Hector's World: Adventures and Mayhem at Mountain View Poultry (or Sequel to The Evolution of Atlas

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She looks like a good mom, congratulations.

I lost my older salmon faverolle hen yesterday, she was a sweet little hen. My oldest Orpington hen who is top hen sat with her all day as she got weaker and died, she has done this a few times with the older birds.

I generally would cull but it seemed like a gentle passing for her so I let her go on her own. She is one chicken that brings tears to my eyes. She was only 5 years old, but was a favorite, probably due to her being on the bottom of the pecking order, so she would get secret treats from me.

 

[BantyChooks]

She looks like a good mom, congratulations.

I lost my older salmon faverolle hen yesterday, she was a sweet little hen. My oldest Orpington hen who is top hen sat with her all day as she got weaker and died, she has done this a few times with the older birds.

I generally would cull but it seemed like a gentle passing for her so I let her go on her own. She is one chicken that brings tears to my eyes. She was only 5 years old, but was a favorite, probably due to her being on the bottom of the pecking order, so she would get secret treats from me.

I'm in the same position here. My 8 1/2 year old hen is failing and I can't see her possibly surviving the winter. But yet, I can't kill her while there's the slightest chance...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm in the same position here. My 8 1/2 year old hen is failing and I can't see her possibly surviving the winter. But yet, I can't kill her while there's the slightest chance...

The old Orpington hen is 10 with arthritic feet and back, but I can't do her in either as she seems to do okay most days. Hopefully your old girl hangs in there. Thank you.

 

[BantyChooks]

The old Orpington hen is 10 with arthritic feet and back, but I can't do her in either as she seems to do okay most days. Hopefully your old girl hangs in there. Thank you.

Aww, poor thing. Mine would be in better health had her former owner fed her right. Instead, she was horridly overweight with wrecked feet when I got her. I think I got her weight back down a bit, but the damage is done. She's gotten worse in winter for the past 2 years, but she's always bounced back once it warmed up... This year, she hasn't. Maybe I'll spoil her and bring her indoors for winter. I know she'd like that.

 

[speckledhen]

I usually let them all pass if they seem peaceful and are not picked on, surrounded by their friends. Nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned. They know they are loved, all of them.


ETA: I'm sorry for everyone losing the older ladies. I wonder if my 8, 9 and 10 year old hens will survive this bad summer we're having.

 

[speckledhen]

That snot Hector! ACK! I'm about to flip him upside down and pluck him alive! He was out with his hens just awhile ago so I sat on the hammock to wait for Thea to dustbathe to make sure she went back into the barn to her eggs (she came screaming back up like a rocket, throwing dirt everywhere, LOL).

I was not seated 2 seconds before Hector charged up to me in that position with front end down, head up and stared me straight in the eyes as if daring me to do something. I'm about done with that stupid behavior. I need another squirt bottle to keep on the hammock to shoot him right in the face the minute he pulls that nonsense. If he crosses the line EVEN ONCE, he's GONE. He's over a year old and has never flogged anyone, but this challenging behavior, even if it is simply because he has more hormones than girls right now, is not acceptable. And the heat is not making me feel very patient, either.

His kids are running all over the place the day after they hatched, very robust and energetic. Lizzie is a great mom.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You have more patience than me with those boys. A single charge would be the last charge, especially in a bigger breed like your boys. I think you need a super soaker.

 

[speckledhen]

You have more patience than me with those boys. A single charge would be the last charge, especially in a bigger breed like your boys. I think you need a super soaker.

Yes, I do need one of those! Trust me, if he'd flogged, that would have been his last chance ever here. That is my line in the sand, but this stuff is really getting on my nerves now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes, I do need one of those! Trust me, if he'd flogged, that would have been his last chance ever here. That is my line in the sand, but this stuff is really getting on my nerves now.

My big goats scare me now, I don't like going in the area with them without a stick because they are so pushy. My donkeys scare me too these days. So far I can still handle my chickens, but I haven't thankfully had an aggressive one in a very long time.

 

[speckledhen]

My big goats scare me now, I don't like going in the area with them without a stick because they are so pushy. My donkeys scare me too these days. So far I can still handle my chickens, but I haven't thankfully had an aggressive one in a very long time.

You'd love my Brahma rooster, Sebastian. He's the biggest sweetheart ever. And he's BIG!