Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[Nambroth]

Nambroth, can you tell me how you introduced Willow and Panic pants to the hens? I would really appreciate it. I have a hen who is as evil as Lorp when she sees my 16 wk. old pullets (or my foot).
Sending good wishes for Lorp's evil and Derp's clumsiness.

Hello!

I gradually introduced them once Panic and Willow were old enough to have their adult voices... no more peeping. The peeping seems to sometimes set off the more aggressive older hens. Not sure why-- maybe it triggers them to realize the chicks are not their own and are possible competition? It is hard for me to say. I let Panic and Willow "meet" the older hens, while still separated by protective fencing, over the period of a week or two. Sometimes I would allow Panic and Willow to range while the older girls watched, or sometimes I locked the kids in the run and let the older girls out. In any event, it is probably normal to expect some squabbling and posturing for the first few weeks. I gave the two newbies some "panic rooms" (no pun intended) to duck into if they felt overwhelmed.... smaller crates that they could hide in. They were also lighter on their wings and could easily get onto any of the outdoor perches easily if they got chased, whereas the older hens were less likely to chase Willow or Panic onto a roost.

There are a lot of threads with ideas on how to do this if you search the chicken behaviors forum.

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

Nambroth when you went to visit the farmer that took on Panic Pants, did you find out if he has hatched any of Panic's chicks, yet for either olive eggers or his male offspring for food ?

 

[Nambroth]

Nambroth when you went to visit the farmer that took on Panic Pants, did you find out if he has hatched any of Panic's chicks, yet for either olive eggers or his male offspring for food ?

The farmer does not hatch his own. He gets 2-year old layers from the Amish, and then keeps them. I guess the Amish folks he deals with hatch their layers out, raise them to point of lay, keeps them for two years, and then sell them. So, no, he hasn't hatched any of Panic Pants' offspring. Maybe a good thing, given Panic's aggressive behavior toward my younger hens.

 

[CinnamonQueen]

Hello!

I gradually introduced them once Panic and Willow were old enough to have their adult voices... no more peeping. The peeping seems to sometimes set off the more aggressive older hens. Not sure why-- maybe it triggers them to realize the chicks are not their own and are possible competition? It is hard for me to say. I let Panic and Willow "meet" the older hens, while still separated by protective fencing, over the period of a week or two. Sometimes I would allow Panic and Willow to range while the older girls watched, or sometimes I locked the kids in the run and let the older girls out. In any event, it is probably normal to expect some squabbling and posturing for the first few weeks. I gave the two newbies some "panic rooms" (no pun intended) to duck into if they felt overwhelmed.... smaller crates that they could hide in. They were also lighter on their wings and could easily get onto any of the outdoor perches easily if they got chased, whereas the older hens were less likely to chase Willow or Panic onto a roost.

There are a lot of threads with ideas on how to do this if you search the chicken behaviors forum.

Thanks, Nambroth! I actually started a thread on that but it died after 2 posts.

I just wanted a second opinion before I did anything.

 

[NovaAman]

Any one want to see the most pathetic faverolle, Florus? Florus decided that he was bigger (which he is really) than my head roo, Rod Stewart... Rod Stewart re-arranged him... Again... Only this time from the backside, not the neck.


Ah well.. So much for a beautiful tail... LOL, BUT his beard is back!

 

[drumstick diva]

Other than that, is Florus back to his old self, his posture looks good

 

[NovaAman]

Yes! He's great, thanks. He's even had several offspring move to new homes. Boys did, the girls stayed. He's got a few mutt offspring that'll be heading for freezer camp soon.

 

[froggiesheins]

OOOPSIE, poor Florus is tailess for awhile. How will he be able to shake his booty for the girls????

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

The farmer does not hatch his own. He gets 2-year old layers from the Amish, and then keeps them. I guess the Amish folks he deals with hatch their layers out, raise them to point of lay, keeps them for two years, and then sell them. So, no, he hasn't hatched any of Panic Pants' offspring. Maybe a good thing, given Panic's aggressive behavior toward my younger hens.

Yes probably so, but hopefully Panic Pants isn't attacking any humans, since he seemed to know you and didn't attack you. And that aggressiveness has been redirected towards protecting his flock of older hens from hawks and predators since they free range all the time. And his personality maybe has settled down a bit since he is know near a year or over a year old and that his older flock of hens has taught him some manners, since they know how to deal with roosters.

 

[Nambroth]

Yes probably so, but hopefully Panic Pants isn't attacking any humans, since he seemed to know you and didn't attack you. And that aggressiveness has been redirected towards protecting his flock of older hens from hawks and predators since they free range all the time. And his personality maybe has settled down a bit since he is know near a year or over a year old and that his older flock of hens has taught him some manners, since they know how to deal with roosters.

Absolutely. Panic never did attack people, and to date hasn't, from what I've heard, which is good. He was still trying to kill my hens initially... I'd always rather see a gentleman roo get bred and pass on his genetics, than a possible hen-killer. It is possible for a roo to be both kind to his hens AND be aggressive toward threats such as hawks and predators. I think those roos have earned their reproduction!