50 years ago we moved from a small town to the country because at the age of eight I was allowed to buy a horse ($168.00) out of my savings. From there we went on to chickens, ducks, geese, Guinea Fowl, ducks and peacocks. Although mom did most of the caretaking, I had my duties. Last summer I bought two Black Sex-Links (Isabella and Alafair), two Cuckoo Maroons (Miranda and Sofia) and two Salmon Favorelles (Elspeth and Fiona); later that year, two Indian Runner Ducks (Pip and Sachi). The ducks ended up being one of each sex. We have routines and when the chickens go to roost (did you know that hens turn into 'roosters' at night?) they each get petted and talked to. The ducks weren't handled as much and are a little skittish. Pip, the male, is being aggressive towards the hens and despite my scolding (and his wife's harassing him) won't leave them alone.
I found this site when I saw Elspeth perched on top of their run. They have a fairly large area with some boards across the top for some element of shade. Too close to the neighbor's fence to risk having her go over there so started searching the web for clipping wings. Found this site and did the deed to the two Favorelles, the lighter of the hens. I will be working on the others...just in case!
I do have a question. Elspeth occasionally does something strange. She puts her head to the ground so that she looks like she is looking back through her legs and runs backwards until she bumps into something -- not all the time -- but every once in a while. Has anyone else seen this in their chickens?
I found this site when I saw Elspeth perched on top of their run. They have a fairly large area with some boards across the top for some element of shade. Too close to the neighbor's fence to risk having her go over there so started searching the web for clipping wings. Found this site and did the deed to the two Favorelles, the lighter of the hens. I will be working on the others...just in case!
I do have a question. Elspeth occasionally does something strange. She puts her head to the ground so that she looks like she is looking back through her legs and runs backwards until she bumps into something -- not all the time -- but every once in a while. Has anyone else seen this in their chickens?
