Calico Princesses

[catobsessed]

However if taken care of in a certain manner, they can live quite a while. I have a meat hen that we bought from stock with the intentions of slaughtering but out of the ten we bought, only two made it due to predators. Only one died due to health issues. The rooster that survived was killed by my goat a few months ago. I guess he just got on her nerves one day. However the hen is still alive and quite well save for the missing feathers on her back. Since she is free ranged she gets good exercise and can still fly into elevated nests that the other hens made. She’s over a year old now and still going strong. But not the best breed for beginners since they can be high maintenance when kept in a run as we learned the hard way.

I have a large yard, so she’s been able to run around and dirt bathe to her hearts content. My chickens are free range so they get plenty of exercise.

A goat killed a rooster??? I have never heard of that before! Poor guy.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

I have a large yard, so she’s been able to run around and dirt bathe to her hearts content. My chickens are free range so they get plenty of exercise.

A goat killed a rooster??? I have never heard of that before! Poor guy.

Well...he was kind of a jerk....but still. He was the kind where you couldn’t take your eyes off him unless you wanted to get shived in the liver. And she is literally the sweetest looking thing. One of those Nigerian dwarfs that are prescious. But dogs and strangers (and mean roosters apparently) beware because she feisty. She’s also killed a giant gopher rat *shiver*
But yeah, our biggest mistake with our first girl was not realizing she was a meat bird and leaving a constant food supply. She’d just plop down by the feeder and GORGE all day. However we know now to throw the feed out so she has to work them legs to scratch out the good stuff. As long as she’s got room to exercise, plenty of water and shade, and a limited diet, she should last a bit. Like I said, ours is over a year and she (while being a little overweight) is in good health.

 

[catobsessed]

You know that would explain why she likes to eat so much... so maybe if I don’t give her as many treats that will work in her favor. She’s just so cute because she gets so excited when she eats from my hand!

I’m not meant to be a true farmer, I know a lot of people would cull a chicken when she stops laying without hesitation but like... I can’t bring myself to do it, they deserve to live out their days.

Okay so apparently I need a goat in my life haha! I’m in city limits but whatever! Chickens are catching on in my neighborhood, might as well get goats too! I loves me some feta cheese...

 

[JadeFarms]

I have had one live to 2 1/2 years and she would’ve lived longer but she got attacked.
Snce you have a big yard that’s good. DO NOT give an automatic feeder that will make them break their legs. Don’t let them have food all through the day and no unlimited food. Make sure they always have water too because I’ve seen mine almost choke on water because they like to drink fast. I like to give Rooster Boosters poultry cell once to twice a month. They will likely live longer if you do all of that. Here’s the 6 1/2 month old I have now:

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

I have a Calico Princess, her name is Dolly. She's a large chicken.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You know that would explain why she likes to eat so much... so maybe if I don’t give her as many treats that will work in her favor. She’s just so cute because she gets so excited when she eats from my hand!

I’m not meant to be a true farmer, I know a lot of people would cull a chicken when she stops laying without hesitation but like... I can’t bring myself to do it, they deserve to live out their days.

Okay so apparently I need a goat in my life haha! I’m in city limits but whatever! Chickens are catching on in my neighborhood, might as well get goats too! I loves me some feta cheese...

Interestingly feta originated as a sheep cheese, but became a goat cheese because sheep are more difficult to milk and care for over all in a factory farm setting

 

[catobsessed]

I have a Calico Princess, her name is Dolly. She's a large chicken.

That’s such a cute name!!!!! Mine are named Zelda, Daisy, Chickpea, and Gertie. :3

 

[catobsessed]

I have had one live to 2 1/2 years and she would’ve lived longer but she got attacked.
Snce you have a big yard that’s good. DO NOT give an automatic feeder that will make them break their legs. Don’t let them have food all through the day and no unlimited food. Make sure they always have water too because I’ve seen mine almost choke on water because they like to drink fast. I like to give Rooster Boosters poultry cell once to twice a month. They will likely live longer if you do all of that. Here’s the 6 1/2 month old I have now:
View attachment 2275935

This really gives me hope! So if I just feed mine meals only, she might have a decent chance? Thanks for the reply!

 

[JadeFarms]

This really gives me hope! So if I just feed mine meals only, she might have a decent chance? Thanks for the reply!

I feed mine about 3/4 bucket of feed a day, I have her in my smaller flock of 7.

 

[BonNuit]

If you love your chicken like this, once I have some fertile eggs, I’d be happy to send you some, so you can incubate some healthy breeds that have long life spans.