fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[NanaK]

Sometimes they will just take breaks. Usually if you want to do some baking or sometimes you just want an egg sandwich and happen to be out.

So you are not getting any eggs at all?
When was the last time you did?
Most you've gotten in 1 day? How long ago?

It is sometimes difficult to see proper color in photos online.
To me from what I can tell from the pics, I would guess this one (red arrow) should be laying just by looking at her comb. Not so sure about the others. Again true colors online are difficult.

Your boys in these pics look to have really bright red comes, too. Compare this to the color of the other girls.

There are some folks who can tell if a hen is laying by looking at their vent or laying their fingers between the pelvic bones to measure width. I've never tried to do that but seen it mentioned in threads here. Sorry don't have a link.

 

[fuzzi]

Sometimes they will just take breaks. Usually if you want to do some baking or sometimes you just want an egg sandwich and happen to be out.

So you are not getting any eggs at all?
When was the last time you did?
Most you've gotten in 1 day? How long ago?

It is sometimes difficult to see proper color in photos online.
To me from what I can tell from the pics, I would guess this one (red arrow) should be laying just by looking at her comb. Not so sure about the others. Again true colors online are difficult.
View attachment 3691518


Your boys in these pics look to have really bright red comes, too. Compare this to the color of the other girls.

There are some folks who can tell if a hen is laying by looking at their vent or laying their fingers between the pelvic bones to measure width. I've never tried to do that but seen it mentioned in threads here. Sorry don't have a link.

That's Hannah, and I know she's been laying.

My egg diary this past week:

11/18 - 0
11/19 - 1
11/20 - 1
11/21 - 0
11/22 - 1
11/23 - 0
11/24 - 0
11/25 - 0

 

[fuzzi]

Goodnight...

I found it interesting how there was a shuffling of positions, and how one pullet, Hannah, drove all the Dominiques off the roost. Once Joel settled in next to her he pecked the Dominiques to make them move. He gave Martha a small peck when she landed next to him, but she appeared to ignore it.

 

[NanaK]

I found it interesting how there was a shuffling of positions

I see some shuffling, minor pecks almost every night until each bird finds their spot. Their spot can be not always the same. As long as it's only minor pecking I don't interfere. If one goes continuously after another, I use my index finger to 'peck' them on the back at the base of the neck. Not hard enough to hurt but even gently they don't like it. Usually that deters it. I'll watch till almost dark when I know they can't see well.

one pullet, Hannah, drove all the Dominiques off the roost. Once Joel settled in next to her he pecked the Dominiques to make them move. He gave Martha a small peck when she landed next to him, but she appeared to ignore it.

When I've kept 2 roosters together for a length of time they divided up the hens among themselves. Not always equally divided. One rooster will be more dominant usually. I think Joel has a favorite!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The Doms are pinking up, but to me they don't look quite ready...could just be the colors I'm seeing (my monitor).

They all look very good!

 

[fuzzi]

When I've kept 2 roosters together for a length of time they divided up the hens among themselves. Not always equally divided. One rooster will be more dominant usually. I think Joel has a favorite!

I think he does, too. She's also been laying, and has the biggest, reddest comb.

I had chickens before, but much of this is new to me, and I find their social behavior interesting.

 

[fuzzi]

The Doms are pinking up, but to me they don't look quite ready...could just be the colors I'm seeing (my monitor).

They all look very good!

Thanks!

The Dominiques are also bigger, now. They're six weeks younger than the Sussex but caught up.

 

[NanaK]

I had chickens before, but much of this is new to me, and I find their social behavior interesting.

I have a chair in my run. Sometimes I'll sit out there with them a while. Just by observing their behavior, you learn a lot about each bird and their pecking order.

It is also a good way to see if anyone is acting 'off'. They hide sickness and injury so well, if you don't learn their personality it can be very difficult to tell if they don't feel well. I want to know as soon as possible if they are sick so hopefully I can help or at least give comfort care.

I had to bring one in yesterday. Her name is Daisy, one of my Cream Legbars. She will be 10 yrs old in Feb. Crop was empty, no bumblefoot, no swollen belly, but has runny poo. She has not molted yet.
She is in my brooder/hospital bin in the house. She did eat a whole scrambled egg and has been drinking water. She was acting sleepy, napping often and not moving, scratching around like normal. It may just be 'her time'. She has been with me a long time. She and her 3 sisters have always been sweet ones that like to be held.

I'm hoping she gets her spunk back. Geez, this is always hard.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think he does, too. She's also been laying, and has the biggest, reddest comb.

I had chickens before, but much of this is new to me, and I find their social behavior interesting.

The social interactions are always interesting. You have some girls that run up and start chatting right away like they are telling you the latest news or are complaining that so and so did this or that!! Others are shier, but slip around and interact a little while the others are busy discussing treats or your shoes

I have a chair in my run. Sometimes I'll sit out there with them a while. Just by observing their behavior, you learn a lot about each bird and their pecking order.

It is also a good way to see if anyone is acting 'off'. They hide sickness and injury so well, if you don't learn their personality it can be very difficult to tell if they don't feel well. I want to know as soon as possible if they are sick so hopefully I can help or at least give comfort care.

I had to bring one in yesterday. Her name is Daisy, one of my Cream Legbars. She will be 10 yrs old in Feb. Crop was empty, no bumblefoot, no swollen belly, but has runny poo. She has not molted yet.
She is in my brooder/hospital bin in the house. She did eat a whole scrambled egg and has been drinking water. She was acting sleepy, napping often and not moving, scratching around like normal. It may just be 'her time'. She has been with me a long time. She and her 3 sisters have always been sweet ones that like to be held.

I'm hoping she gets her spunk back. Geez, this is always hard.

I'm sorry to hear about Daisy
10years is a good old age. Sounds like you are doing what you can for her. Work on hydration, then eating. Sometimes giving a little sugar water or electrolytes can help "reset" them and they'll perk up.
It is hard, especially when you have some that have been with you a long time, it's not easy losing them. I hope she starts to feel better.

 

[fuzzi]

I have a chair in my run. Sometimes I'll sit out there with them a while. Just by observing their behavior, you learn a lot about each bird and their pecking order.

It is also a good way to see if anyone is acting 'off'. They hide sickness and injury so well, if you don't learn their personality it can be very difficult to tell if they don't feel well. I want to know as soon as possible if they are sick so hopefully I can help or at least give comfort care.

I had to bring one in yesterday. Her name is Daisy, one of my Cream Legbars. She will be 10 yrs old in Feb. Crop was empty, no bumblefoot, no swollen belly, but has runny poo. She has not molted yet.
She is in my brooder/hospital bin in the house. She did eat a whole scrambled egg and has been drinking water. She was acting sleepy, napping often and not moving, scratching around like normal. It may just be 'her time'. She has been with me a long time. She and her 3 sisters have always been sweet ones that like to be held.

I'm hoping she gets her spunk back. Geez, this is always hard.

I sat with them daily until the mosquitoes became unbearable, late July or early August. I sat with them more over this long weekend, it was fun.

Rahab is chatty, comes over to speak with me. Martha pecks my skirt or pulls on my shoe laces to get attention, treats. Hannah is a Barbie Girl, "look at me" type. The Dominique girls are changing, getting less shy as they mature. Their voices are a soft nasal honking, and it has more of a question sound to it when they're expecting treats like lettuce, grapes, collards, or bits of cheese!

Joel accepts leafy greens from my hands, he didn't use to. Today he came over to me as I was sitting in the coop, on my chair. He stared at me, but not in the focused manner he used for Samuel. I wasn't worried about aggression, and got the impression he was trying to figure me out.

I'm sorry Daisy isn't well