Can anyone shed any light on this please??

[Wyorp Rock]

I really need to get some more photos, they are all grown up now. Charlie is much larger now, with longer wattles, tail, and hackles.
Here's a link to some of my flock - the photos are in my profile. https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/7132825/buff-orpington/ https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/a/7086531/default/

Bless Daisy's heart, yes, the hens love to play keep away, so she didn't have anyone to play with.

I don't free range at all. Too many critters running around, I fear my flock would have been gone a long time ago. I know Charlie would most likely try to defend the girls, but he is no match for the loose dogs that run through occasionally, we also have coyote, fox, hawks, etc., and I do see them during the day, especially the one fox with her 3 kits. They are pretty and stay in the outlying field, but if she had an opportunity, she would have several chicken dinners.

 

[DarleneE]

Awwwwww what beautiful chickens!! Charlie has the most gorgeous golden like color!! My goodness he's sooooooo handsome!! And I just LOVE LOVE LOVE how he stands back and let's his ladies eat at that apple, esp. in that middle picture!! Isn't it amazing how cool roosters are the way they take care of their gals?? So those other two gray colored ones.. are they Wyandotes (sp)?? I'm going by your ID on here and just guessing Heeeeheeeeee cause I am really NOT at all familiar with different breeds of chickens sadly!! I say this because I should have done my homework BEFORE I crazily and just out of the blue went and got my two from a feed store!! Lol YES.. I DID DO THIS!! I had been wanting a couple chickens forever and hubby said NO!! WELL one day I was sitting outside while my grandson, at the time about 7 I think, rode his bike and it just hit me and I had to have two chickens right then!! Drove to a feed store and got them!! Lmbo!! My husband got home and there were two week old chicks in a huge box in my daughter and grandsons bathroom!! They've lived here until the middle of May when she was finally able to get on her own... lots of bad luck!! She's no baby... 31!! But that's another story!! Lol Thank God he's the most patient man in the world and didn't go crazy on me!! Heeeeheeeeeee He wasn't happy mind you... but he stayed calm!! Lol But had I even KNOWN about some of these cool breeds God knows WHAT kind Id have gotten?? LOVE Showgirls, Turkens, Silkies, Polish and Frizzle!!!! The DIFFERENT looking ones can you tell?? Haha All my life I've ALWAYS been attracted to things that were DIFFERENT than what most people have!! But I'm not complaining cause I love Daisy and well Livie was my sweetest little angel ever and I just love her sooooooo much.... God I miss her. I still can't quit crying over her at times. And so very sorry for Daisy. That's why I try to bring her in anytime I'm downstairs and esp like in the kitchen. She spends nearly ALL her time sitting outside the french doors opening to our kitchen looking in the poor thing!! Thank God I've even finally gotten hubby to start letting her in when he's down there too!! I was sooooooo happy to learn that while I was out at my eye exam appt, which took FOREVER since I had to pick out new frames, that he had let her in for quite awhile while he was having to do a bit more work from home!! So she just walks and walks around the island and we give her bits of this and that and at least I feel a little better for her.
Well wrote you a book again!! Lol
I get carried away with chicken talk!!
D

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, they are Silver Lace Wyandottes. I have 2 of them, 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Buff Orpington and of course Charlie

Charlie is very attentive to the girls, they are always first.

 

[DarleneE]

That's so sweet. What are your Wyandottes temperaments like?? Which would you say are the tamest or easiest to handle breed of all your babies??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's so sweet. What are your Wyandottes temperaments like?? Which would you say are the tamest or easiest to handle breed of all your babies??

The Buff Orpingtons are hands down the "tamest". As several members say "Buff Orpingtons are the Golden Retriever of the chicken world." They are very sweet, friendly and seem to really want to "interact" with you. They are both "nosy nellies" the first to get to the door at treat time even though they aren't top in pecking order, they want to see what you are dong and chat the whole time, as if they are discussing your activity.

The Wyandottes are talkative and definitely want you to know they exist, but don't like to be touched. I would almost say flighty, but that's not quite the right word - they are movers, they don't sit still very often. One is a little "nervous", but she is bottom in the pecking order. They are pretty good layers, I would get them again.

The Barred Rocks (as you know) are strong birds. Solid, sturdy, calm, confident, sweet and oh, those velvety feathers... Mine don't like to be handled much, but all of them lie between pets and livestock, so I don't pick them up/pet them that often except for the Orpingtons, they almost demand to be picked up several times a week.

Each one has a unique personality and each breed acts somewhat similar to each other. I like them all and so far they have been a good mix that has worked for me.

 

[DarleneE]

Well my Daisy does not like to be picked up either!! She will perch on my arm though if I just put it out under her chest she climbs right up. She does not like or tolerate being carried like under your arm. She just doesn't like to feel restrained I guess it scares and makes her nervous. She is also very very stubborn!! Man it's HER WAY or the highway!! Like today in the kitchen I was giving her little pieces of lettuce, then I sat down and put her on my thigh and she absolutely refused to take the lettuce from me..... and you could see she was just MELTING AWAY she wanted it so bad!! But she DID NOT take one piece!! Crazy!! Yet.. when they were just pullets, Daisy was the one I could hold and all while my Livie was the very very nervous jumpy one.. always jumping up on things and climbing and oh she'd make me so nervous.. I thought for certain she'd fall and break her neck!! She did not take to being picked up at all. THEN after they started laying,they totally changed around?? So weird but I did read that it often does happen so I don't really know. But mine sure did!! I would LOVE to get a Buff Orpington for Daisy to have a friend again!! But my husband now is sooooooo against it that we'd really have a problem if I went and got another chicken I truly do believe. So I just don't know what to do for my poor Daisy cause I know she's so lonely..?? Once I see if she can gain back some weight and feel sure that she's OK and in OK health I do believe I'm going to have to give her to someone with some chickens although that scares me so because this life here with us is all she knows and she's sooooooo spoiled she don't know she's a chicken AND she's been queen of the castle since birth!! So how do you think she'd do if she's suddenly thrown into a flock and is now at the BOTTOM of the pecking order??!!! I just don't think she'd do well?? I think she needs to just be with one, two at most chickens. So maybe I can find that type situation?? Cause I can't see putting her in with a flock of birds. Not at all. But it's breaking my heart just the thought of giving her away. I just can't now... not for me and not for her.. we are not ready after the grief we're still working thru and even a state of shock too in fact. I did not expect to lose my little sweet angel. It's all so sad.
D

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There are a lot of people who keep single chickens or "house chickens". I think there are some active threads where people discuss having a lone chicken, so they may be able to give you some tips on keeping them busy? I know I have read where some people put an unbreakable mirror where the lone chicken can see themselves, gives them something to do.

As far as rehoming her, there really is no way to tell how she would do. BR have strong personalities so she may do ok, but she would be the odd man out, so that decision would be difficult by I'm sure you will make the right one.

For now, by the video I've seen, she looks like she is doing good. She may be a little lonely at times, but I don't see any "depression" in her actions, which is a good thing.

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, lots of people keep house chickens and other poultry as house pets. Here is a thread you might like to join in on and share your pics and stories... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/299187/people-with-house-chickens

A chicken should never be kept alone away from attention as in being kept in a coop to live and sleep, all their lives alone. But if a bird is kept indoor with all the attention and love, they can live out their entire lives with never seeing another chicken! I know lots of people with a single chicken indoors and the birds live a complete full life! So as happy as she seems, I wouldn't add more to her company. As long as you are there for her, she will do just fine as a single bird. If you ever got to the point you had to keep her outside and couldn't spend much time with her, then it might be time to get her a flock. For now, I would let her be a spoiled rotten only chicken!

 

[Calichicken2015]

There are a lot of people who keep single chickens or "house chickens". I think there are some active threads where people discuss having a lone chicken, so they may be able to give you some tips on keeping them busy? I know I have read where some people put an unbreakable mirror where the lone chicken can see themselves, gives them something to do.

As far as rehoming her, there really is no way to tell how she would do. BR have strong personalities so she may do ok, but she would be the odd man out, so that decision would be difficult by I'm sure you will make the right one.

For now, by the video I've seen, she looks like she is doing good. She may be a little lonely at times, but I don't see any "depression" in her actions, which is a good thing.

Yes, lots of people keep house chickens and other poultry as house pets. Here is a thread you might like to join in on and share your pics and stories... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/299187/people-with-house-chickens

A chicken should never be kept alone away from attention as in being kept in a coop to live and sleep, all their lives alone. But if a bird is kept indoor with all the attention and love, they can live out their entire lives with never seeing another chicken! I know lots of people with a single chicken indoors and the birds live a complete full life! So as happy as she seems, I wouldn't add more to her company. As long as you are there for her, she will do just fine as a single bird. If you ever got to the point you had to keep her outside and couldn't spend much time with her, then it might be time to get her a flock. For now, I would let her be a spoiled rotten only chicken!

@DarleneE AGREED! I currently have one hen and she is an indoor girl.... completely spoiled

She has access to the outside/yard to do her chicken activities but lives/sleeps indoor. We have had other hens in the past that I have hatched but she was pretty indifferent to them all

She would not be happy at all if she lived outdoors without other chickens, but inside she has us to interact/socialize with everyday. Good luck with your girl which ever you decide!

 

[DarleneE]

Calichicken2015,

Thanks so much for writing however a question please?? How do you handle the poop situation in your home?? Does she have access to the entire house or is she confined to a tiled area or something?? Also how does she go in and out?? Do you have like a doggy door for her or do you just put her in and out when you think she may want to go out and play?? I'm just sooooooo confused as to how to do all this because I just don't get HOW you are able to have a chicken inside your home all the time with the way they poop so much?? At least mine does!!?? Trust me, I'd love nothing more than to have her in here with me all the time but I just can't seem to figure out anyway to do that other than what I'm doing now which is just letting her into the kitchen when I'm down there and let her walk about in there??

Any light you can shed on this would be sooooooo greatly appreciated!!
Thank you again for writing and hope to hear back from you!!
All the best,
D