2018 Newbie Chat!

[Geranium]

@Anna Ranieri thank you! They really do grow so fast.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Ohhh how lovely! They are gorgeous - would love to see photo's updated photos of all 4 batches - if you wouldn't mind that is.

I’ll get a pic of them tomorrow am. I have 17 as of now, so I have to wait for them to be roosting to get a picture of all of them. I free range when the weather permits, and my property is over an acre unfenced. I generally have chickens everywhere, even in my poor neighbors yard. So Photographing them is just a tad difficult. I currently have seven different breeds too, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Easter Eggers, Buff Orpington, Australorp, Ameraucana, Welsummer, & Olive Eggers.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I’ll get a pic of them tomorrow am. I have 17 as of now, so I have to wait for them to be roosting to get a picture of all of them. I free range when the weather permits, and my property is over an acre unfenced. I generally have chickens everywhere, even in my poor neighbors yard. So Photographing them is just a tad difficult. I currently have seven different breeds too, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Easter Eggers, Buff Orpington, Australorp, Ameraucana, Welsummer, & Olive Eggers.

Ohh wow 17 - You have done well! Great selection of breeds you have, I'm looking forward to seeing them

 

[CannedMonster]

I don't know where you read about not crowing in front of you but it isn't true, there is no evidence what so ever of roosters crowing in front of anyone is a bad thing (or even means anything. There is an old superstition about crowing in front of you being very bad luck, and that a person "shouldn't let a rooster crow on your doorstep" which would bring bad luck for the rest of your life and even death - so whether what you read came from that I don't know but I know enough about cockerels to know that isn't true.
I promise you I have no wish to offend anyone who may read this but one of my biggest hates is when humans provoke an attack then blame the rooster or label him aggressive or unsafe, it also gets at me how so many blame a rooster for doing what they are designed and programmed to do and accuse the rooster of being aggressive when all they are doing is their job. It is my belief that cockerels deserve respect and understanding and is the owners responsibility to learn, gain and understand everything about roosters and about keeping a rooster. I also believe that learning their rooster is a great help to ensure they don't provoke an attack. I have great admiration for you due to you doing what needs to be done to prevent any provoked attacks i.e. no longer taking carrier bags near him.
I am asking you please to watch this video and take note of everything this guy is saying, he is an expert who is renowned for his expertise and skill in breeding, keeping and training roosters. In this video he uses Gamefowl only because he had an aggressive bird but all this is across the board for all cockerels - I believe this video may answer some if not all your questions and concerns.

Excellent video!
I like that he mentioned that human aggression in game fowl is rare as it was mostly bred out of them for hundreds of years.
I have a huge issue with people who allow human aggressive roosters to breed.
I believe it can be genetic and I’ve also heard it has a lot to do with the mother.
Extremely confident “friendly” hens can produce aggressive sons.
Either way it’s important for anyone keeping males of any species to study them and understand their behavior.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

The ducks are loving the pool. They took to it right away, usually they think anything new will kill them.

View attachment 1573748 View attachment 1573751 View attachment 1573756

They are so pretty! You're making me want some ducks now too...can't tho, city won;t allow it

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Here are my two EE pullets (hopefully) View attachment 1574618 View attachment 1574619 View attachment 1574620 View attachment 1574621 View attachment 1574623 View attachment 1574637 , Candice and Amelia. They're 7 weeks today.

Beautiful birds!

 

[No More Empty Nest]

I'm just a little confused about treats. Are greens considered treats? Free range chickens eat as many greens as they want so I'm guessing no? I give mine some greens most days because there aren't any in their run any more. I'm afraid to just let them out in the yard because I'm not sure how I'd get them to come back when I need to leave. I don't want to just leave them out alone because of hawks that are frequently around here. Maybe I should just give it a try and see if meal worms would lure them back, lol. Can always get my husband to help round them up. Or my daughter BBZZZZTT, lol.

 

[Cbarr00]

@Cbarr00 that’s a cockerel. Here’s a couple pics of my two EE at 8 weeks. View attachment 1574543View attachment 1574544

That was my guess too. My husband has doubts.*eye roll* Our other two have way smaller combs like your two and the other 3 chicks are sex links so no doubt there. We just named the cockerel Bear before the male suspicion sunk in.

 

[Cbarr00]

Ok I have another conundrum now. I went out to collect eggs and noticed one of our EEs had this weird growth on her beak. Again, I didn't get very good pictures. I'll have DH grab her tonight. I can only spare a few minutes outside before the baby calls me back in.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Excellent video!
I like that he mentioned that human aggression in game fowl is rare as it was mostly bred out of them for hundreds of years.
I have a huge issue with people who allow human aggressive roosters to breed.
I believe it can be genetic and I’ve also heard it has a lot to do with the mother.
Extremely confident “friendly” hens can produce aggressive sons.
Either way it’s important for anyone keeping males of any species to study them and understand their behavior.

well said! I absolutely agree!