Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[NovaAman]

There is nothing like a faverolle... NOTHING! Except maybe a faverolle silkie cross... LOL

 

[Sk8inChick(en)]

I can't wait for the Derp plushies to go on sale!!

 

[Simmonsfunnyfrm]

I can't wait for Spring so I can order me some Favs! I ordered 5 this Spring, but the day they were supposed to ship the hatchery told me they had a bad hatch and so I had to choose a different breed

I ordered them because their description said they were calm, gentle, and laid cream eggs, but I have since discovered the Derp thread and now I want them in a whole new way.

 

[NovaAman]

Find a local breeder if you can. You will have much nicer birds then.. Really. AND you will actually get the birds you want. Hatcheries are nice really, but when they don't have what you want, and you have to get something else... you will never be satisfied...
If you were closer, I'd be willing to sell ya an unrelated boy and girl. NO, I do not ship. I don't like the idea of shipping birds...

 

[Nambroth]

Today I have Derperella inside with me. The flock dynamic has changed in the last two weeks. Derp squats for the other hens-- she's always done this-- but now they all pile onto her and pull her feathers out when she does it. Even dear sweet Coho and friendly Chickadee run to squatting-Derp and grab great beakfulls of her feathers and pull them out. They focus on her face-- she is again beardless and has no cheeks. They even do this when we have our daily or twice daily free ranging time.

In the past, when one or two hens have been aggressive, I have done some "time out" sessions so that their rank in the flock would get lowered and it's always worked. But what to do when all of them (except the new chicks) gang up on Derp? Poor Derp now runs and cowers between my feet every time I go out. I have to feed her separately because the others all push her off of the multiple food areas.

Today I couldn't stand it and brought her inside. She's relaxed and acting normally in here... something she wasn't doing outside. I know that I am not helping her ranking with the flock by having her separate but I am not sure what else to do. I was afraid her quality of life was suffering. Have the other hens just now finally figured out that Derp isn't "all there" and are treating her accordingly?

 

[vannaHaines]

I think Derp was destined to be a house chicken all along

She's too beautiful and special to be amongst the commoners, so to speak.

 

[Nambroth]

I think Derp was destined to be a house chicken all along

She's too beautiful and special to be amongst the commoners, so to speak.

How do people deal with house chickens? I need to do some research. I have no realistic way to chicken proof my home for when I am not here, so I guess I would need to crate her? This will require some thought!

 

[vannaHaines]

I personally don't have a house chicken (yet), but you could get a chicken diaper and when she's 'free ranging' around the house you can have her in her diaper. I've read that people line them with panty liners to make clean up super easy and fast. When no one is home a big dog crate might be in order.

 

[silver1313]

I think chicken diapers and crate would work well .. poor derp

 

[alisar]

Can I chip in for a mini coop outside? La chateu Derp?