Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Sorry for the long post but I do have pictures! Big deal here - Shehnai is officially in the Idiot phase.

Long story short, there's been ninja fighting and chasing here; Shehnai is going after Hazel, who is losing the fights now and is running.

I did not see this coming, that he would be randy before the pullets matured. I thought if any, they or the Buff Orps, would be the targets. But he fears the Orps. Hazel is not laying except for one or two eggs in the Spring so isn't particularly fertile either.

I think: he thinks he can dominate her and take her, and he's probably right, she is small and has never been a fighter and has always been socially timid. She became Queen by attrition and not by social climbing or dominant personality, she got her power through Queen Peanut. Now she rules by being the eldest, with certain looks and precision pecks and not much physical dominance.

I'm worried for her - she is 5 and is not in great health with her respiratory problems, I think her air sacs are scarred; heat waves hit her harder than others. She's breathing very heavily after these skirmishes. After a long run with Shehnai trying to get on her and grabbing her neck - she cannot outrun his long legs - she was breathing a honk with each breath, like whooping cough. I feel really sorry for her and am concerned.

She is getting some protection from the Buff Orpingtons. I saw Shehnai back down early on before I knew what was going on but I realize now it was only because the BO's showed up.

So Hazel spent time in the main run hiding from Shehnai. She did gather her BO troops by doing this long calling, and they answered her and assembled. They really huddled around her, Tedi next to her and Annie up on the ledge and Diane on the outer edge. They had a little preening party then.
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Shehnai came into the run and when he got toward the back area, Diane walked toward him, "foraging", pushing him away. That's him by the cement block.
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There's Diane, and that's him behind perch and the red top waterer, leaving. Hard to see.
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The Nomads all sequestered themselves up by their coop twice that I saw.
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With things temporarily calmed down I went about the work on the run expansion & roof for awhile, and then went to check on the Nomad Buckeye's feed up there. In that coop's run I fed Shehnai from my hand, then he skedaddled, because I had made a mistake (in hindsight) - I left the main run door to the aviary open, which is usually not a problem. So the Buff O's did their usual thing when they saw me up there and came up to see what's what. Hazel of course stayed back.

The BO's pushed the Littles off, who hung around outside the Little's coop run. Except for Shehnai, who apparently saw the opportunity to go after Hazel again now that the BO's were away from her. He must have walked directly down there, because very soon after he left there was squawking and shrieking and Hazel was running, and I ran back down to find her running around in the run and dodging, using every piece of furniture available, except she didn't go up to a perch as Shadrach mentioned in his article would be a good escape.

This was where I actually saw he had some neck feathers in his beak and was trying to jump up on her while they both ran along. She tore herself away in a dodge, I opened the human main run door to outside the complex again - I had opened it for her before when she was looking longingly for another place to escape - and she ran out. Shehnai stayed inside because he saw her through the wire and didn't think about going around, which I counted on. He tracked her moves up and down that alley but couldn't reach her. That's when she hid behind the coop to catch her breath and honked like she had whooping cough.

The BO's hanging closely with Hazel earlier out there in a peaceful moment
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Hazel had a drop of blood where the beak meets skin after this long grabby run. I thought at first she had been breathing blood out but it's not from the nares. It didn't look bad, and it would have stressed her even more to have me handle her so I just hung out with her protectively.
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At one point all the Nomads were in the aviary area up by their little coop but Shehnai was hanging close to the main run door out to there, looking to get at Hazel. Hazel wanted to go to the big coop because it was coming up on roosting time, which meant going by that door, but Shehnai's presence held her back. So Tedi moved to sit in the doorway. Annie was close there too, and then Diane took it upon herself to help again. She went out past Tedi and drove Shehnai back up to his coop. Here they are, Shehnai walking back up, Diane working up to a chase. Only the edge of Tedi is visible perched on the threshold.
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Advice & comments please - just monitor? Or is this situation different? I feel her health is at risk, but I don't know. She recovered from the heavy breathing relatively fast and she isn't wheezing all the time.

But the Queen is not thumping the Idiot like I thought she would; she used to thump him easily but now she is afraid of him and he does not fear her. I'm worried whether she can physically handle incessant fighting and running, that she hasn't the stamina / breath. His behaviour has really changed from just days ago and that may be freaking her out too. She looked kind of panicked about it all.

Do these randy rooster sessions usually occur in the morning and then again late in the day, so she'll have a peaceful middle of the day?

He is not going for the Buff O's - he fears them instead. Will they step up more to help her? I am thinking I should somehow create additional areas she can hide in and they can defend her from? Better visual blocks. To the ramparts!

Goodness. That sounds very distressing. And of course makes me anxious about Mr. Chips when he gets a bit older. How old is Shehnai?
I have no idea what to suggest but to send virtual hugs to you and Hazel.
Out of interest, do the BOs actually peck at him, or do they just stand around looking menacing?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

So you need new replacement birds for a lot of eggs... for yourself, for neighbors, or relatives? Ours are pets... the eggs are just a side bonus. We figure 3 hens won't lay next year leaving us just 3 Silkies laying for another 2-3 years. The sad story is not knowing which bird we will lose 1st cuz it will happen eventually & we're not replacing this time around. We love the fluffies so much I can't bear the thought...

Oh I really sympathize with this prospect! Have you plans for when you’re down to two? Would you keep just one alone?
I’ve thought about what should happen if can’t care for the gang here, or if I died, having a plan for where they should or could go, as DH is increasingly enjoying the chickens but he doesn’t want to be the sole caretaker. He has never handled any. I have some ideas - friends know of a large no-kill keeper, and my egg-selling neighbor has a relative she gives her older layers to live out their lives, but I haven’t spoken to anyone about it yet.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Goodness. That sounds very distressing. And of course makes me anxious about Mr. Chips when he gets a bit older. How old is Shehnai?
I have no idea what to suggest but to send virtual hugs to you and Hazel.
Out of interest, do the BOs actually peck at him, or do they just stand around looking menacing?

I was thinking this would be worrying to read for you! Hugs back for your anticipatory / planning worry!
17 weeks old exactly (given Hatch Day is June 2).

The BO’s generally beat him back weeks ago as he has been chasing and playing with and testing everyone for a long time, so there aren’t many confrontations with them that I’ve seen. The most recent interaction before all this was a short ninja fight and stare-down with Diane a week or two ago and Hazel ended it when she charged him from behind and took him totally by surprise with her ninja jump. It seemed to me then his tests were getting more lengthy and determined.

The BO’s just need to walk toward him with intent at this point as far as I can tell. They will escalate to a little charge / chase sometimes but he is very fast and I haven’t seen them touch him or actually ninja-fight since that interaction with Diane. Maybe he will try for them if he gives up on Hazel. Or maybe he’ll decide there’s a virtual buffet around him and go for everyone!

In the weeks prior, if he was in the mood for chasing he’d run at his hatchmates and even if a sister pullet just stretched and flapped her wings from 15 feet away he might charge her too. Or maybe she’s inviting that, she must know he’s hepped up? He seemed to find them easier pickings than Hazel and the BO’s. Haven’t seen him try to actually grab them yet.

 

[rural mouse]

Helpful!
Question - what do you mean in this last sentence?

Generally, the lead female sets the tone. If she doesn't like another bird, the rest (at least in her eyesight) won't hang out with that bird. This is more evident in smaller numbers. In the wild, that bird would be going off to find another flock. In large groups, the loner will find other birds also as loners and form a small group within the confines of the larger group.

In your case, Hazel is queen through default rather than by choice. He's picked up on that. She's also a semi-loner more due to age than anything else. When the hormones strike, the hens targeted first are the "easiest" to "aquire" (namely the loners). Theoretically, they're most likely to be willing to pair up with the "cast off" young cockerel. Now, he hasn't had a mature roo to teach him proper behavior, nor drive him out, but the situation is similar.

Posting now, cause out of time for the moment. Please ask more questions and I will respond when back from taking kid to work. This is an area of semi-speculation and attempting to put intuitive observation into conscious thought. Questions help me sort it out myself.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I agree with @rural mouse : as many obstacles as possible, no corners for him to catch her. I think that it is really, really good that the BOs are standing up to him to protects her....and it seems like Diane-Ida is willing to 'push him away'. GOOD, GOOD, GOOD! I know you want to integrate them, but could you keep the door between the two areas closed first thing in the morning...and then closed it up again early evening - to keep them separated during the worst part of the day (hormonally speaking)?

I think that if the B.O.s will defend her, they WILL get a good thumping or two in, and that will go a long ways towards teaching him manners. I think if you are able to monitor some (from a distance)...to be sure she is being defended....and see if they do actually thump him good...not just runs away...I think things will then settle down some. But, again, he needs to be thumped a time or two (or three!), not just chased/pushed off for him to learn his lesson.

And, yes, the boys mature faster than the girls, hence why he is interested in Hazel - she is mature, and less a threat to him then the BOs...easiest 'adult' target.

I think what RM (correct me if I am wrong, @rural mouse ) meant is if he wins Hazel over, then the others will fall in line and be his, too. Truth is, though, while it might help some, he actually has to work for EACH hen for them to become his. (Well, some hens will just fall beaks over spurs for a roo....no telling about taste for some!) but most need to be 'woo-ed' and have the roo show them he will be a good provider and look-out and escort.

I didn't know roos mature sooner, thank you! Good idea about the run-aviary door, yes I can do that. Maybe not needed yet? There haven't been any squawks or shrieks this morning! Maybe for now it's mostly going to occur later in the day. I've been up before the doors open, and just checked the cameras to see what they're up to and right now there's peace in the valley again. Hazel is foraging with the BO's around her near the waterer, and the Nomads are in a little group under the rhododendron, hard to see, it's the dark blob just below the light horizon, kind of under the words "forest cam 8"

Also good to know what I eventually figured what @rural mouse meant - that the rest would go along if he could woo Hazel.

Just a few days ago I had the thought "integration is coming along really nicely" while viewing the gang all together. So I don't think that has been lost, just there's this hormone factor that's come in. They were all taking the afternoon siesta together in the main run's perching corner. The Nomads were up on the high perches and the Bigs were below on a low perch and the ground litter. True, Shehnai was hanging and then going off and walking around, though staying near them, all on his own. That was a change I noted but wasn't sure what to make of. Maybe he was beginning his patrol duties?

 

[Sally PB]

I actually thought one or more of my oldest hens would have passed last winter. All three came through with shining feathers. The two I lost this past spring were of the youngest set. We'll see how the elders (3 Black Australorps) fare this coming winter.

The most birds I've had in my coop/run set is 11. Ten hens and 1 rooster. Right now, I have 8 hens.

I know for me/my set up, feathered legs are not going to work. I am also not going to try any "different" looking chickens out of fear of excessive pecking issues, so no Polish or Silkies. I'll probably get 4 Australorps/Orpingtons. TSC has a 4 chick minimum purchase.

We'll see what next March/April brings!

 

[janiedoe]

Is there a mental health clinic near you Kel?

Doesn't need one. She has online support. We are here to support her addiction.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Generally, the lead female sets the tone. If she doesn't like another bird, the rest (at least in her eyesight) won't hang out with that bird. This is more evident in smaller numbers. In the wild, that bird would be going off to find another flock. In large groups, the loner will find other birds also as loners and form a small group within the confines of the larger group.

In your case, Hazel is queen through default rather than by choice. He's picked up on that. She's also a semi-loner more due to age than anything else. When the hormones strike, the hens targeted first are the "easiest" to "aquire" (namely the loners). Theoretically, they're most likely to be willing to pair up with the "cast off" young cockerel. Now, he hasn't had a mature roo to teach him proper behavior, nor drive him out, but the situation is similar.

Posting now, cause out of time for the moment. Please ask more questions and I will respond when back from taking kid to work. This is an area of semi-speculation and attempting to put intuitive observation into conscious thought. Questions help me sort it out myself.

Thank you for this in-depth analysis, even if partial speculation. I won't hesitate to ask more questions or post further observations!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Well, I do not have a polish pullet to love on today.

They were a no show yesterday, but I woke up to this message from them..

I had to work yesterday evening and midnight . Sorry I didn’t get back too you but yes I do but they got a real bad cold and I wont sell them to anyone til I see if they get better . I won’t sell anyone a sick animal . I’ll keep you up dated I’m currently have her on antibiotics


I have since talked to them this morning. It is a wait and see game now. I'm hoping she recovers. They have not brought in any new chickens in 3 months so they think it is just the weather changing that brought on this illness. The polish and 2 of her Guineas she listed for sale are sick. They are in isolation now and being treated. If they recover, she is holding off for at least a week before re-listing them. I also have first dibs on the polish pullet if that happens.

I'm very sad. I want her, but I am so thankful they are honest about her and did not sell me a sick bird.

Remember that a bunch of avian respiratory illnesses remain at a low level and are still contagious even though symptoms subside.

If they haven't brought in other chickens recently they could have brought it in on their clothing or shoes from visiting other farms or shows, or it came in from wild birds, like MG in House Sparrows. Or it was just dormant living in a chicken they brought in prior to three months ago.

"Colds" don't happen spontaneously, it came from somewhere. This outbreak could have been triggered by the change in weather or multiple other stressors.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Remember that a bunch of avian respiratory illnesses remain at a low level and are still contagious even though symptoms subside.

If they haven't brought in other chickens recently they could have brought it in on their clothing or shoes from visiting other farms or shows, or it came in from wild birds, like MG in House Sparrows. Or it was just dormant living in a chicken they brought in prior to three months ago.

"Colds" don't happen spontaneously, it came from somewhere. This outbreak could have been triggered by the change in weather or multiple other stressors.

Also, although antibiotics can cover some infections plus possible complications of the original “cold,” most respiratory diseases are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antibiotics don’t work for viruses.

I’m glad that the seller is acting responsibly by not passing along sick birds! Signed, grandmother of two little kids who energetically pass along any contagious diseases within a 20-mile radius