Chickens in the Run... Sorta

[TwoCrows]

@TwoCrows it worked! View attachment 3590040

Oh I love it!! ❤ Chickens enjoy getting up off the ground, these posts may become their favorite spots!

 

[1dermaker1]

@TwoCrows I caught one of my Australorps in the nesting box today! No resulting egg but maybe scouting? This is their 19th week. That would be SUPER EARLY right? Her comb and wattles are very red and the most developed of the 5. I'll post a pic here.

 

[TwoCrows]

@TwoCrows I caught one of my Australorps in the nesting box today! No resulting egg but maybe scouting? This is their 19th week. That would be SUPER EARLY right? Her comb and wattles are very red and the most developed of the 5. I'll post a pic here.View attachment 3591706

Yes this would be quite early for an Australorp. Her comb, face and wattles are pretty red though! Is she squatting for you yet? When they start squatting, eggs are usually not TOO far off. They will investigate and play around in nest boxes a couple weeks out, but keep an eye out, you never know with this gal! Keep me posted on her, I will be curious to see when she lays.

 

[1dermaker1]

Yes this would be quite early for an Australorp. Her comb, face and wattles are pretty red though! Is she squatting for you yet? When they start squatting, eggs are usually not TOO far off. They will investigate and play around in nest boxes a couple weeks out, but keep an eye out, you never know with this gal! Keep me posted on her, I will be curious to see when she lays.

I don't know what the squatting thing looks like. Do I approach her like I'm going to pet her, or does she just squat when you walk by?

 

[TwoCrows]

I don't know what the squatting thing looks like. Do I approach her like I'm going to pet her, or does she just squat when you walk by?

Squatting is this....If you approach from behind or the side like a rooster would, hens will open their wings slightly and hunker down low to the ground, they do this for humans too. It's actually a nice time if you have "runners" in your flock, I hate chasing pullets. Once they get to squatting age, you can reach down and pick them up easily!

 

[1dermaker1]

Squatting is this....If you approach from behind or the side like a rooster would, hens will open their wings slightly and hunker down low to the ground, they do this for humans too. It's actually a nice time if you have "runners" in your flock, I hate chasing pullets. Once they get to squatting age, you can reach down and pick them up easily!

Oh I see. I'll have to try that (and pay attention!) That's good to know about the runners! I don't know if you have had any of the Whitings in your flock, but they are crazy fast, and skittish. Hopefully I can use this to my advantage.

 

[TwoCrows]

Oh I see. I'll have to try that (and pay attention!) That's good to know about the runners! I don't know if you have had any of the Whitings in your flock, but they are crazy fast, and skittish. Hopefully I can use this to my advantage.

Some of my young birds were runners as chicks and before they started laying. At night getting them back in the coop was probably hilarious to someone watching me chase them down, catching them every night was a bone jarring experience as I would slip and fall very easily! If it is possible for a bird to laugh at you, mine were! As they aged they got SO easy to handle, call into the coop and just reach down and pick them up. Anyway, definitely when they start squatting, the Australorps especially, eggs should be coming soon!

 

[1dermaker1]

Some of my young birds were runners as chicks and before they started laying. At night getting them back in the coop was probably hilarious to someone watching me chase them down, catching them every night was a bone jarring experience as I would slip and fall very easily! If it is possible for a bird to laugh at you, mine were! As they aged they got SO easy to handle, call into the coop and just reach down and pick them up. Anyway, definitely when they start squatting, the Australorps especially, eggs should be coming soon!

Hahah yeah I imagine my Chickens talking amongst themselves about me ALL THE TIME And laughing regularly.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hahah yeah I imagine my Chickens talking amongst themselves about me ALL THE TIME And laughing regularly.

I am sure they mumble all kinds of things about us under their breaths.

 

[1dermaker1]

Well my True Blue has laid for 4 straight days since her first egg!