2018 Newbie Chat!

[llombardo]

I know I asked this before but it was probably 50 pages ago.

How do I give a rooster a bath? Just plain water? Sir Duke is getting a spa day. Trimming nails and all. I was thinking about capping his Spurs with those cat nail covers. Has anyone tried that? I read somewhere it helps the hens backs and it makes sense. I was considering giving him a shot with the 12 girls. Should I wait until the younger ones are closer to laying? They are about 10 weeks now.

 

[CannedMonster]

I know I asked this before but it was probably 50 pages ago.

How do I give a rooster a bath? Just plain water? Sir Duke is getting a spa day. Trimming nails and all. I was thinking about capping his Spurs with those cat nail covers. Has anyone tried that? I read somewhere it helps the hens backs and it makes sense. I was considering giving him a shot with the 12 girls. Should I wait until the younger ones are closer to laying? They are about 10 weeks now.

Does he need a bath?
I would use plain water or a shampoo formulated especially for birds.
They have it at pet stores and on Amazon.
They even have bird shampoo for white birds.

How many mature layers are there in the group of 12?

 

[CannedMonster]

Guys here’s a video of Little Jack crowing.
I’ve realized his “affectionate” behavior was really him being aggressive towards me.
He bit me yesterday but it didn’t hurt at all.
I’m not going to be picking him up anymore.
I don’t want to encourage any more aggression than I already have.

 

[llombardo]

Does he need a bath?
I would use plain water or a shampoo formulated especially for birds.
They have it at pet stores and on Amazon.
They even have bird shampoo for white birds.

How many mature layers are there in the group of 12?

Yes he needs a bath. I am going to the pet store today, so I'll look--thank you for the tip.

There are 4 mature layers out there

 

[llombardo]

So he(Sir Duke)got his bath and he was a very good boy. I trimmed his nails and put the caps on the Spurs without any issue. He particularly liked the blow drying. He actually wagged his butt.

He is with the girls and no issues so far. He did his little dance and I sang "do a little dance..." The girls literally flocked to him. He has crowed a couple times and knocked over the food--his waddles are just huge. He's got something going on with those waddles, I almost think that maybe Prince grabbed him through the set up. This is his first time outside in almost a year. Does my heart good to see him enjoy what he is meant to Enjoy

Right to the food he went

Assuming his post

It's raining so tvere is a pile of chickens hiding from the rain

Trying to figure out how to fit his head in the bowl

Knocking it over to get to the food

 

[CannedMonster]

So he(Sir Duke)got his bath and he was a very good boy. I trimmed his nails and put the caps on the Spurs without any issue. He particularly liked the blow drying. He actually wagged his butt.

He is with the girls and no issues so far. He did his little dance and I sang "do a little dance..." The girls literally flocked to him. He has crowed a couple times and knocked over the food--his waddles are just huge. He's got something going on with those waddles, I almost think that maybe Prince grabbed him through the set up. This is his first time outside in almost a year. Does my heart good to see him enjoy what he is meant to Enjoy

Right to the food he went
View attachment 1771843

Assuming his post

View attachment 1771844

It's raining so tvere is a pile of chickens hiding from the rain
View attachment 1771846

Trying to figure out how to fit his head in the bowl

View attachment 1771847

Knocking it over to get to the food
View attachment 1771848

Wow!
His comb and wattles are amazing!
Now that’s something to be proud of lol.
He’s a very handsome boy.
He should be instinctively aware that the younger pullets not yet at POL are not ready for breeding and leave them be.
I am very excited and happy that you were able to find a way to get him out there and get him some ladies.
This is great news.

 

[llombardo]

I think they are driving him nuts. They are following him around everywhere. He has not tried to mate any of them, even the ones he can. I think I will leave this as is. I will keep Prince with the two older girls and if they go broody I might let them sit, that way the chicks will be raised with them and no integration really

They ganged up on him here..lol

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I am in love with this little man.

Today when I got home from work and went outside he was crowing a bit.
Then when he saw me he ran all the way across the yard to me!
And I rarely toss them treats so he just wanted to see me.
When he gets close to me he does this thing where he’ll crouch and stand very still and wait for me to pick him up.
When I do pick him up he stands on my arm stiffly and trembles all over.
I’m tempted to think that he’s scared but if he was he wouldn’t approach me on his own.
I think he’s just excited.
I enjoy him so much!
I’m so glad I saved him.
I’ve waited a long time to have a bird that enjoys my company instead of just tolerating me.

Awwwwwww bless him - how sweet! I agree it certainly sounds like excitement and as you've said he wouldn't run to you nor would he ask you to pick him up, he wouldn't even like you to pick him up if he were scared.
Pedro and Jellybean seem to like my company, both run to me as soon as they see me and if I've been away from them too long, Pedro taps on my bedroom window and makes a sound (which I don't know how to describe) to let me know she wants to see me. My daughter says they are like my shadow as they follow me around all the time I'm about. Lol

 

[Anna Ranieri]

This is Buffy, my Buff Orpington.
View attachment 1770095

This is Shadow (BR)... I think lol. I can only tell her and Betsy apart by their behavior. Shadow will usually run up to me and doesn’t mind being picked up although lately that seems to be changing. I’m going to have to put leg bands on them soon.
View attachment 1770099

Betsy (BR)
View attachment 1770100

Ginger (EE)
View attachment 1770102

Mary Anne (EE)
View attachment 1770105

Raven (BSL)
View attachment 1770114

Maggie (BSL)
View attachment 1770122

The only way I can tell Raven and Maggie apart is by their eyes.
Ravens eyes are darker.
I don’t know if they’ll stay that way or not but right now they’re identical...right down to the white claw they both have on each middle toe.

So those are my LF teenagers.
I’ll try to post my bantam teenagers tomorrow and hopefully get some photos of the broody raised chicks.

Gorgeous! Great name choices, I especially like the name Raven - is Raven male or female? - he/she totally suits that name.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Guys here’s a video of Little Jack crowing.
I’ve realized his “affectionate” behavior was really him being aggressive towards me.
He bit me yesterday but it didn’t hurt at all.
I’m not going to be picking him up anymore.
I don’t want to encourage any more aggression than I already have.

Wow who'd of thought it! His behaviour toward you sounded like affection - could it be a bit of both - affectionate but wanting to dominate you as well?
Love his efforts at crowing, his little squeak voice made me giggle.
I hope he calms down and doesn't turn aggressive towards you or your husband, he's so handsome and seems to have a lovely character.