Esther and Winnie~ Emerald ~ Momma Time~ UH-OH Egg Overload P46

[barg]

Free rangeing? It wasn't planned but sometimes things just happen.
The following is written from my impression of the Girls point of view.

Winnie: Ahh look at it, what a beautiful day for a stroll dont you think.
Esther: Holy crap are we still inside the run when were standing here?


Winnie: c'mon eat some of this.
Esther: Are you sure were supposed to be here?


Domineak: Ohh grass!
Esther: Run for you life!
Winnie: Huh?


Winnie: Hey! your right the grass is better on the other side.
Esther: Are we safe now?


Winnie: cmon dood lets check out this grass over here.
Esther: Uh, I think were lost.


Winnie: MM this is good stuff!


Esther: What the hell is that thing!


Winnie: this is some great grass you found us, good find!
Esther: I want to go home!

And there it is, their first time free rangeing.
I don't plan to let them do this often because I have children that need the lawn (poop free)and they take priority.
This wasn't planned, in fact I almost ended up with all 6 of them out roaming around.
They ended up running around for about 10 minutes.
I would have let them go a bit longer but I had other things on the agenda for the day.

 

[rosyposyosy]

oh, they love free ranging. when ever i go to the chicken run, the chickens instantly dart to the gate, waiting to be let out. the eggs are a lot tastier too, when they free range, because of the fresh bugs and grass they eat the yolk is orange, and there is actually FLAVOR. they're run went from flowers (lots of overgrowth) to just plain dirt, and scattered straw. next year i plan on moving, and i'm deffinately making a tractor, so that they can have all the benefits, but still be safe.

 

[thndrdancr]

Did you accidentally leave the gate open? Wasnt real clear on that one! Yes, you can use any of my responses that I have posted anywhere.

Did you see my story bout that silly Fussy and the cat last night?
That cat was out in its yard this eve, it looked over at us, two houses away, flattened its ears, and went to the opposite side of its house!

 

[barg]

Quote:
Mine would have all the benafits if they would all get along so that I could move them around in their tractor, as it is Ive been modifeing their run/ tractor in an attempt to get them to the grass. The grass we have is really weeds and grows really fast so it's not that difficult.

Quote:
No I open the door to take pictures and the big girls come running over to get whatever they think I have, then the younger ones( more Esther) Try to get away from them.

I missed that post from last night, i'm going to look for it as soon as I stop typing so...

 

[barg]

Ive been saying for a while that I thought things would get better when Winnie started to mature.
I was right!
Winnie is looseing her fear of the older ones and is starting to work her way into the older flock.

Here is the problem:
Esther has now become a target of constant assault.
Winnie and Esther are still very closely bonded so when Winnie goes off into the older flock, Esther follows right behind, only to be attacked by the older ones.

My thinking is that Esther looks too different from the other chickens.
This may sound stupid, but I thought I may have read something about Dying chickens on this board once... that may have been a joke, but im desparate.
Is there a way to Dye, or otherwise temporarily change the color of a 16 week old pullet.
I think if Esther was black for a little while she might not have such a hard time.

 

[Windy Ridge]

Hm... not sure that your plan will work, but Blue Kote sure darkens feathers. They won't be black, but dark purple mixed with her natural reddish might be close enough. Plus, it's supposed to be a color that helps birds to stop picking.

Be careful, though... it stains EVERYTHING.

Again, not sure dyeing her feathers will cure anything for you... and keep it away from her eyes and face, of course...

 

[thndrdancr]

This is my worry. I wonder if I should ever have put Dash and Lily together. Dash worships Lily, follows her everywhere. Lily is bonded but its probably more like your Winnie and Esther, so I worry how its gonna go. Had I to pick, I woudnt not have chosen an naked neck, just cuz it scares me to death that she seems so fragile. Talk about lookin different and being a target.

 

[ozark hen]

Barg, they will want outside everyday now that they had so much fun and freedom, but totally understand your limited space for the children. I wouldn't want my children playing in it either!

 

[SpottedCrow]

It might work...
As for the naked neck cut off the end of an old tube sock...that will protect her neck some...

 

[thndrdancr]

Thanks, SC, thats a good idea, hadnt thought of that one.