California - Northern

[Nikon]

Lol! Better your granny than mine. Mine would be getting an earful right now. Respectfully of course. I respect my elders. But still. Not cool!

How long had he been there with no water? Just over night? Mine don't get any water overnight either.

No, this is no average granny. This granny has her own kubota and like to control people, give this one an earful and we could be packing up our chickens and holding a cardboard sign saying "homeless". Maybe an hour or two he was like that. I'm praying he isn't like that again when we (the hubs) get off work at 7pm. Yeah, ours don't get water inside the coop itself either at night.

 

[Ali707]

No, this is no average granny. This granny has her own kubota and like to control people, give this one an earful and we could be packing up our chickens and holding a cardboard sign saying "homeless". Maybe an hour or two he was like that. I'm praying he isn't like that again when we (the hubs) get off work at 7pm. Yeah, ours don't get water inside the coop itself either at night.

So this would be you on the side of the road then?

 

[Nikon]

So this would be you on the side of the road then?

If I respectfully disagree with her about our chickens it could be.

Despite the fact that we take care of her property for her.

 

[Nikon]

Anyone have an article about mean roosters and what their behavior looks like versus normal manly chicken behavior?

 

[juststruttin]

I like the birds well enough, the hens are a little stand-offish and I've never seen any sign of aggression from the boys.

Mine have not been consistent layers. They are currently taking a break while molting, but they have not been daily layers. Their eggs are small compared to the size of the bird in my opinion. They aren't a huge bird, but I think comparatively my lakenvelder & campine lay a larger egg and are about the same size. The lak & cam of course are also daily layers. Personally, I like the color of the isbar egg (mossy green/brown speckles), but I've seen some people refer to it as muddy looking.

There have also been people having problems with vitality, probably because of the small gene pool. I did loose a couple of chicks when they were young, but haven't had a problem since.

Overall I enjoy them because I like the look of the bird.

Thanks Deb. Appreciate the feed back. I am getting 18+ eggs so it will be interesting what I end up with.

 

[juststruttin]

for what it's worth, i only have a few (and their numbers are dwindling fast due to the bobcat lately!), but i absolutely love them -- they have lovely quiet temperaments, they are *gorgeous* birds (i've discovered i particularly love chicken breeds that have dark eyes), and their eggs are so pretty. i just got a dozen eggs yesterday to attempt to hatch in my new incubator, and they're incredibly beautiful shades of green and green/blue -- i'll have to photograph when i get home.

Thanks Laura, looking forward to seeing photos

 

[juststruttin]

i'm convinced eggs stay cleaner with shavings than with straw -- my neighbors have straw in their nesting boxes and their eggs are always a bit grungier than mine. but maybe they just have messy chickens.

I agree 100% but from what I understand her birds are kicking it all out of the nest box. Straw is harder to kick out.

 

[ronott1]

I agree 100% but from what I understand her birds are kicking it all out of the nest box. Straw is harder to kick out.

When the Pullets get to Point of Lay they will kick the straw out too.

Silly chickens!...

 

[Happy Chooks]

Anyone have an article about mean roosters and what their behavior looks like versus normal manly chicken behavior?

No, but I can give you some tips, as I have had a mean one. (notice I said HAD)

A sideways stance with one shoulder higher than the other is one of the first clues he's challenging you.
Picking up small rocks and dropping them - this happens in close proximity to you.
Wing dancing you is a no-no. That's where one wing goes to the ground and he makes a little circle near or around you. (he thinks you are one of his hens, and thus beneath him)
Facing you with his head down and neck feathers flared. This is a major challenge of dominance.

Lastly, a full flogging. It happens faster than you can blink. I've been hit as high as hip level, and I'm 5'8" tall. And it hurts like heck.



Normal behavior:

I walk through, not around my roosters - they yield to me, not me to them.

A watchful stance nearby, but not challenging. Just erect and on alert to protect the hens. (usually with crowing) I have been charged at a time or two by picking up a hen and she squawked. They will come running to protect their girl. One barnie boy that was the sweetest ever, did bite me once on the hand for picking up a hen to check on her. She squawked and he came through the pop door and lashed out at the first thing he saw, which was my hand. I've been attacked much worse by a broody hen for daring to pick up her chick. (trying to help it figure out the ramp back into the coop.

 

[Chickengirl1304]

Anyone have isbar chickens available?