Arizona Chickens

[Jadesun6]

Also more trees. Lots more trees.

That is for sure! I do miss seeing all the leaves turning colors in the fall. My grandparents would take me for drives to see them every fall.

 

[Jadesun6]

Thanks everyone!
@BlueBaby @Bobby Basham the talk happened right away, I was furious, I showed them the blood that was on my arms from her crest and told them this is the LAST time they will be on my property, they also saw the rifle my hubby had gotten out since we didn't know at first the source of the problem. Hopefully that sent a message. Also they can't dig in bc we put up a packed barrier both inside and out and have buried wire, etc so they should be pretty safe




The thing is I've had strays around and they never bothered the chickens, these rottweiler are bad news


@SonoranChick thanks she was tough, she's the bubus little watch dog, and she proved it today taking on 2 rotts! Roo is a lover boy and ran with his girls

Glad everyone is safe. I hope your talk will solve the problem. Do you think they we receptive? I hope they were. People can be real jerks!

 

[BlueBaby]

@DesertChic I'm sorry for your loss, and I agree with you on the selection for the healthy strong genetics, and not just throwing any 2 pairs together just to have chicks, especially if you are trying to sell any of the offspring. No one likes to receive bad birds.

 

[igorsMistress]

I had to say goodbye to this pretty little EE girl, Muffin, who passed quietly during the night.

View attachment 1264923

Muffin was one of the prettiest birds I've ever hatched (in my opinion) and I'm grateful to have had 2.5 years with her. She and her siblings came from another breeder's hatching eggs, and shortly after hatching it became crystal clear that the breeder had not culled for genetic problems. They were all pretty birds, both smooth feathered and frizzled, but not hardy and many with severely crooked toes and a variety of other issues. Several died early in life from prolapse shortly after they began laying and I decided early on to cull all of the roosters except one, who achieved pet status, since it would have been cruel and irresponsible to breed them. I allowed the hens to live out their natural lives as happily as possible, and to die naturally unless I saw them suffering unnecessarily.

Muffin had been obviously waning in recent days so I separated her from the rest of the flocks to keep her from being picked on. I fed her favorite foods to her until she stopped eating yesterday, at which time I made her as warm and comfortable as possible, knowing the end was near. She was very sweet and very beautiful, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to enjoy her beauty. She's now a part of the circle of life.

I'm a little sad, but not horribly so because I know she had a good life. I hope to feel the same way about myself one day (though hopefully no time soon). I shared this story not because I want attention or sympathy, but because I know everyone here will understand the sense of loss, and also because I want everyone to understand the importance of selecting your breeders for the right reasons. Prettiness of plumage isn't enough. A good breeder may not be the prettiest bird, but must always be the healthiest bird. I would have loved to have Muffin's pretty little chicks running around my yard, especially if they looked like her, but that would only have perpetuated an unnecessary problem and I would never want to create additional suffering for the sake of eye candy. Muffin and her siblings taught me a lot about genetics and responsible poultry husbandry, and I will always be grateful for all they taught me and all of the joy they brought to me, defects and all.

This is a beautiful tribute to a very pretty girl. Thank you for sharing.

 

[meetthebubus]

@DesertChic sorry for your loss sweet muffin, glad she had a good life

 

[SonoranChick]

I had to say goodbye to this pretty little EE girl, Muffin, who passed quietly during the night.

View attachment 1264923

Muffin was one of the prettiest birds I've ever hatched (in my opinion) and I'm grateful to have had 2.5 years with her. She and her siblings came from another breeder's hatching eggs, and shortly after hatching it became crystal clear that the breeder had not culled for genetic problems. They were all pretty birds, both smooth feathered and frizzled, but not hardy and many with severely crooked toes and a variety of other issues. Several died early in life from prolapse shortly after they began laying and I decided early on to cull all of the roosters except one, who achieved pet status, since it would have been cruel and irresponsible to breed them. I allowed the hens to live out their natural lives as happily as possible, and to die naturally unless I saw them suffering unnecessarily.

Muffin had been obviously waning in recent days so I separated her from the rest of the flocks to keep her from being picked on. I fed her favorite foods to her until she stopped eating yesterday, at which time I made her as warm and comfortable as possible, knowing the end was near. She was very sweet and very beautiful, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to enjoy her beauty. She's now a part of the circle of life.

I'm a little sad, but not horribly so because I know she had a good life. I hope to feel the same way about myself one day (though hopefully no time soon). I shared this story not because I want attention or sympathy, but because I know everyone here will understand the sense of loss, and also because I want everyone to understand the importance of selecting your breeders for the right reasons. Prettiness of plumage isn't enough. A good breeder may not be the prettiest bird, but must always be the healthiest bird. I would have loved to have Muffin's pretty little chicks running around my yard, especially if they looked like her, but that would only have perpetuated an unnecessary problem and I would never want to create additional suffering for the sake of eye candy. Muffin and her siblings taught me a lot about genetics and responsible poultry husbandry, and I will always be grateful for all they taught me and all of the joy they brought to me, defects and all.

Thank you for this, it was really well said. I'm sorry for your loss, she was gorgeous and obviously a very special little creature

 

[BlueBaby]

I just found this thread here about sexing chicks that look's like one to follow.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-sexing-chicks.1217676/

 

[FeatherPugs]

@MagicChicken Indeed she was a very pretty girl. Sorry for your loss. AND thank you for being a responsible breeder.

 

[MagicChicken]

@MagicChicken Indeed she was a very pretty girl. Sorry for your loss. AND thank you for being a responsible breeder.

@FeatherPugs the bird belonged to @DesertChic , not me.

 

[Btruax]

We had some light sprinkles during tge day, a short rain in the early evening. It's drizzling so far this morning. I hope we get something measurable over the next couple days.

We got sporatic drizzles here, over the course of the day, bit windy, but not bad.