Ali James' Garden Chickens

[Ali James]

I don't know Ali. You seem like a natural to me

Ahh thanks, I have a little knot of anxiety in my chest at the moment, about getting it right and looking after them, and hoping they don't upset the neighbours. I'm sure it will be fine in a few days.

 

[Ribh]

Thanks Drumstick - can you (and anyone else) tell me more about what you mean by her reading a watch?

Joke.
Relax. You're doing great. You'll all be fine.

 

[drumstick diva]

Ali James post # 63 of 82 Echo is looking at the watch on your wrist. Maybe it's a fitbit instead. I'd have to ask her.

 

[Ali James]

Ali James post # 63 of 82 Echo is looking at the watch on your wrist. Maybe it's a fitbit instead. I'd have to ask her.

I feel silly now ....
On first reading I thought you might be referring to some complex chicken psychology about someone keeping guard / standing watch over the flock...

 

[Ribh]

I feel silly now ....
On first reading I thought you might be referring to some complex chicken psychology about someone keeping guard / standing watch over the flock...

Drumstick has a very wacky sense of humour!

 

[MaryJanet]

When I've got a spare half dozen eggs, I give them to the neighbours to keep them pro-chicken

 

[Ali James]

This morning when we opened the pop door, Echo was the first to stick her head out and Delta wasn't far behind. Blue got impatient and barged through the two of them, climbing over their backs to actually get out! Everyone seemed quite happy, there were no signs of squabbling in the coop over night.

I cleaned up the coop and run in about ten minutes and as I was about to leave, Delta went up into the nest box. Being a bit stand offish, I thought it was best to leave her to it and not hover. Half an hour later, there was an egg in the box!

We noticed Echo was back in there too just as we were going out and when we got home again, another egg! Clever girls, and we feel blessed.

 

[Ali James]

Should I be worried about this?

Blue and Charlie have both been opening their mouths wide and making a bit of a retching movement in their throat. They are both still exploring the run, scratching about, eating and drinking etc. But it just looks a bit odd - any thoughts from any of you would be very welcome.

 

[Kris5902]

Should I be worried about this?

Blue and Charlie have both been opening their mouths wide and making a bit of a retching movement in their throat. They are both still exploring the run, scratching about, eating and drinking etc. But it just looks a bit odd - any thoughts from any of you would be very welcome.

Could they be panting? Sometimes mine do that in the heat, I’ve noticed it is more common in the smaller combed breeds... my Red Layers, Sammy and Mr Marans with thier giant combs almost never pant, despite all of me Marans fluffiness and being black. My smaller combed ladies and Chickie Hawk with his little pea comb frequently pant.

Beautiful ladies you have there! I love the sheen on Echo. I’ve also noticed that the second in pecking order is often the most outgoing, like a lead cow, even though she’s not the most dominant!

 

[Ali James]

Hi @Kris5902 thanks for your thoughts. I didn't think it could be panting as the day has been quite mild heat wise. Plus there is a definite upwards pull from their throats when they do it; a bit like when a cat has a hairball.

When we rounded them up for bed, I had a feel of what I think is Blue's crop - I have no frame of reference at all - for all I know I could have been fondling her boobs! I will check again in the morning.

Silly girls repeated last nights performance of all trying to roost on the roof of the coop, and Delta repeatedly pushed everyone off one by one. I was expecting it to be much harder rounding them up this evening, as I thought they would have wised up to us. But it was pretty straight forward again. We didn't have to chase or grab anyone, we literally just picked them up of the roof and posted them through the pop door.

Its been lovely watching them again today.