Crazy Chickens Daily (hopefully)

[Cloverfluff]

Just wanted a place to post about whatever crazy things my chickens decided to do that day. Maybe some silly things the other fur-babies do as well

Today, nobody wanted to go to bed when I needed them to. They usually get put up into the big run until they put themselves to bed at dark. Two of my older girls came out and were put away fairly quickly. I had to hunt down the third and she refused to leave the older coop, so that is where she is spending the night. The younglings were apparently asleep in the downed trees branches and I had a heck of a time waking them up. I was only able to corral five of them, so I ended up having to leave the last two out and wished them good luck.

Unfortunate, I know but I did fix the privacy fence so hopefully they will have enough cover between that and the tree branches they hide in.

 

[cavemanrich]

Chickens not in a secure coop overnight are vulnerable.
Not sure of your location, so no idea of possible night time predators.
I hope all will be safe in the morning.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,, and

 

[Callender Girl]

I always freak out when everyone doesn't head back to their coops at dinner time. Six of the youngest hens live together in one coop, but only five came in to eat last night.

I searched all over for the Silver-Laced Wyandotte. Lavinia should know better than to wander into one of the big-girl runs, especially at meal time. But there she was, tightly curled up in a corner with her face against the coop. Lavinia wasn't injured, but they had clearly intimidated her because she, for the first time ever, put up no resistance when I picked her up and carried her to her own home.

I hope everyone in your flock is okay today!

 

[Cloverfluff]

Everybody made it! Yay! They came running when I got back in the morning. Definitely think they regretted staying out. Did a head check at dusk this evening. Everyone decided to sleep in the same coop tonight. Even Crown, the half silkie singlet, went in on his own. Usually, he tries to hang out in the run since the others like to pick on him. Took me a second to find him, since he tucked himself into the back corner.

 

[Cloverfluff]

Why is it that the older girls seem to take up so much space? I have four different feeding containers split up around the yard. This morning, I put a bit of mash in the front feeder and made sure all the older girls were settled in to eat. Then I hiked my way to the back of the yard to feed the younger sets, split between the rest of the feeders. Most of the time they will eat in groups, so you think this would be enough. But no, I turn around the older girls have followed me back and instead of eating altogether in one area, they decide to split up and take up the remaining feeders, effectively keeping everyone else from eating.

 

[Cloverfluff]

We had a hawk scare today. I heard an alarm call while I was in the house and took a glance out the window. I saw something sitting on the downed tree in the yard and it didn't look like a chicken. Unfortunately, I'm half blind at distance without my glasses so I ended up going out to check. It flew up into a tree outside the yard, so I was going to try and put everyone up for the night for safety. They did not agree to leaving their safe spaces though, so I will leave them be for now. I might need to get another rooster if none of my current younglings ends up being one.

 

[Cloverfluff]

Why do they always flock to you for treats, but when you want the whole group at once no one cooperates. I had to put everyone up in stages for bed this evening. The older girls went in first, though that's not surprising. Then I caught the attention of four of the twins before having to walk all the way back the to front of the yard for the remaining two. Crown had to be "chased" around the big pen twice, because he bypassed the tunnel system I made to funnel them to the door of the run if it is closed to keep everyone else in. I feel like I need to expand on the current run, but I keep telling myself that I will be rehoming a few of the twins once my broody hen hatches a new batch. That should give me a few more months.

 

[cavemanrich]

Post some pictures of your setup, and flock. Its easier to offer advice with a visual picture in mind.

 

[Cloverfluff]

Chickens can apparently jump like professionals. I went to let everyone out this morning but apparently wasn't going fast enough for one. I glanced up from the latch as I opened it and was met with a pie pumpkin sized flapping ball of feathers. Now I know I'm not that tall, but that was still a good 4-4.5 foot high jump, even if she didn't stay up for long.

 

[Cloverfluff]

My twin sets are definitely not afraid of dogs. My boxer was out in the yard with us in the morning and all six of them ran to right in front of where he stood and just stared him down. Luckily, we have already been through chicken training with him and he barely twitched at any of the six standing about 2 feet in front of him.