BYC Café

[ShrekDawg]

Oh dear! I got 1 right! Too funny!

Yuppp! And one close with Buffy (buff/orange color related name) and of course Bunny.... soooooo original for an Easter Egger.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I am the exact opposite of original lol

 

[drumstick diva]

@Shadrach New Member from Spain in New member introduction thread.

 

[007Sean]

Oh yes. She's incredibly good with them. A completely different approach to me. She is a backyard keeper but they free range in her yard. Her eldest hen a Swedish breed died last year at 16 years old! She has another Swedish breed who is now 12 or 13 years old.
They are strictly pets although she likes the eggs.

I have some pheasants that are 16 years old now, males only...hens don't live that long, for some reason.

 

[007Sean]

Thanks for the coffee, @sourland , I need a fresh cup!

 

[DobieLover]

It sounds like you've got it sorted. A night or two away from the rable getting spoiled won't hurt.
I've got one of those plastic pet carriers for those that are too sick to be out and about.
Works very well with some towels for lining.
You know, despite what I've read of other peoples experience the chickens here don't tend to pick on the injured. I've been really surprised. They do pick on the sick though.
The injured tend to stay out of the way. I've had to make sure they get proper rations when they're out though.

That's been my observation here too.
One of the newer LHs was actively working her way up the pecking order after integration. She took several good shots to the comb and wattles. I'd go out to feed them and find blood splattered on her and the feed trough. Stood out starkly on the white. She had no further injuries than those and healed fine. I hadn't cleaned her up.
I had a pullet with gross facial swelling that the vet felt was cancer. The head pullet attacked her if she tried to stay with the flock. It was horrible to witness.

 

[drumstick diva]

Sean are the females used for breeding? I would imagine they get internal "female," problems just like chickens.

Just out of curiosity are the 16 yr.males still siring ofspring?

 

[007Sean]

Sean are the females used for breeding? I would imagine they get internal "female," problems just like chickens.

Just out of curiosity are the 16 yr.males still siring ofspring?

Well the females usually quit laying 1st, then within a year or two, will pass on and not from disease. The longest I've had a hen survive has been 8 years.

Yes, the males still sire offspring, and I don't have any age, genetic deformities in their offspring. Although, I don't use them for breeding purposes after they reach 10 years of age. Usually after 4 to 5 years I start replacing them with 2 1/2 year olds with my Golden pheasants. My True pheasants, I breed a little longer, up to 8 year old sires.

After I retire them from breeding. I still keep them or will sell them to people I know that don't want them for breeding but just want them for eye candy.

 

[drumstick diva]

thank you

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Mornin' Shad, could not get to sleep so I made a pot of coffee. Grab a cup and relax while you catch up.