fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[3KillerBs]

Am I reading too much into the behavior and comb development?

Behavior isn't a good clue at this age, but the comb can be.

I can often sex my Australorp boys at 3 weeks because they're fast-maturity.

 

[fuzzi]

Behavior isn't a good clue at this age, but the comb can be.

I can often sex my Australorp boys at 3 weeks because they're fast-maturity.

Here's Blue, from this afternoon:

Oh, and he came up to me and pecked me again.

Time out, bud.

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh, and he came up to me and pecked me again.

This is not promising for the future.

The boys who shy away from you tend to make for better-behaved roosters.

 

[fuzzi]

This is not promising for the future.

The boys who shy away from you tend to make for better-behaved roosters.

Yep. I did a bunch of reading here, this afternoon. Lots of different opinions, options. However, I am not going to deal with an aggressive roo, period. I don't care how pretty he is.

When my previous rooster Ping got rude with me I picked him up by his tail, looked him in the eye and told him to behave himself. He was then good for a couple years, before he got loose and ran into something he couldn't handle.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yep. I did a bunch of reading here, this afternoon. Lots of different opinions, options. However, I am not going to deal with an aggressive roo, period. I don't care how pretty he is.

When my previous rooster Ping got rude with me I picked him up by his tail, looked him in the eye and told him to behave himself. He was then good for a couple years, before he got loose and ran into something he couldn't handle.

I'm fortunate in that my Rameses got his act together after challenging me back in January.

I Hate to Say It, But,

 

[fuzzi]

Last night after supper I went to the compost pile to dig worms for the chicks, only found one tiny one, hmm.

I have a pile of broken down cardboard boxes next to the compost and found dozens of pillbugs! I collected a bunch in a cup and took them into the chicken run. I placed a few on my hand, bent down so it was just above the ground, and did the universal "chick-chick-chick" call. A few came over, slowly, then when they discovered what I was offering went wild! I refilled my hand and the initial hard pecks became very soft.

I went back to get more pill bugs, and on the return visit to the run the chicks knew exactly what "chick-chick-chick" means. Even Blue took pill bugs gently from my hand.

 

[fuzzi]

It's still cold here this morning so I took the opportunity to make a run to Lowe's for 1x4s to make the coop door. I also picked up a roll of hanging strap and a couple packages of tube straps...because I've seen both used here on BYC to good effect.View attachment 3408754

Just realized...I never did use the tube straps. They'll come in handy for something...

 

[fuzzi]

Had to sit and wait for a conference to end...did a highlight of the coop build with links to posts...if anyone is interested...

Hoop Coop Build Timeline

1/14/23 - Purchased cattle panels (dh assisted): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26454653

1/19/23 - Zip-tied cattle panels: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26469743

1/21/23 - Purchased 2x4x16s, attached 4th cattle panel, attached panels to wood with 1 1/2" staples:
A. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26474136
B. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26475389

1/28/23 - Added 8' 2x4s to ends: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26496739

1/29/23 - Added frame braces, pallet support to west end, started adding HWC: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26500073

2/4/23 - Too cold, stayed inside, assembled waterer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26517266

2/9/23 - Placed HWC over hoop (pm) (dh assisted): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26532873

2/10/23 - Attached end HWC to adjacent piece (zip-ties): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26535573

2/11/23 - Attached remaining HWC to frame & each other (dh assisted): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26538550

2/18/23 - Created door and door frame, attached to hoop frame:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26557799

2/19/23 - Added HWC to and around door, created door stop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26560487

2/21/23 - Finished HWC on door: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26567034

2/23/23 - HWC added around door, added hasps, door handle: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26572834

2/24/24 - Finished HWC around door, strap attachment to reinforce door: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26574491

Added tarps (dh assisted): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26575006

Added bungees, HWC apron by door: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26575746

2/26/23 - Created brooder with dog crate: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26581165

2/27/23 - CHICKS HATCHING! Finished brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26584216

2/28/23 - Final touches including power cord run under apron, mason jars for feeder and waterer, bought feed, created MHP: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26587205

3/2/23 - Chicks! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26591524

3/4/23 - Turnbuckle and large feeder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26596670

3/8/23 - Secured weak points around door, added hook & eye to inside of the door: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26611842

3/9/23 - All chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26614419

3/10/23 - Dirt introduction: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26617440

Solar motion sensor lights installation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26617483

3/11/23 - Roost build: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26620026

3/15/23 - Chicks roosting on branch: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26633457

3/16/23 - Chicks first time exploring on ground: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26636331

3/17/23 - Finished west end (pallet): https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26638548

3/20/23 - Chicks...opened door for day, first time, added leg rings: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26649735

3/21/23 - Removed waterer and feeder from brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26653394

3/22/23 - Most of the chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26656148

3/24/23 - Added 12" anchors: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26659439

Added dust bathtub: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26659452

3/24/23 - Left brooder door open all night.

3/27/23 - First pill bug treats for all: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26670080

 

[fuzzi]

Blue just fluttered/jumped up on my lap, preened, then settled down and took a nap...

 

[fuzzi]

A pile of partly composted leaves is an exciting addition to the run!