I usually just crush mine up shells and all, put them in a bowl so I can dump them in their treat trough and then stand back or get trampled.
If they see me coming with the bowl they are following me and jumping trying to get to it. One little bantam hen will fly up and land in the middle of it while I'm walking like she is saying 'DIBS!'
What's funny is watching the hens grab shell and egg and run off with it while the roosters will carefully peck all the egg free from the shell and leave the shell like they know that they shouldn't eat it.
I hear ya about the favorite rooster. I have a little SDW guy who I will miss and mourn when he is gone. 4 years ago his mom abandoned him when he was about 4 weeks old and went back to the flock. He was her only chick and was just miserable. I 'adopted' him, carried him around tucked in my jacket, made sure he got his share of treats. When another hen hatched chicks and they got big enough to be on their own I put Joker in with them. He did great but he had bonded to me and still is. Last year the little idiot broke his wing tip somehow and wouldn't leave it strapped. I finally gave up and let him heal it on his own, which it did. But at a funny angle. It didn't slow him down. He is still the boss bird but comes every day to greet his featherless 'mom' and bring me a tidbit if he remembers to.
I came in the house one night and told my husband he better watch himself because he had some competition for my affections and his rival brought me gifts. I proceeded to hand him a piece of plastic, a head of wheat minus the wheat and a screw, all gifts from Joker.
If they see me coming with the bowl they are following me and jumping trying to get to it. One little bantam hen will fly up and land in the middle of it while I'm walking like she is saying 'DIBS!'
What's funny is watching the hens grab shell and egg and run off with it while the roosters will carefully peck all the egg free from the shell and leave the shell like they know that they shouldn't eat it.
I hear ya about the favorite rooster. I have a little SDW guy who I will miss and mourn when he is gone. 4 years ago his mom abandoned him when he was about 4 weeks old and went back to the flock. He was her only chick and was just miserable. I 'adopted' him, carried him around tucked in my jacket, made sure he got his share of treats. When another hen hatched chicks and they got big enough to be on their own I put Joker in with them. He did great but he had bonded to me and still is. Last year the little idiot broke his wing tip somehow and wouldn't leave it strapped. I finally gave up and let him heal it on his own, which it did. But at a funny angle. It didn't slow him down. He is still the boss bird but comes every day to greet his featherless 'mom' and bring me a tidbit if he remembers to.
I came in the house one night and told my husband he better watch himself because he had some competition for my affections and his rival brought me gifts. I proceeded to hand him a piece of plastic, a head of wheat minus the wheat and a screw, all gifts from Joker.
Last edited:
