Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[AccentOnHakes]

Have you considered leaving your feeder and waterer in the run? I leave both in the run and take them out at night. The coop would get too messy that way. I know some people differ, but I look at it this way: they are sleeping, so why would they be eating or drinking?

Some reasons:

-if you have an emergency and can't get out in the morning, your chickens will be hungry and thirsty. It's only a day and they won't starve, but it's still something that we should try to avoid.

-chickens are messy eaters! All the dust/ scraps left on the ground can attract pests.

-if it rains in the middle of the day and your feed is unprotected, it can get wet and go bad. On top of that, most chickens aren't going to stand in the pouring rain just to eat.

 

[Nambroth]

Have you considered leaving your feeder and waterer in the run? I leave both in the run and take them out at night. The coop would get too messy that way. I know some people differ, but I look at it this way: they are sleeping, so why would they be eating or drinking?

I couldn't run the heated bowl outside, but in the summer I have water both inside and out. I also don't care to leave food outside, as it's just asking for rodent and songbird problems around here. Having the food inside, I have zero mice, rats, or sparrows in my feed, plus it stays dry!
I've also had days where I couldn't get out to open them up until 9am or so, and I hate to leave them without for that long, especially once it's warm again, they drink frequently.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Some reasons:

-if you have an emergency and can't get out in the morning, your chickens will be hungry and thirsty. It's only a day and they won't starve, but it's still something that we should try to avoid.

-chickens are messy eaters! All the dust/ scraps left on the ground can attract pests.

-if it rains in the middle of the day and your feed is unprotected, it can get wet and go bad. On top of that, most chickens aren't going to stand in the pouring rain just to eat.

My run is covered in a plexiglass roof, so it is waterproof. As for them being messy eaters, mine aren't too messy with food, and normally eat the floor food first. (The lower pecking order hens eat it because it is easier to get than facing the higher ranked hens.) Plus, I pick up any uneaten treats every night. My feeder and waterer also are suspended from chains so they don't touch the ground. We have never had a problem where food cannot be put out in the morning.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

I couldn't run the heated bowl outside, but in the summer I have water both inside and out. I also don't care to leave food outside, as it's just asking for rodent and songbird problems around here. Having the food inside, I have zero mice, rats, or sparrows in my feed, plus it stays dry!
I've also had days where I couldn't get out to open them up until 9am or so, and I hate to leave them without for that long, especially once it's warm again, they drink frequently.

I see. My chickens have gotten used to coming out when I wake up, so they don't start getting noisy until 8:30 or so. If mine are let out too early, they get confused (schedule change) and start being loud and freaking out. They are so picky about their daily agenda!

 

[NovaAman]

I keep mine on a schedule too. BUT always have had water in the coop and food... just in case. Food and water are on oneside, away from nest boxes, and near the window. I also keep no shavings on that side, and use deep dishes for the feed and the waterer has a spill bowl just under it that will catch drips, but the birds can not drink out of...

 

[AllisonD]

Nambroth, Trousers may well be quite a bit smarter than your hens. I read somewhere that roosters are significantly smarter than hens; there's a survival advantage in them being smart... it helps them bribe hens for mating privileges and be canny when herding and protecting their flock. Hens only need enough brains to find food. There is no specific survival advantage to them being smart, they have a rooster to do all the brain work for them. I guess that's why roosters always seem to have more personality than the hens, too.

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

Smarter or not, you think after a few thousands years of being domesicated that all roosters would get the idea not to attack their owners, and spur them. Or to crow as much. Otherwise people would keep more of them, even if they were just pretty pasture ornaments.

 

[AllisonD]

Smarter or not, you think after a few thousands years of being domesicated that all roosters would get the idea not to attack their owners, and spur them. Or to crow as much. Otherwise people would keep more of them, even if they were just pretty pasture ornaments.

Well, we don't breed them for docility. We breed them for looks and virility and fierceness.

 

[drumstick diva]

Trousers is really" story worthy", we are going to need many updates and photos -hint, hint . What a great character he has turned out to be.! Now we are all going to want stuffed Trousers and Derp cuddly toys. Also need Trousers on a t-shirt, alone and/or maybe with Derp "going round the rooster." What fun

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Nambroth, Trousers may well be quite a bit smarter than your hens. I read somewhere that roosters are significantly smarter than hens; there's a survival advantage in them being smart... it helps them bribe hens for mating privileges and be canny when herding and protecting their flock. Hens only need enough brains to find food. There is no specific survival advantage to them being smart, they have a rooster to do all the brain work for them. I guess that's why roosters always seem to have more personality than the hens, too.

Wouldn't that be great if we could come up with some sort of chicken IQ test and be able to sex chicks by brain power!