Did a slight experiment today; last night the feeders were low-to-empty and they spend a couple hours past dawn in the hen house before I come to let them out - so when I go out there this morning at a little later than usual (it's pouring rain) I filled up the feeders (I have 4 of the variety...
I have hens that sing before they lay in right in front of the nests. I have hens that sing out wandering around, in this instance I think that's an escort request - Chuck does do this, sometimes. I have hens that sing after they lay, perhaps an escort request as well to go 'back out' to the...
...-- this new bluer one is! So the green egg layer remains a mystery - though perhaps its Cher. She's supposed to be an Olive Egger.
It has been *peaceful* the last few days with the chickens. Everyone has found their groove?? I've just noticed a vibe shift. Less crowing and when they do...
This thread is so pure, I love it haha
I'm gonna go hunt down my Quiche and Souffle, because they look just like https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/20250802_164141-jpg.4188787/
will show pics later today haha
I really was answering all the assumptions, not specifically to you <3
I think SOME hens like him, and some do NOT.
After reading this all this morning and realizing a few things, and discussing with my husband who listens to all my chicken worries, we just don't want to make any rash...
Just read that response after I posted!!
Okay, so yeah -- that is good to know. The hens that have feather loss DO in fact, steer clear of him and do not 'hang' with him.
The food thing?? I free range all day long and they forage, it is hard to say -- but when I toss treats or bring treats...
...@Shadrach 's hypothesis? Neither of them have feather loss. What is also true about Pudding and Custard is they are fast, small, and wily and *independent* and do not spend all day with the flock at all. They 100% do their own thing all day long.
So that could mean that they don't get...
He's been mating for over a year, so I don't think so, no.
Just saw Cracker get on Blanche (he is 18 weeks old) and he only touched once, too
I think Chuck is too extreme potentially
He is almost 18 months old -- which I know is the "setting" age for behavior.
When mating, he does 3 touches. Oscar only does 1. Maybe the boy is just taking too long up there, and hence, the feather destruction.
EVERY girl almost always fluffs/accepts. They DO like these boys and hang...
...aggressive so far - but whose to say? Oscar chases the bejeezus out of any hen -- sometimes he catches them, sometimes he doesn't. But what hen *likes* being chased to all hell and back? I cannot imagine they do.
Cracker and Cream who are 17 weeks old have both tried sneak/stealth mating...
GINGER IS TRYING TO GO BROODY AGAIN
I cannot! I'm just gonna let her sit on fake eggs, as soon as Tilly's eggs hatch, she will abandon those and try and help Tilly lolol
3 eggs were deposited with Tilly today -- WHEN do they do it? She's almost never off the nest lol I think Tilly tells...
lemme dig up the books - it's been awhile and they could have sourced new DNA - iirc, it was a team from Oxford that spearheaded DNA geneaology from matrilineal DNA. This was years ago. Found it;
Saxons, Vikings and Celts: The Genetic Roots of Britain, Ireland and America by Brian Sykes
His...
Y'all these cockerels/rooster.
Chuck is feeling so insecure some evenings. Oscar is trying to chase everyone. Cream WENT AT CHUCK full attack mode, but Chuck was busy flying up to the fence, and was oblivious to it LOL
the 10 week olds are crowing every morning like WHAT even Cracker and...
Fuzzi this was such a great idea - I have steps up to the nipple waterers but this doesn't help <1 week olds who can't use the horizontal nipples yet.
Was gonna buy a canary waterer this go around with Tilly's second brood and see how that goes... but I'm gonna be using your idea and put a step...
Ehhh, I wouldn't 'break' broodiness, I think it's a horrible way to treat a chicken in my own opinion, personally. Go with your gut!
I live in NC too so have the same heat index -- it's even WORSE inside the hen house by 2-3 degrees, I have fans going though so air movement helps.
I have 2...