fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Hatch day here, one out and two pipped
View attachment 3848562

More Skywalkers?!

 

[fuzzi]

I was thinking about how two chicks have already escaped from the A-frame brooder...none of the previous hatch did that!

Must be the source of the eggs...

 

[fuzzi]

I'm not quite 18 months into my second go around with chickens. If you've been following me for a length of time you're aware that I post my thoughts, my successes, and my mistakes.

There's a lot of drama in the coop recently. Some may be because hens are frustrated by new chicks, but I think the juvies aren't helping. I've observed them being chased, a LOT. Last night when I checked on the coop before bed one was missing. He was okay, was hiding behind a board that is meant to be a hiding place, but didn't get out and up on the roost before dark. He was acting scared, so we had a little stroking time, then I put him with his siblings on the roost.

Martha is chasing them as well.

They're going to the auction next Saturday.

 

[fuzzi]

Four juvies hiding:

The Dominique cross boy won't fit in the hiding place. He's roosting by the door.

He's a pretty boy:

 

[fuzzi]

So...I was NOT prepared for two broody hens with chicks. I used a quail waterer for Rahab's group, and put feed on a leaf, or brick. The waterer was inadequate for a hen and four chicks. My regular chick waterer was a galvanized metal/canning jar combo, which never screwed on smoothly. When I cleaned it before use this time I soaked it and the other chick equipment in a vinegar and water solution. It rusted, badly. I added a small nipple waterer to Tamar's brooder but it also was inadequate.

Today I had a doctor's appointment about 30 miles away, and afterwards I drove a little farther to a great hardware/farm store that I don't frequent due to the location. I was able to purchase one chick waterer base and one feeder base. I needed one more waterer base, and found one at TSC. They were out of plain red, so I got one with a flower design!

Chick and Rahab approved!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks good! I really like that flower water station!
Those metal bases can be a booger, I have some but my goodness...

LOL Yes, with the Juvies, tiny chicks, warm weather and hens...that's a recipe for some chicken drama...most of the time if they do have some hiding spots or go to roosts, things work out.

The Dom X boy is pretty, but you never know, you may have a SS out of this next group you like better.

 

[fuzzi]

Today:

Neither Rahab nor Tamar are showing the fierce devotion to motherhood that Martha did.

Today I let both broodies out with their chicks while I observed.

One of the Sussex, Hannah, chased Tamar away from her chicks, and at one point climbed on top of Tamar and scratched her back as if she were digging up bugs. Then she mounted Tamar and acted as if she were mating with her!

Rahab escaped from the brooder, leaving her chicks alone.


Drama, drama...

Baskets are completed, ready for transporting the cockerels to the auction on Saturday.

I'm still not sure which ones go or stay, but at least 3 gotta go.

Now which one of the others do I sell or keep?

LOL Yes, with the Juvies, tiny chicks, warm weather and hens...that's a recipe for some chicken drama...most of the time if they do have some hiding spots or go to roosts, things work out.

The Dom X boy is pretty, but you never know, you may have a SS out of this next group you like better.

I'm not going to keep the Dom X, as I want to try to breed the Sussex. I'd have to get rid of him eventually, so why hold on to him?

 

[NanaK]

Then she mounted Tamar and acted as if she were mating with her!

Just a show of dominance.
I have a hen that will do this if I do not have a rooster with them. She takes over as head hen.

Wow! They are growing!

 

[fuzzi]

Just a show of dominance.
I have a hen that will do this if I do not have a rooster with them. She takes over as head hen.

Wow! They are growing!

Sure are!

LC, Limey, Blue, Purple, Dom X

Two were already on the A-frame roost when I checked a few minutes ago. LC was roosting on the edge of the wheelbarrow, Limey and Dom X were next to Martha. She kept pecking them and they kept squealing. I moved them to the A-frame.

It appears Martha and Hannah (right) aren't on speaking terms!

 

[Winderdear]

Sure are!
View attachment 3850765
LC, Limey, Blue, Purple, Dom X

Two were already on the A-frame roost when I checked a few minutes ago. LC was roosting on the edge of the wheelbarrow, Limey and Dom X were next to Martha. She kept pecking them and they kept squealing. I moved them to the A-frame.

View attachment 3850766
It appears Martha and Hannah (right) aren't on speaking terms!


View attachment 3850771

Wow! Hannah’s comb and wattles are so much bigger than Martha’s, no wonder she’s top chicken!

Which Dominiques are which in the last photo? I’m about to get another Dominique for my flock and have been wondering if I’ll be able to tell them apart by the tips of their combs. Looks like you could with yours! One leans to her left, the next to her right, and the last has a little zig zag shape!