I see that my old hen Sharpie has black scab like callouses on her feet, but she isn’t lame so I just leave them be.
Darn right she isn’t lame :p
1727382051895.jpeg
 
Oh yes the pecking order is just as real and as fierce with the hens. The worst fights I have had have between the hens. I also think it was no coincidence that every time one of the participants was broody. The natural pecking order is a huge reason I fully support those who are allowed to have roosters having them. Every one of my boys take their job seriously and immediately step in to break up hen fights. Most times disciplining both parties of the fight with a sharp peck to the head or shoulders. A good rooster or two stabilize the entire flock dynamics and prevent excessive bullying. Now, these silkie girls of mine, they have been no where near the bottom of the pecking order. Chiquita was rehomed to me due to bullying. When she was allowed to integrate she very quickly rose to near the top. She was the then top hen Butters 2nd in command and thrived. Poppet, she is the same. Tiny but a mighty spitfire who has a hoard of minions at her disposal and also has aligned herself with the current top hen Raven.
Egg layers & broodies get mean. When there's no hormones going on they're all sweet as pie!

Poppet & Raven reminds me of our Silkie Violet. When she was younger before she became alpha she would always toodle around w/ whichever hen was alpha at the time. Maybe that's how a subordinate hopes to attain headship?
 
I've told several about this forum throughout the years. I cannot make them join though.
Don't give up on them. It took me quite a while before joining. I saw a couple snooty threads in BYC's early infancy & didn't see the other benefits of BYC for a couple years. I lurked off & on & then I saw the helps threads & that got me joining. Now that I'm retired (& old :old) I have more time & interest. There's so much available no matter your poultry type or interests.
 
Don't give up on them. It took me quite a while before joining. I saw a couple snooty threads in BYC's early infancy & didn't see the other benefits of BYC for a couple years. I lurked off & on & then I saw the helps threads & that got me joining. Now that I'm retired (& old :old) I have more time & interest. There's so much available no matter your poultry type or interests.
They could learn to be poultry pioneers! :old
 
I’m sorry. I just want to follow Twiggy’s life !

:oops: Broke my heart when you rehomed him
It broke mine as well. You cannot say I did not try to keep him. Trying to keep him though almost cost me my dear Branches life. If he had killed Branch then, I could not have kept him then either. I would have never been able to look at him again. When I had my Branch, if there was a choice to be made between him and another rooster, no matter how much I liked them I chose Branch. I did it then, and I would do it again if he was still with me. George right now is the reason I did not seek out trying to get Twig back. I would trade Randy for Twig, solves that problem. George is going to be small, smaller then Twig. I cannot predict the future, but, Twig could seriously hurt George if he turned on him as well. I've fallen for George. George helped me heal before I knew he was a cockerel after loosing Branch. When I lost Drumstick, Branch was there and a special bond was formed. George was there in the aftermath of loosing Branch and that bond is strong. I've been blessed with special roosters and George is already shaping up to be another one.
 
I have learned a lesson.
Dont.Mess.With.Liaras.Man
I was catching random birds for health checks and grabbed Ric Flair. At this point Liara is paying attention. He has some missing pinfeathers and others coming in, I accidentally bumped a painful one and he screamed.
20240926_181426.jpg
Liara FLIES onto my arm and gives me a look, so I gently set mr. Flair down and stroked her crop. Satisfied, she flew off. Lesson learned, she has claimed her man. Good talk cheif.
Liara is the queen and I will allow her to rule.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom