2018 Newbie Chat!

[Anna Ranieri]

I’m so glad I can help in some way.
I’m a little confused...didn’t you say the Sussex was 5 months old?
How old are Pedro and...I’m sorry I forgot the other girls name
The oldest one isn’t always the most dominant.
It’s all about personality, confidence and the desire to be the top bird.
Some simply don’t want that role.
Plus it usually doesn’t involve terrible fights.
I like that you’re willing to take it slow.
They’ll get used to seeing each other around.

Ohhh I see... I just assumed the elder would dominate - thank you this makes me feel better - I only have approx ages for Pedro and Jellybean - Pedro is 15/17 weeks and Jellybean is 14/16 weeks and the Sussex is 20 weeks, like I said I just assumed the eldest dominates - so there's a chance she'll stay top hen.... I really hope so, she is such a good leader, the boy who is head of our duck flock is a bit of a scaredy cat, Pedro on the other hand will go all out to protect her flock and looks out for our ducks too, she is gentle, fair and kind but would stand up to anything who threatens her flock - seen her do it loads.
I realise the visiting schedule we have planned for the first couple of days isn't the norm, we've been told it isn't necessary and isn't what others would do but as I previously said, that's more for us, we want time to get to know the birds ourselves first plus we want time to monitor and assess our gangs reactions - we did a simular thing when we introduced the new ducks, just worked really well for us and helped us gain the confidence we needed -- Well there is just over 8hrs to go until we pick them up, I am both nervous and excited at the same time - your support and advice is immense thank you wholeheartedly

 

[Anna Ranieri]

@ChooksNQuilts We have just walked in from getting our new birds - I made a mistake about the baby being hers, I misunderstood - She was broody and kept laying on all the eggs, my friend had one laid by the Buff Orpington who wasn't interested in hatching it so he gave it to her - she is beautiful and so is the chick. We are keeping them in with us for tonight - we were late getting home and want to wait till morning to put them out in the holding pen - she is sooo tame, can actually hold her - we have them in a makeshift cage for now, will put them in the holding pen tomorrow. I'm just waiting for my daughter to finish putting my grandson to bed then she will put a picture up - Chick is 12 days old, looks like a ball of fluff, so incredibly cute.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Landscaping update: added a juniper bush, hostas, wild strawberry, mulch, and some hand collected mountain quartz to help border.

Broody update:
Broody poop is so gross. Rose my broody went all day yesterday without relieving herself. Today she got up stretched her legs and went. It was about the size of my mastiff’s! And so so darn awful smelling.

Oooh also, my Buff Orp pullet laid her first egg at 21 weeks

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Landscaping update: added a juniper bush, hostas, wild strawberry, mulch, and some hand collected mountain quartz to help border.
View attachment 1515281
Broody update:
Broody poop is so gross. Rose my broody went all day yesterday without relieving herself. Today she got up stretched her legs and went. It was about the size of my mastiff’s! And so so darn awful smelling.
View attachment 1515285
Oooh also, my Buff Orp pullet laid her first egg at 21 weeks

So impressive! Looks great already and going to look a knockout once the plants are fully established.
Aww Rose is adorable, she has such a pretty face

 

[llombardo]

So my sister and brother in law stopped by today. This is the first time they met the chickens and ducks. I will say I was quite impressed with all of their behavior. The ducks stayed out and about and were curious, usually they go to the other side of the run. I always take advantage of socializing my young rooster to be. I warn people that they can be iffy and are known to attack. My sister walked right in. The girls scratched all around her and stood next to her. Prince showed complete neutral behavior. He wasn't phased and was his charming self. It is so important for him to trust me and vice versa. With that comes with visitors of all sizes. So far he has done well with kids and adults. I watch him carefully regardless, but he truly behaves like a gentleman.

 

[CannedMonster]

@ChooksNQuilts We have just walked in from getting our new birds - I made a mistake about the baby being hers, I misunderstood - She was broody and kept laying on all the eggs, my friend had one laid by the Buff Orpington who wasn't interested in hatching it so he gave it to her - she is beautiful and so is the chick. We are keeping them in with us for tonight - we were late getting home and want to wait till morning to put them out in the holding pen - she is sooo tame, can actually hold her - we have them in a makeshift cage for now, will put them in the holding pen tomorrow. I'm just waiting for my daughter to finish putting my grandson to bed then she will put a picture up - Chick is 12 days old, looks like a ball of fluff, so incredibly cute.

Oh I can’t wait to see pictures!
I’m so happy she’s so tame too!
Sussex are wonderful birds if my 3 Speckled chicks are any example.
Two of them, Sweetie and Elsie, are absolutely darling.
They visit with me all the time and don’t mind being touched.
The other one, Poppy, is pretty skittish.
My youngest Black Australorp, Charlotte, is also very friendly.

I really hope the Buff Orpington chick is female!

 

[CannedMonster]

Landscaping update: added a juniper bush, hostas, wild strawberry, mulch, and some hand collected mountain quartz to help border.
View attachment 1515281
Broody update:
Broody poop is so gross. Rose my broody went all day yesterday without relieving herself. Today she got up stretched her legs and went. It was about the size of my mastiff’s! And so so darn awful smelling.
View attachment 1515285
Oooh also, my Buff Orp pullet laid her first egg at 21 weeks

Do they free range?
I had to cage my hostas because the birds started eating them and would’ve killed them.
It looks really nice!
I’m not looking forward to experiencing broody poops lol.
The cecal poops are bad enough
I’m still waiting for eggs from Agatha & Emily; they’re almost 22 weeks.
I’m starting to think they might not lay until I rehome the Wyandottes.
Like maybe they feel kind of stressed or anxious.
I know some birds will stop laying due to things like that.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

So impressive! Looks great already and going to look a knockout once the plants are fully established.
Aww Rose is adorable, she has such a pretty face

Oh that’s my other EE “cotton” she was laying an egg when I found the buff’s first one. She photobombed it.

This is rose! This photo was taken at an earlier date this month before I let her sit on eggs.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Do they free range?
I had to cage my hostas because the birds started eating them and would’ve killed them.
It looks really nice!
I’m not looking forward to experiencing broody poops lol.
The cecal poops are bad enough

Yes they “free range” in a way. I fence off an area connected to the run for up to 8 hours a day. I just change the spot once they’ve destroyed the grass

 

[llombardo]

We are making progress. The smaller ones are finally getting curious when they hear me coming. They are also coming out a little more every day. Like I said before..the longest integration in chicken history.