fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[3KillerBs]

The boxes are ready, with a little straw in each. I think I will add a little more straw and my fake eggs to encourage them to lay there, and not in a hidden corner.

This is a good idea.

When they reach Point-of-Lay, expect them to kick all the straw out. It's what pullets do.

Every single batch of them.

Even with the adults to show them how to make nests.

I heard back from the Speckled Sussex bantam breeder and judge, who offered her advice:

Red/Samuel is the best.

Blue/Joel is also good, though not as dark as Samuel.

Purple/Fleck is too orangy, and has too much black "bleeding" into the white tipped feathers.

So I'm planning to take Fleck to the auction next Saturday. If the two remaining cockerels can't get along then she recommended I keep the darker one, which will probably be Samuel.

Great that you were able to get advice about this.

 

[fuzzi]

This is a good idea.

When they reach Point-of-Lay, expect them to kick all the straw out. It's what pullets do.

Every single batch of them.

Even with the adults to show them how to make nests.

They keep going over and inspecting the boxes. The girls are interested, the boys not as much.

Great that you were able to get advice about this.

I'm so thankful that this breeder has taken time to respond to my emails and point out what faults I should avoid. She's been such a help.

 

[fuzzi]

One of my cockerels is lame, I started a thread here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/swollen-leg-band-too-tight.1586151/

I cut off his leg band.

 

[fuzzi]

This is Samuel, the one whose leg band was too tight.

 

[fuzzi]

Good news!

Samuel appears to be walking around just fine!

He does have a mark on his right leg:

Joel's band appears to be getting tight, I will cut it off in the next day or so. I will need to recruit my son as a rooster holder:

Purple/Fleck is headed for the auction, I will leave his band on until I remove him from the coop:

Actually, I think I could tell them apart without the bands at this point!

 

[3KillerBs]

I've had that happen with fast-growing cockerels when they got missed in the crowd.

He'll probably be OK after a bit, but do get the tight bands off ASAP.

 

[fuzzi]

I've had that happen with fast-growing cockerels when they got missed in the crowd.

He'll probably be OK after a bit, but do get the tight bands off ASAP.

Here is Samuel, a couple minutes ago.

His right leg still looks a little swollen, but definitely is better. He's putting his full weight on it.

He's up about 4' here.

 

[fuzzi]

Napping and preening in the afternoon heat.

Later the little girls took a turn:

 

[fuzzi]

 

[fuzzi]

I've had that happen with fast-growing cockerels when they got missed in the crowd.

He'll probably be OK after a bit, but do get the tight bands off ASAP.

The company that makes the expandable bands doesn't have larger than 9mm, which is what the chickens are currently wearing.

I just ordered zip-ties from Amazon. They're cheap enough. And they have other uses, too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BXSDV9SR/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3FOXFQMGBWSHB&psc=1