fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

When I left, about 12:30pm, they were still selling poultry, but getting towards the end.

 

[1muttsfan]

I bet it's a lot quieter around your place now, having that many hormonal teenagers can really raise a ruckus

 

[fuzzi]

Zack is still being chased, poor little fellow.

 

[kcan2]

Zack is still being chased, poor little fellow.

Awe, who was that gunning for him? As if he didn't have a strange enough first day without his brothers!

 

[fuzzi]

Awe, who was that gunning for him? As if he didn't have a strange enough first day without his brothers!

That's Rahab, and she's being protective of her chicks, so I understand. Notice she only chased him enough to establish a zone around the chicks.

I suspect once he is obviously a rooster there will be a change in attitude by the hens.

 

[fuzzi]

Last night I went out to the coop before full dark. Zack was on the A-frame roost, on one of the "steps" that's about 3' off the ground. As I approached I heard him make little nervous noises but I walked past without noticing him, though I spoke softly. After checking the wheelbarrow for eggs (they love laying in it!) I returned past Zack, turned around, and spoke again. I was less than a foot from him, and started singing the Zacchaeus song, softly. He sat there, transfixed, quiet. That's what I want to see, not an irrational fear of She Who Brings Grapes.

 

[fuzzi]

Busy day today for the flock.

I decided to remove the dog crate brooder, as it makes the hoop coop feel crowded. Tamar was only using it at night, and Rahab has moved her bunch into a nesting box for sleep.

Boy did they enjoy the space, the uncovered dirt, AND the flake of straw I tossed down!

I moved the bucket feeder back under the tarp, supported by two blocks instead of one.

I worked on improving the perches. I brought in a new block, then raised the branch higher.

I placed another block underneath the upright perch support, and although it was fairly stable, took the half block I'd removed and used it as a support brace. It's also a hidey hole for little chicks.

That was the north side of the coop. On the south side Martha got serious with digging by another perch support. But no worries...

...it's got a good base.

I also added some fresh straw into the tire, in case one of the hens wanted to use it as a nest. Nope. It became Dig-o-Rama!

Martha

Tamar and chicks

Speaking of chicks...guess who got their first leg bands? Yep. Tamar's two got blue and turquoise, Rahab's four got yellow, purple, pink, and lime green. I'll check them once a week, make sure they're not getting tight.

And the lonely boy?

Zack kept out of the way, though he didn't hide much. The Sussex just peck at him if he gets too close, but a couple of the Dominiques are a tad aggressive about it. He's not being chased, just reminded of his place. And he's got his dad's white wing feather.

Zacchaeus doesn't show aggression towards the two-week old chicks.

I didn't leave the chick feeder there, it was a temporary location.

They won't need it, they're already hopping up on the bucket feeder tray.

Happy flock!

 

[fuzzi]

Who said that the two broodies would probably nest together at one point?

When I saw the chicks' heads hanging out I didn't know both hens and six chicks were compressed into one small nesting box! I realized it after I looked at the picture.

Whether or not warranted, I was concerned for the well-being of the chicks, didn't want them crushed, so I separated the mommas. And since I had just added leg bands, I knew which chicks went where!

 

[kcan2]

Who said that the two broodies would probably nest together at one point?
View attachment 3858611

When I saw the chicks' heads hanging out I didn't know both hens and six chicks were compressed into one small nesting box! I realized it after I looked at the picture.

Whether or not warranted, I was concerned for the well-being of the chicks, didn't want them crushed, so I separated the mommas. And since I had just added leg bands, I knew which chicks went where!
View attachment 3858613
View attachment 3858614

Wow, what a smush-fest it looks to be in there! No elbow room to be had. I once had a kitchen about that size. Your ladies would have zero problems going RVing together.

Your chickens look so happy with their reorganized run. Lots of busy things to do...Zack sure is getting leggy!

 

[1muttsfan]

Like the best laying spot, the best resting spot is the one that someone else is already occupying.