Do you spoil

[testertheresa]

I am beginning to think that I am the only one who spoils chickens like dogs and cats. Do you spoil you feather family if so what do you do?

I swing them on the porch swing while they are sitting on my lap while I feed them grapes.

 

[Vicker]

If trying to keep them as healthy as possible is spoiling, then yes. Going overboard with treats and toys? No.

 

[AllThoseFloofs]

Yes, I have 3 ducks, 3 guinea hens, 5 turkey poults and 4 chicks. Everyone is free range on a large farm with daily treats. my ducks LOVE the hose and being sprayed with it, and surprisingly my turkeys also like the hose on the mist setting. Long story short, my birds would not survive 1 day in the wild

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Spoil them? No, never. Well maybe. I'm guilty. Just every chance I get. From cuddling those who'll let me to shopping trips just to find discounted vegetables, greens or fruits for them. My boyfriend is just as guilty because he's driving me there and often it's his idea. Sometimes I'll select one to carry around the yard when I'm doing other things. We had a visitor come by earlier today and I was walking around with one of my 9 week old ducklings. Another day I was carrying my Easter Egger rooster while I went over to talk with a neighbor. Every morning they get a treat (greens, veggies, fruits or scratch) and a smaller treat at bedtime. My chickens tend to be greedy and often push my ducks out of the way. Even my guineas expect their treats and holler at me in anticipation.

My newest hatchlings, all hatched by a Runner duck.
Easter Egger cockerel 5/26, he's in my bedroom in a brooder.
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I felt so bad for him being alone, I got this little girl as his companion. (given to my by a local feed store)
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These were hatched by the same Runner duck as the chick, between 6/2-6/4 - more to hatch.
View attachment 3137513View attachment 3137514

Momma duck now has her own 8x4 coop area. I'm used to chickens hatching ducklings but not ducks sitting/hatching chicken eggs.

My coops (2 more behind large coop). Building in far back houses guineas and momma duck - on back side. Dog kennel to left, they're quick to alert to anything or anyone within 200ft of them and tell me when any of the flock escape or even squabble.
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This area is now my rooster pen, it's behind the main pen. View attachment 3137517

Some people think I'm spoiling them using umbrellas but they provide shade and protection from overhead predators. My pens total about 4500sqft, too big to cover, so I found using the umbrellas and 4ft poles staggered in more open areas works. I lost 3 ducks prior. Lesson learned.

Oh the umbrellas are a neat idea.

 

[Elsi Noelle]

I am beginning to think that I am the only one who spoils chickens like dogs and cats. Do you spoil you feather family if so what do you do?

My girls come up to the front of the coop when they see me. I like to bring them stale bread or leftovers, also watermelon rinds are a treat. They know that I am the one who feeds them these things so they watch for me and see if I come outside.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Are they spoiled if their coop is air conditioned?

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Are they spoiled if their coop is air conditioned?

Wow that's awesome. My girls would love that I am putting fans in the run but I wish we could do that

 

[Chickassan]

I put the dewormer on pieces of freaking candy when it has to be done....so yeah I'm probably in the spoiler category.
Candy is sweetened with fruit juice, before anyone starts up they're already fat.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Wow that's awesome. My girls would love that I am putting fans in the run but I wish we could do that

When we moved into this house, we found a relatively new AC unit in the workshop, so I just put it in the window every year and seal it off best I can. It's not nearly as awesome as it sounds. And I have to clean the filter every 1 - 2 days.

 

[NanaK]

I've enjoyed following this thread. Thought maybe it could use some pix?