Hatching with 2 broodies

[Teila]

I probably made my neighbourhood sound really bad; it is not that bad
I guess what I was trying to get across was that we all need to be a little tolerant of those around us. I don't complain about the dogs (I love dogs), or the parties etc because I figure I have my little corner and my chickens etc. What I am trying to say is 'live and let live'; while they may not be happy with your chickens I am sure they are not perfect neighbours in every respect either? Anyway, as I said, I could go on for ever about the subject but will climb down off my soap-box

Liz, I truly believe you have not done the wrong thing and while stressful now, things will settle. After weeks of watching the bubbies hide and squawk every time Cilla or Dusty went near them I was beginning to think that I would have to have two separate runs; but each day is better. So far today I have not heard one peep out of any of them, quite happily pecking around the run and finishing off the watermelon!
Remember how Dusty used to 'go for the kill' every time someone acted even remotely distressed? Even she has settled down now and pretty much ignores everything unless it involves her. When I was at my wits end someone told me that space is very important and I have noted that since everyone has been free ranging together they are much more settled when in the coops and run with less space.
I hope I don't sound like I am preaching, but if they are not fighting and actually hurting each other any more, I am sure peace will soon return and you will have no regrets and more eggs, woo hoo!

 

[lizgarf]

Thanks, Teila! It's very helpful to have your support on this decision. Like you, there is a limit to how many birds I can have, and I was regretting filling up my coop with a messy situation and a couple old hens someone else didn't want. But, things are already going better, just a few hours after I last wrote. It was relatively easy to lead the home flock back to the coop from the backyard, as the Bradies were still in the run. I watched as the home flock settled in and the Bradies seemed intimidated to come back in. I left them for a bit and came back to find the Bradies on their high roost and most of the flock on the main roosts, though Rousseau and Lucy were trying to figure out where they could get back on it after being booted off by Grace, no doubt. They made it back up and everyone seemed ready to turn in for the night, at a few minutes before sunset. Woohoo!

And maybe your made your neighborhood sound a bit colorful. Just a bit. Every neighborhood has its character! I'm not the house hosting the Sunday morning drum circles, for instance.

 

[Teila]

Tee hee Liz, the drum circle gave me an idea ... make a recording of the drums so that when Desi wants to have a crow you could play it back and not only will it drown him out the neighbours will blame the drum circle! Problem solved! lol

Seriously now, I am so happy for you that things went a little smoother this bed time; that is a huge step in the right direction! Things will definitely get better from here on in

On a totally unrelated note, I just stopped by the computer as that was as far as I had got with the vacuuming. I was just wondering how my tiny little cat (runt of the litter, 3 years old and a feather weight of 3kg) can drop more hair than she appears to have on her tiny little body?! lol

 

[lizgarf]

Tee hee Liz, the drum circle gave me an idea ... make a recording of the drums so that when Desi wants to have a crow you could play it back and not only will it drown him out the neighbours will blame the drum circle! Problem solved! lol

Hahaha!! That's a great idea!
Honestly, I can't imagine any rooster being louder than Rousseau is right now. I need to get a hen collar!

 

[Teila]

Tee hee Liz

"Yummeee, thank you Mum!"

 

[Teila]

Frogee Update:
OMG! I have tadpoles

I read on Friday that the eggs could take 5-7 days to hatch but I just went to check on the eggs and I have tadpoles! Further research says anywhere from 2 to 20 days!

 

[lizgarf]

My house chicken is going a little rough. I have a dog and a cat. They both want to eat it and sometimes the chick will get to flapping around and the Rocky (the dog) just cant help himself and lunges at it. He gets a wack and settles back down sitting up on his tail begging like he is about to get the "treat".

So funny! I can totally see my dog doing that. Sounds like your house critters are better behaved than mine! Mine would never stop chasing a chick inside the house.

Congrats on the tadpoles, Teila!!! That was so fast! We should all switch to frogs.

 

[Teila]

Congrats on the tadpoles, Teila!!! That was so fast! We should all switch to frogs.

Liz; yep, no hanging around waiting where frogs are concerned
I got such a shock when I saw these little things swimming around the pond! Then, being the absolute worry-wart that I am, when they stopped moving around I thought they had died. I'm really learning this as I go along. Turns out they hatch and then don't do much except hang off plants or the side of the pond for 3-4 days when they start swimming around some more. I actually got to watch some hatch. I got a look at one of the parents last night and I am pretty sure they are Pobblebonks! Gotta love that for a name!

 

[Teila]

Just call me butter cos I am on a Roll !!

I'm watering the native ginger near the bottom pond watching the goldfish swim around. There are 6 pretty big fish in there and they have spawned on many occasions but no babies because they probably eat all the eggs ... next thing this tiny baby goldfish goes swimming past!! Hopefully the little fella can continue to not get eaten

 

[lizgarf]

I have been worried that all the commotion in the flock might jump-start Desi to take some vocal action, and it appears it has! He made his first crowing attempt this morning! It sounded just like one of those roll-out noisemakers. Maybe a little louder than Rousseau's screaming or similar, but much shorter, so easy to miss it. Such bad timing! He's not grown enough to get his adult collar, and the neighbors are probably not feeling generous if he does make a lot of noise soon.

On the plus side, after another noisy and tense morning, things are currently quiet. The two flocks are still avoiding each other, but no actual fighting. We may be almost out of these particular woods, and on our way into the rooster thicket.