Anyone have an idea what I have?

[featherhead007]

I just returned from the barn/coop. (Here is my rooster story this am) Went to pick up my Cochin roo, "Jaffar", and BEN, my 10 lb Buff O roo jumped on to my back. My third roo BLU (avater) stood there watching, as if to be laughing at me. All my 3 roos are very loving and tame, but there I stood, holding one roo, wearing another. And a third laughing at me! Gonna be a great day!

 

[Malfean]

They'll do well in the fenced yard, hopefully the yard doesn't suffer too much! Once they get a bit larger they'll be safe from the cats, but dogs are my big worry.

We have a nice large dog. Half Shepard - Half Retriever, named Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper likes his backyard, and he hasn't snapped at or gone after the chickens. What he DOES do is scent everything like a crazy person now. Before the chickens, he would only scent near the house. Now I see him 'making the rounds' along the fence line. Could be because with the scent of Chickens in the air, predators are looking for them, but I haven't seen a single one yet. Mr. Cooper does not appreciate violators. And at 105lbs, he would take on just about any of them (wouldn't want him to, but his bark is legendary).

 

[featherhead007]

We have a nice large dog. Half Shepard - Half Retriever, named Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper likes his backyard, and he hasn't snapped at or gone after the chickens. What he DOES do is scent everything like a crazy person now. Before the chickens, he would only scent near the house. Now I see him 'making the rounds' along the fence line. Could be because with the scent of Chickens in the air, predators are looking for them, but I haven't seen a single one yet. Mr. Cooper does not appreciate violators. And at 105lbs, he would take on just about any of them (wouldn't want him to, but his bark is legendary).

I'm trying to figure this out: You have a Half Shepard- Half Retriever. So when you throw the stick to fetch, he comes back with a sheep? Just asking.

 

[Malfean]

I'm trying to figure this out: You have a Half Shepard- Half Retriever. So when you throw the stick to fetch, he comes back with a sheep? Just asking.

Well if he did, we'd play catch a lot more, and I would be a stick-thrower full time on a farm because he would be re-appearing magically with a sheep. Sheep are expensive, but if I'm getting magically appearing sheep, I could sell them!

 

[featherhead007]

Well if he did, we'd play catch a lot more, and I would be a stick-thrower full time on a farm because he would be re-appearing magically with a sheep. Sheep are expensive, but if I'm getting magically appearing sheep, I could sell them!

Could happen.

 

[Onyxflock]

Oh my, those are so beautiful!! And thank you for your kind words. I have spent the past months crash-coursing on how to care and provide for chickens. I check their feed every day, change the water every other day, and clean the coop every Sunday. I also give them 'play time' outside of the Chicken Run that I built. I know my biggest issue is that my Chicken Run is 12x10, and I have 20 chickens. Its too small, according to people here, and I cannot disagree with them because they're far more knowledgeable than I am in these things. So one way I like to off-set the space issue is that in the afternoons and evenings after work, I will go outside and let them out of the run to move about the yard. I stay with them, of course, and the yard is fenced in. So far, this seems to work, and when the sun goes down, they all head back to the Run and Coop anyways where I happily lock them in for the night (Coop, always locking up the Coop). I don't know how well this will work by the time they are full sized, but I will do what I can to keep them safe, and happy!

I've found a similar schedule works pretty well with my girls. Like all of us, they seem to need a little time to run. At dusk they're happy to come home.
In your smaller area you might add a ramp up to another roost area or small platform to give them another level of space.
One other trick I've found us to leave a board or rr tie on the dirt by the wall of the run. Give it a week or so and then turn it over, all kinds of bugs crawl out, and the hens get after them. Works in the yard too, under our pavers and rock borders.
Kind of amazing where all the bugs come from, but there's always more if I leave it long enough.

 

[featherhead007]

I've found a similar schedule works pretty well with my girls. Like all of us, they seem to need a little time to run. At dusk they're happy to come home.
In your smaller area you might add a ramp up to another roost area or small platform to give them another level of space.
One other trick I've found us to leave a board or rr tie on the dirt by the wall of the run. Give it a week or so and then turn it over, all kinds of bugs crawl out, and the hens get after them. Works in the yard too, under our pavers and rock borders.
Kind of amazing where all the bugs come from, but there's always more if I leave it long enough.

And it works!!

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

View attachment 2247766
This is 'toast', so named by a 14 year old because she reminded my daughter of that morning breakfast toast. Any idea what breed she is?

Black sex link

The white with black neck feathers is a Brahma. They are quite a bit larger than other hens.

Brahmas have pea combs and feathered legs, that chick has a rose comb and clean legs.

 

[Onyxflock]

Black sex link

Brahmas have pea combs and feathered legs, that chick has a rose comb and clean legs.

Then she might be Sussex. They're similar looking with the black neck feathers

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Then she might be Sussex. They're similar looking with the black neck feathers

Sussexes have yellow legs and a single comb.