2018 Newbie Chat!

[Anna Ranieri]

I think you made the right call.
One thing we frequently tend to forget is that Roo’s circumstances are unusual.
Chicks usually have a bunch of hatchmates to pal around with, nap with and cuddle with.
That’s why Roo constantly wants to be with Lilah.
It’s not so much that Lilah is/was “Mum” but that Lilah is the only flock Roo has known.
Roo has no hatchmates.
My 12 babies will always hang out together.
They’ll break up into groups of twos and threes and even forage alone sometimes but they always end up coming back together at nap time and especially roosting time.
Some are more independent than others.
And Lilah doesn’t chase Roo or peck (at least not often).
One drawback to house raised birds is that they don’t learn any caution regarding the dangers of predators. They just lose that sometimes.

I think Roo will be just fine but you have to realize it’s really tough on a single bird being introduced to the flock.
After only 3 days the flock will often treat a bird that used to be a part of them like a complete stranger.
That’s why it was important to me that they could see Agatha every day for most of the day.
And Lilah may start to peck and chase also when Roo is reintroduced.
Usually the dominant bird doesn’t because they’re secure and confident in their position.
It’s the lower ranking one that’s the worst.
I don’t say this to criticize or discourage but only to give you forewarning so you’re not surprised.
Is there a way you can section of a part of the garden temporarily for Roo?
Or even get a puppy play yard for her?
Actually, on second thought, that wouldn’t work because she’ll just try to get to the other chickens so she’s not alone.
I guess humans will have to be her flock for a while.

I am in no way discouraged nor do I feel criticized, as always I thank you dearly for valuable advice and I have acted on it with great results.
I took Roo out for a forage, Lilah was in the nest box laying so I stood guard over Roo and used your stick method on Pedro and Jellybean who were determined to try get at her. - The ducks paid no attention to Roo at all and still aren't
When Lilah came out to the garden from laying, Roo was so happy to see her and ran to her happily chirping Lilah was fine with her and hasn't minded Roo following her - but there is a difference and to me it is massive - Roo no longer cries when Lilah leaves her and has on several occasions left Lilah's side and went over to the other side of the garden by herself and foraged plus at a time when Lilah was out of sight and the other two went for Roo, Roo came running to me for protection, which is what I'd hoped for b'cos of Lilah no longer protecting her .
The whole flock are calm, and the success of this is such that I am going to leave Roo out with them all day and everyday but still sleep her indoors with her teddy bear she now has, plus when I have to go out and lock them in the run, I will put Roo indoors (with her teddy bear).
Lilah has had two nights in the hutch, Pedro and Jellybean don't like it but they sleep in the nesting compartment anyway, so are away from Lilah who by choice stays in the main compartment. There hasn't been any incidences so far, just is the two girls are frightened but I need them to get used to Lilah being with them because they will have no choice but to sleep together when the new coop comes.
I am thinking of sleeping Roo indoors until the new coop arrives and is up and running which if all goes to plan will be by the end of next week.
We've had a problem with Pedro who has found she can clear our 6ft fence and the only reason she didn't fly into the neighbours garden is because I tempted her down with treats - that neighbour has a dog, it isn't in anyway vicious but it would attack her if she went into the garden as it isn't used to chickens and as you know it is normal for dogs in the wild to make a snack out of a chicken.
My daughter and I have been watching videos on how to wing clip, and my daughter has successfully clipped Pedro's wings, which is why I am indoors at the mo, I have Pedro here with me and I am spoiling her with treats to help her over her ordeal, plus i am seeing how far she can fly by putting treats higher up, so far she hasn't managed to clear more than 3ft, but the real test will be when I have her outside, which I am about to do. We have moved away from the fence all things she could use to lever herself up and my hope is she won't be able to fly high enough to clear the fence
Lilah could if she wanted to, even with her wings clipped she could still clear the fence but has never shown any interest in flying and always chooses the lower roosts to roost on so I'm hoping and praying she won't ever bother
I do very much appreciate your advice and I never take offence because not only are you so well informed, you always have the health and welfare of the birds at heart and I thank you dearly for doing so

 

[llombardo]

Guys I'm addicted to updating...

I added 3 stationary windows(plexiglass) to the coop. I wanted them to have more light. I have to say since I expanded this-they are more comfortable and even quiet in the mornings until I get them out.

I added I guess something similiar to what I would call a kick board, so they can't kick mulch in. Just as I was looking at this pic I think I'm making that into a square with a piece of plastic(similar to a dog door) for the winter.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

I wonder about one of my EEs sometimes.
I haven’t raised a pea combed breed yet so I don’t know what early signs might present themselves.
Skye is very independent and acts like I’m challenging “her” when I touch her to pick her up. She does let me though but doesn’t enjoy it like Charlotte, Sweetie & Elsie.

There’s an EE thread on here that talks about the common EE colorations. Feather patterning is the easiest give away to what sex you may have. Other than that, coloration of the pea comb and size compared to the other EE. Cockerels are always bigger than the rest IMHO. There are two variations of the pea comb, one is single rowed and one is triple rowed. I used to think the triple rowed pea combs were male, but one of my female Ameraucana has a triple rowed pea comb. Another good indicator is stance. Pullets will walk and run lower to the ground, cockerels will stand pretty much upright all the time.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

So Angus decided to attack DH today.
Not a smart decision on his part.
DH sends aggressive birds to freezer camp.
He had gone into the coop to get the egg Emily laid and when he came out he passed Angus and then within seconds Angus rushed up behind him and kicked with his feet and claws.
DH kicked Angus back!
It was a glancing blow thank goodness but I noticed when I got home Angus was a bit subdued.
He’s unharmed but I really hope he doesn’t do that anymore.
For his own good!
Also, the egg had a hole pecked in it!
DH found it in the nest box that way.
I think one of the teenagers might have done that out of curiosity.
Thankfully they didn’t eat it and it’s a fresh egg so we put it in the fridge and we’ll eat it tomorrow.

Oh no! You can't let Angus go to the freezer camp! Surely you can train him? I don't know if this would work on chickens but maybe you could try the water in a spray bottle (or water pistol) trick, it works on a lot of animals even ducks who like water, it is the repeated fast action spray of water hitting them scares them - we have used this method on dogs and cats in the past and it always worked - my grandson took a few shots at the ducks and chickens with his little water pistol, sent them running every time - just thinking if your husband goes at Angus with it regardless of whether Angus goes for him it might make Angus think twice next time?

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Guys I'm addicted to updating...

I added 3 stationary windows(plexiglass) to the coop. I wanted them to have more light. I have to say since I expanded this-they are more comfortable and even quiet in the mornings until I get them out.

I added I guess something similiar to what I would call a kick board, so they can't kick mulch in. Just as I was looking at this pic I think I'm making that into a square with a piece of plastic(similar to a dog door) for the winter.

View attachment 1543396

This is lovely, looks very warm and comfy too

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Oh and by the way, the anti-feather-picking stuff is still working great! The others don't bother Amber at all anymore and she's getting feathers. I still put it on every few days, at least until the feathers are all in. Love her purple head, lol. I have to get a picture. I'm lucky she's so friendly too, it's not hard to put it on her. I give her meal worms afterwards. She's crazy about them.

 

[llombardo]

This is lovely, looks very warm and comfy too

I can actually say it is, since I had to fit in there with several NOSEY chickens to put the floor down. They were pecking my butt and legs(you know trying to clean me up). I would turn left and one was there looking at me--to the right another one. Very curious animals.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I can actually say it is, since I had to fit in there with several NOSEY chickens to put the floor down. They were pecking my butt and legs(you know trying to clean me up). I would turn left and one was there looking at me--to the right another one. Very curious animals.

A wonderful experience though I bet!
One of my hens likes to sit on my shoulder and preen my hair, my hair always ends up looking like I've had an electric shock lol

 

[llombardo]

A wonderful experience though I bet!
One of my hens likes to sit on my shoulder and preen my hair, my hair always ends up looking like I've had an electric shock lol

Anytime I have to bend over to do something you can count on them deciding my back is a good roosting spot. I then have to guess which one it is and try to get them off without having them fall to the ground.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Anytime I have to bend over to do something you can count on them deciding my back is a good roosting spot. I then have to guess which one it is and try to get them off without having them fall to the ground.

Lol, only one of mine does that, the same one who preens my hair lol - I had to have her wings clipped today though ( for her own safety - found she can clear our 6ft fence and there's a dog on the other side!) so I don't know yet if she'll be able to jump on my back any more - shame if she can't but obviously her safety is what is important.