California - Northern

[waititout]

I know its called the "Egg Song" here on BYC, but my understanding of chicken talk is its the "I am upset" song.  Some hens get upset when they lay an egg, some get upset when they get kicked out of the nesting box by the next hen.  The roosters sing it when they get upset about something too.  It announces any upset in the coop.  If you hear it from a lot of birds - you better check the coop - there could be a predator (or it could be a cat..)

If you really want to mess with KFC - start the "I'm upset song" Bak Bak Bak Bagawack!

When we first got them I didn't know about egg song, I just knew someone was making a strange noise.  I kept going in to check-nothing-just a pullet making  noise.  The next day I heard it again and found my first egg.  It is not uncommon here to have 4 boys join in the song along with the hens.  When they get going they can outdo most roosters crows in volume and duration.  I warn people that hens are not always quiet but until they hear it themselves they don't believe me.  The ladies do wait until the sun is up most days.

My boys usually start their alarm calls with a growl of-sorts.  My barred rock "quarks" a warning.  They gots lots of practice today with all the crows and starlings flying over  them

My ladies woke me up at 6:00 this morning! I know what you mean!

 

[waititout]

For most cats the answer would be yes, they will eat when they are hungry. When I was growing up, we Cat sat a Siamese that never did eat or drink.  Can you hold them?

Hopefully you will be able to get them to like you and eat. They may also sneak some food at night.

My parents have had a cat for over 5 years that I've never seen except in pictures.  She sneaks in at night and eats whenever someone new is there.  The cat is deaf and afraid of our dogs but she does come in the second night if we are still there to eat.

Sounds like they are exploring for good hiding spots and learning the new layout.

Oh man, I hope they don't stay scared for long!

 

[Deerling]

I have been preoccupied the past week in preparation of a big step for our family and haven't been on here nearly as much as usual. Last night we adopted two 2-year old male Persian cats. I know this is a chicken forum, but most of you here are animal lovers and have kitties of your own so wanted to ask your advice.

Neither of these boys has eaten, drank, or used the litter box since yesterday. One is obviously frightened, he walks low and hides a lot. The other is coming around, but shows no interest in food or the box when I show him. I have given some of the food the breeder sent me home with...except for her recipe of "raw" food she gives to them. I don't have the items to make the concoction and thought they would be fine with what food she did give me.

Does anyone here feed their cats raw meat? Do you think that they will, as I've been telling myself, eat what I have out when they are hungry enough?

If you have a pet store nearby you could go and get one of the plug in things that helps with stress in cats. I've heard they work really well. It might ease the transition. I wouldn't make the raw food mixture for them unless you want to make it the rest of their lives . I am sure they will eat at some point, and I agree they may be most comfortable eating when there aren't strangers around. Congratulations on your babies! Can you post pictures?

 

[Flowers of Abba]

Well, since it seems like there are many frayed nerves over incubation ill spill a few beans...

I have always used the bater. I purchase from nasco in Modesto because well they're WAY cheaper than the local feed store AND they deliver within 24-48 hours!

So I have never checked the air moisture. (GASP) I fill trough 1 . Check it every few days. Pull all of the vents cause were at 6,700 ft. I do check the temp every few hours though cause when the fireplace dies down at night it drops. Candle at day 10. Pull the turner before lock down and add water to trough 2...

I'm averaging 80+ % on home eggs and 60% shipped eggs.

Miracles due to prayers?


Anyway I say all this because hatching is an experiment . Fretting changes nothing when the egg is a dud. And If the power goes out when your not home.... There's always next time. Enjoy the moment .

Flowers

 

[OR4-hmom]

They will let us hold them, but the one is definitely less accepting of it. They are totally docile, I just wish they felt more "at home". I don't think either of them had as much attention as they are getting at my house (I have four children) so I'm sure it is a bit of a shock. The one that is the easiest going, though, I believe has lived in a cage most of his life. They were (oddly enough) from two different breeders. It was a fluke that I came home with two. The other breeder was visiting her "mentor" when I came and needed to find the second one a home. She just have him to me. I was shocked, he is gorgeous! She was such a sweet lady. I feel like I won the lottery!

Could be sensory overload for the poor previously caged kitties, then getting all the attention now is unfamiliar. I'm sure a couple more days and nights will settle them in to their new loving home. I miss having cats, Eric thinks he is allergic, when we had them before they would come in and sleep on his side of the bed, right by his pillow. He never mentioned any problems unless he saw them.

I might be able to get another one after my greyhound is gone. I found a mouse tunnel in a coop yesterday, then flushed the mouse out. The chickens just stood tall and tipped their heads sideways at it.

 

[mendocinosunris]

Quote:
Yep, my roosters sing the egg song & get all excited when the hens lay.
I also have one rooster that sometimes makes a long, high-pitched whistle. I have no idea what that's all about...

DD wanted lunch after we finished small animal fair. We drove through Dairy Queen, of course someone had to crow while waiting. The cashier didn't believe we had 17 birds in the van,(7 of those were chicks). Next time KFC, just to mess with them, wonder if anyone would crow then!

too funny! That's something you don't usually hear at the driveup...

 

[PetRock]

They will let us hold them, but the one is definitely less accepting of it. They are totally docile, I just wish they felt more "at home". I don't think either of them had as much attention as they are getting at my house (I have four children) so I'm sure it is a bit of a shock. The one that is the easiest going, though, I believe has lived in a cage most of his life. They were (oddly enough) from two different breeders. It was a fluke that I came home with two. The other breeder was visiting her "mentor" when I came and needed to find the second one a home. She just have him to me. I was shocked, he is gorgeous! She was such a sweet lady. I feel like I won the lottery!

When we get a new kitty, we usually restrict the kitty to one room until he/she feels comfortable enough to come out. Poor babies are probably just overwhelmed. My sister tried to adopt a stray cat and tried to get him to integrate with their 2 adult female cats. The cat spent 2 weeks living inside their couch and they finally decided that he would be happier in a different home. They found a good home for him and Tiger Lily & Tinkerbell went back to ruling the roost!

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
Silly Chickens!

Allergy tests can tell you what you are allergic to. My oldest DD had the test and shots. She was allergic to almost everything but Dogs and cats....

 

[waititout]

They will let us hold them, but the one is definitely less accepting of it. They are totally docile, I just wish they felt more "at home". I don't think either of them had as much attention as they are getting at my house (I have four children) so I'm sure it is a bit of a shock. The one that is the easiest going, though, I believe has lived in a cage most of his life. They were (oddly enough) from two different breeders. It was a fluke that I came home with two. The other breeder was visiting her "mentor" when I came and needed to find the second one a home. She just have him to me. I was shocked, he is gorgeous! She was such a sweet lady. I feel like I won the lottery!

Could be sensory overload for the poor previously caged kitties, then getting all the attention now is unfamiliar.  I'm sure a couple more days and nights will settle them in to their new loving home.

I hope so!

 I miss having cats, Eric thinks he is allergic, when we had them before they would come in and sleep on his side of the bed, right by his pillow.  He never mentioned any problems unless he saw them.

I might be able to get another one after my greyhound is gone.  

I waited five years for mine, but yearned every step of the way! I hope you find a sweet mouser, those are the best!

 

[OR4-hmom]

Oh man, I hope they don't stay scared for long!

I think Zipper is so shy around people and strange dogs because she is deaf. Seems she is afraid our dogs will sneak up on her. Turns out the dog they adopted from my MIL is deaf also. MIL had the dog for 8 years and didn't know it. I was standing behind the dog banging pot lids together at Thanksgiving and he never even flinched. No wonder he wouldn't come when I called him.