Battling Extreme Desert Heat

[lindaroot]

I also mist the roofs of the coops.It seems to help.

 

[FridayYet]

That's a good idea Linda, I think I'll do that tomorrow when I water down the run.

98 degrees today, feels hotter in the sun because of our altitude. Chooks were feeling it, with lots of panting and wings held out so I'm glad they have a ton of shade. The Legbars, with their big floppy combs were handling it better than everyone else, as usual.

Put the treats in the fridge before taking them out to the run - carrot tops, tomato cores, etc. They liked that.

 

[pinkmartin73]

Have been trying to post pics of the newbs. Can't get them to upload. The lil roo I already had isn't playing nice. The new guy doesn't defend himself. I know I should let them be and work it out but I end up protecting him. He has been bullied before and has tons of broken and missing feathers. I hate that his spirit is broken. Starting to rethink the whole thing but hopeful I can make it work.

 

[Mutt Farm]

I also mist the roofs of the coops.It seems to help.

That's a great idea!

 

[Mutt Farm]

Have been trying to post pics of the newbs. Can't get them to upload. The lil roo I already had isn't playing nice. The new guy doesn't defend himself. I know I should let them be and work it out but I end up protecting him. He has been bullied before and has tons of broken and missing feathers. I hate that his spirit is broken. Starting to rethink the whole thing but hopeful I can make it work.

If you don't mind my making a training suggestion, get a good squirt bottle with a good stream. Good you're protecting him, but Lil Roo will only learn not to bully in your presence. But If...every time he goes near the new roo he gets a squirt (a secret squirt from a distance) right in his face, he'll learn to associate bullying the new roo with discomfort. He should learn to keep his distance. I've trained all of mine where to range, what is off limits (scratching in my $$$ orchard hay), not to peck me, etc.

 

[pinkmartin73]

I don't mind a bit! I'm hear to learn I will give that a try. Right now I am feeding and watering the 3 new kids in the coop. They avoid going out in the run. They are all such sweethearts they just avoid everyone else when they can. If I want them to get any sunshine I have to cage the lil roo. That isn't teaching anyone anything.

 

[Mutt Farm]

I don't mind a bit! I'm hear to learn I will give that a try. Right now I am feeding and watering the 3 new kids in the coop. They avoid going out in the run. They are all such sweethearts they just avoid everyone else when they can. If I want them to get any sunshine I have to cage the lil roo. That isn't teaching anyone anything.

Actually, it's not a bad idea at all. If you cage up the bully(s) for a bit, the new sweethearts can get comfortable with the whole area and get to know the others, make some friends. How many others do you have enough hens and space that Lil Roo can be expected to share?

 

[pinkmartin73]

Actually, it's not a bad idea at all. If you cage up the bully(s)  for a bit, the new sweethearts can get comfortable with the whole area and get to know the others, make some friends. How many others do you have enough hens and space that Lil Roo can be expected to share? 

Technically no, I'm trying to find at least a couple more bantam pullets or hens. I had my eye on some but after I made an appt. To pick them up, they gave them to someone else before I got there. People are rude sometimes. (The lady picked the day and time, I didn't) There are 11 girls right now. We will also be getting a few pullets in february for 4-H. I hope to get a cpl marans but not sure what else just yet. When I built the coop & run, I was thinking no more than 20 LF. If my brother decides to keep chickens next year I will give him 2 or 3 girls to start him off. I'm not terribly fond of our RIR girls. I would like to keep a constant 14 to 16 girls for the 2 boys.

I was afraid that caging him in the run may make matters worse? That being caged in front of everyone would just cause more resentment. I don't have anyplace else safe to cage him. Should I do that just during the day or overnight too?

 

[Mutt Farm]

Technically no, I'm trying to find at least a couple more bantam pullets or hens. I had my eye on some but after I made an appt. To pick them up, they gave them to someone else before I got there. People are rude sometimes. (The lady picked the day and time, I didn't) There are 11 girls right now. We will also be getting a few pullets in february for 4-H. I hope to get a cpl marans but not sure what else just yet. When I built the coop & run, I was thinking no more than 20 LF. If my brother decides to keep chickens next year I will give him 2 or 3 girls to start him off. I'm not terribly fond of our RIR girls. I would like to keep a constant 14 to 16 girls for the 2 boys.

I was afraid that caging him in the run may make matters worse? That being caged in front of everyone would just cause more resentment. I don't have anyplace else safe to cage him. Should I do that just during the day or overnight too?

Yeah...I think, if you have nowhere separated from the flock to cage him up a while during to let the new sweeties acclimate then reintroduce once your new boy has his sea legs, I'll need to bump to an expert on introducing roos and flock hierarchy.. My expertise ends at training an animal to either do or not do something. I can help you teach your chickens to dance, but I'm clueless on rooster aggression.I'll shout to
@Michael OShay AGAIN. He seems to provide factual guidance. He might be ready to kill me for putting him in the hot seat again...

 

[pinkmartin73]

Yeah...I think, if you have nowhere separated from the flock to cage him up a while during to let the new sweeties acclimate then reintroduce once your new boy has his sea legs, I'll need to bump to an expert on introducing roos and flock hierarchy.. My expertise ends at training an animal to either do or not do something. I can help you teach your chickens to dance, but I'm clueless on rooster aggression.I'll shout to 
@Michael OShay
 AGAIN. He seems to provide factual guidance. He might be ready to kill me for putting him in the hot seat again...

Lol I appreciate any help I can get. The new girls aren't going to be real high in pecking order since they don't do too much to defend themselves either. The way I see it, tho is someone has to be on the bottom and that's ok. As long as no one is getting hurt... So far the girls aren't being too bad. Kinda yelling but no hard pecking since the first afternoon they were all together.