive breeding discussion

    Has anyone with acreage successfully created a 2nd flock with outcasts from the original flock? Current drama: I have three brothers who are 9 months old, half game. I keep an eye on them to make sure they never challenge the top rooster (American Game, Hatch). They sometimes spar between...
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