CoopTherapy
In the Brooder
We had a horribly wet summer, I thought my chickens would turn to ducks with all the flooding.
Which is why we decided to free range them, to let the out of the wet coop/run. We live in the backwoods swamps of Central Florida, so we have all sorts of wild animals running around that could, and do, pose a problem for my chickens, which is why I wasn't really excited about ranging them.
Though, we haven't had any problems with wild animals since we started letting them out during the day, they are happier, fatter, and more social than before. The only problems I actually have with it is that there is poop on my front porch, and my non-dom Roo is roosting on the corner of my porch.
Normally, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but he just seems so lonely around bed time. I've taken to calling him Scritch, for some unknown reason. He loves his comb and right under his eyes scratched and he sits with me when I'm on the porch throwing treats to the rest of the flock. He also walks around the yard with the flock, including The-Winged-BHole, the dominant roo.
His bed time routine:
Come to the porch
Cluck until my husband or I come outside
Look at me
Look at husband
Cluck for 17 years*
Walk around
Jump around
Sit in my lap
Sit in the chair
Cluck for another 17 years*
Go to his roost
Come back to me and make the most pittiful sound I've ever heard from a rooster
I've found myself sitting out there with him for hour or so after the sun has went down and he starts snoring(not really), he'll wake up a few times to make sure I'm still there. I'm besides myself with the sads because he doesn't have anyone to roost with him.
TWB must have kicked him out of the coop, which doesn't make since because they get along so well outside of it, all day long.
I don't really mind having a pet chicken, it's what started my flock in the first place, I just don't want to have a lonely pet chicken.
So, I was wondering if there was a way to get him some hens? I am willing to go out and buy the best looking, most docile hens I can find for Scritch, if it would give him some bed time friends. And, if there is, how would I keep TWB from stealing them?
I've already considered bringing Scritch inside everynight, but the husband and resident demon cat have both vetoed that idea.
Thanks in advance!
*17 years is an exaggeration, he just clucks for a REALLY long time*
Which is why we decided to free range them, to let the out of the wet coop/run. We live in the backwoods swamps of Central Florida, so we have all sorts of wild animals running around that could, and do, pose a problem for my chickens, which is why I wasn't really excited about ranging them.
Though, we haven't had any problems with wild animals since we started letting them out during the day, they are happier, fatter, and more social than before. The only problems I actually have with it is that there is poop on my front porch, and my non-dom Roo is roosting on the corner of my porch.
Normally, I wouldn't have a problem with it, but he just seems so lonely around bed time. I've taken to calling him Scritch, for some unknown reason. He loves his comb and right under his eyes scratched and he sits with me when I'm on the porch throwing treats to the rest of the flock. He also walks around the yard with the flock, including The-Winged-BHole, the dominant roo.
His bed time routine:
Come to the porch
Cluck until my husband or I come outside
Look at me
Look at husband
Cluck for 17 years*
Walk around
Jump around
Sit in my lap
Sit in the chair
Cluck for another 17 years*
Go to his roost
Come back to me and make the most pittiful sound I've ever heard from a rooster
I've found myself sitting out there with him for hour or so after the sun has went down and he starts snoring(not really), he'll wake up a few times to make sure I'm still there. I'm besides myself with the sads because he doesn't have anyone to roost with him.
TWB must have kicked him out of the coop, which doesn't make since because they get along so well outside of it, all day long.
I don't really mind having a pet chicken, it's what started my flock in the first place, I just don't want to have a lonely pet chicken.
So, I was wondering if there was a way to get him some hens? I am willing to go out and buy the best looking, most docile hens I can find for Scritch, if it would give him some bed time friends. And, if there is, how would I keep TWB from stealing them?
I've already considered bringing Scritch inside everynight, but the husband and resident demon cat have both vetoed that idea.
Thanks in advance!
*17 years is an exaggeration, he just clucks for a REALLY long time*
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