BDutch's bantam flock & natural breeding projects #5 🪺 🪺 and #6

[Sequel]

I had to read it twice because translated to my language it could also mean : I pity the cat. But of course I knew this was awkward and I understood your intention perfectly. I added the to let you know it was not serious.

I let the chickens free range in the afternoon again. Just locked them in the run, in case the tomcat comes by again. I always scatter a few handfuls of grain to lure them inside.

The juveniles are not always welcome to the grain-party in the run. Katrientje was too keen to peck the scattered grains to stand guard. This time is was only Kraai who was standing in front of the door, to keep the juveniles out.

Silly behaviour (pecking order).

Label of a new bag with grain mix:

 

[Molpet]

standing in front of the door,

I have this problem with the chickens keeping the turkeys out. I am trying to keep the turkeys out of the trees and the lowest chicken hen is blocking the door. I run her off, herd up the turkeys and she's back in the way. I'm about ready to invite her to dinner.

 

[BDutch]

I have this problem with the chickens keeping the turkeys out. I am trying to keep the turkeys out of the trees and the lowest chicken hen is blocking the door. I run her off, herd up the turkeys and she's back in the way. I'm about ready to invite her to dinner.

What are your plans for a meal both you and the chicken like?
Anyway.., You need special napkins for that.

 

[BDutch]

Even though the juvenile Amrocks are 15 weeks old now, the mommas still sleep with the juveniles in the small coop. (hatched 19-20 June)

Yesterday evening Ini mini thought it was too crowded in the small coop and she wanted to sleep in the nestbox. Took her out and put her in the extension with the other hens.

I hope they realise one day that its better for them to sleep in the playhouse. There is much more space in there.
—-
Today the nasty tomcat cam by again. saw him chasing the chickens. Maybe he just likes to chase them. He looks well fed and never saw him make a jump attack like cats do if they try to kill a mouse of a bird.

Now Kraai is missing. Hoping she comes around before I have to go out for some shopping.

Fltr: Black, Kraai, Pearl snd Janice.

 

[Sequel]

View attachment 3956866
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Even though the juvenile Amrocks are 15 weeks old now, the mommas still sleep with the juveniles in the small coop. (hatched 19-20 June)

Yesterday evening Ini mini thought it was too crowded in the small coop and she wanted to sleep in the nestbox. Took her out and put her in the extension with the other hens.

I hope they realise one day that its better for them to sleep in the playhouse. There is much more space in there.
—-
Today the nasty tomcat cam by again. saw him chasing the chickens. Maybe he just likes to chase them. He looks well fed and never saw him make a jump attack like cats do if they try to kill a mouse of a bird.

Now Kraai is missing. Hoping she comes around before I have to go out for some shopping.

Fltr: Black, Kraai, Pearl snd Janice.
View attachment 3956867

I hope Kraai came back!

 

[BDutch]

Yes she did. Got home and jumped in the pear tree for an early roost. Glad she came out.

Stills from filming her moves in the tree.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes she did. Got home and jumped in the pear tree for an early roost. Glad she came out.

Stills from filming her moves in the tree.
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View attachment 3956988

Love her wing span!! Look at her go!

 

[BDutch]

Yesterday evening there must have been an invisible full moon. The chickens went crazy. Around sunset only the 2 black bantams were inside the coop.
Kraai and Janice were roosting high in the pear tree. Ini mini and the Juveniles were roosting on top of the door to the second run.
With the help of MDH a little tactics , mealworms and a we managed to get them in the run. (No photos unfortunately).

A few hours later I checked on them and found Ini mini and Gin in a nestbox. The roost space in small coop is definitely getting too small. But sleeping in a nestbox is a no go. So I took the nest sleepers and put them both in the playhouse.

The worst picture ever of the 2 roosting in the playhouse.


I do hope Ini mini is wise enough to understand this is a better place to roost for the family and will ‘cluck’ to them to sleep the playhouse tomorrow.

I wonder:
Is it a good idea to lock the small coop in the evening before roost time so the family must choose another place to roost?
Or should I check every evening and move the chickens to the playhouse for a while?
Or should I try something else. What would you do?

 

[ManueB]

View attachment 3959815Yesterday evening there must have been an invisible full moon. The chickens went crazy. Around sunset only the 2 black bantams were inside the coop.
Kraai and Janice were roosting high in the pear tree. Ini mini and the Juveniles were roosting on top of the door to the second run.
With the help of MDH a little tactics , mealworms and a we managed to get them in the run. (No photos unfortunately).

A few hours later I checked on them and found Ini mini and Gin in a nestbox. The roost space in small coop is definitely getting too small. But sleeping in a nestbox is a no go. So I took the nest sleepers and put them both in the playhouse.

The worst picture ever of the 2 roosting in the playhouse.
View attachment 3959816

I do hope Ini mini is wise enough to understand this is a better place to roost for the family and will ‘cluck’ to them to sleep the playhouse tomorrow.

I wonder:
Is it a good idea to lock the small coop in the evening before roost time so the family must choose another place to roost?
Or should I check every evening and move the chickens to the playhouse for a while?
Or should I try something else. What would you do?

How did it go last night ?
I would not lock them out of the small coop because that may lead them to roost in a place that is even worse, like in the trees. If you want them to understand that they are supposed to sleep in the playhouse, I would put them there at night for three nights in a row. If they don't get it by then, you will know that they really don't want to roost there.

Many hens tend to sleep in nests when they are molting and I let them do it because I think they need to feel very safe. I put a fake egg in the nest where they sleep and that stops them from pooping in the nest, but it means a broody poop first thing in the morning. I'm not sure it would work with Gin though !

 

[BDutch]

How did it go last night ?
I would not lock them out of the small coop because that may lead them to roost in a place that is even worse, like in the trees.

I tried locking the small coop and looked what happened. They can not roost in the trees outside the run. But you are right they tried several stupid things. And I opened up the popdoor to the small coop again.
The family slept on the 2 roosts with very little space.

If you want them to understand that they are supposed to sleep in the playhouse, I would put them there at night for three nights in a row. If they don't get it by then, you will know that they really don't want to roost there.

Good idea, I ask my husband for assistance. And see if it can work out (it’s cooking and dinner time now when its getting dark)

Many hens tend to sleep in nests when they are molting and I let them do it because I think they need to feel very safe. I put a fake egg in the nest where they sleep and that stops them from pooping in the nest, but it means a broody poop first thing in the morning. I'm not sure it would work with Gin though !

Mine poop in the nest, but they prefer the nest without an egg if they can choose. The moulters usually roost too. If I notice a hen in a nestbox after dark, I take her out if I don’t want her being broody. The other exception is when I assume they have a mental or physical problem. Like Black a few weeks ago.