debbieharry
Chirping
- May 12, 2020
- 36
- 39
- 59
Hi everyone!
I am brand new to chickens and am the proud owner of three 9-month old white Leghorns as of three weeks ago! Their names are Debbie Harry, Annie Lennox and Chrissie Hynde. Goddesses from my youth!
I rescued/bought them from a local commercial farmer and they are doing well but have not had a great start in life. Perhaps this is why two of them don't know how to roost, and all three panic madly if I move too fast around them... But I gather the breed has a reputation for being a bit flighty so maybe it's a combination of nature and nurture? I have no idea how I'm going to deal with it if I have to pick them up to examine them so will be looking for tips!
Right now I'm accustoming them to my presence by taking them treats and clucking to them and staying nearby while they eat - they don't really notice me and are pretty relaxed unless I move too fast. They are in an enclosed run with a raised coop and ladder up to it, and I am using pine shavings for bedding and feeding them layer pellets plus introducing them to kitchen scraps and other foods.
I've read that Leghorns are skinny but great layers and am already seeing this - their egg production is off to a great start. One started laying the day I brought them home, and now she and another are laying every day with the other one contributing an egg about every three days. Their eggs are quite small so far, but some are larger than others - I cracked a large one for Mother's Day this weekend and it was a double yolker! Such a nice surprise.
I can tell who is top hen (Chrissie Hynde - she has the biggest comb (not sure if that's a factor?!) and just pushes the other two around. I thought Debbie Harry was the bottom of the pecking order but she seems to have switched places with Annie Lennox (who has the smallest comb - again not sure if this is a factor). I have noticed both Chrissie and Debbie pecking at Annie the last couple of days so I'm spreading out the treats in three dishes so everyone gets a chance, which seems to help. Are Leghorns known to be mean to each other? They have so much space compared to where they came from I'm surprised this is happening, although I have also seen the info about the fact that this is just how chickens are.
I love animals and am a single mom of a large 26-year old son. I have been filling my life with animals since he moved out...
I also have a husky-shepherd cross called Hector, who thinks the chickens are fascinating - he's very obedient though, and already understands he's not allowed to freak them out by going too near. They are secure in the coop anyway, which is egg-cellent because there are coyotes, rats and raccoons galore in my neighbourhood.
In terms of other hobbies I love cooking and write poetry. I joined this site because every time I Google a question about my chickens I get an answer here! am excited to learn all about how to care for my chickies and have already been getting so much great info from you all - thanks everyone!
I am brand new to chickens and am the proud owner of three 9-month old white Leghorns as of three weeks ago! Their names are Debbie Harry, Annie Lennox and Chrissie Hynde. Goddesses from my youth!
I rescued/bought them from a local commercial farmer and they are doing well but have not had a great start in life. Perhaps this is why two of them don't know how to roost, and all three panic madly if I move too fast around them... But I gather the breed has a reputation for being a bit flighty so maybe it's a combination of nature and nurture? I have no idea how I'm going to deal with it if I have to pick them up to examine them so will be looking for tips!
Right now I'm accustoming them to my presence by taking them treats and clucking to them and staying nearby while they eat - they don't really notice me and are pretty relaxed unless I move too fast. They are in an enclosed run with a raised coop and ladder up to it, and I am using pine shavings for bedding and feeding them layer pellets plus introducing them to kitchen scraps and other foods.
I've read that Leghorns are skinny but great layers and am already seeing this - their egg production is off to a great start. One started laying the day I brought them home, and now she and another are laying every day with the other one contributing an egg about every three days. Their eggs are quite small so far, but some are larger than others - I cracked a large one for Mother's Day this weekend and it was a double yolker! Such a nice surprise.
I can tell who is top hen (Chrissie Hynde - she has the biggest comb (not sure if that's a factor?!) and just pushes the other two around. I thought Debbie Harry was the bottom of the pecking order but she seems to have switched places with Annie Lennox (who has the smallest comb - again not sure if this is a factor). I have noticed both Chrissie and Debbie pecking at Annie the last couple of days so I'm spreading out the treats in three dishes so everyone gets a chance, which seems to help. Are Leghorns known to be mean to each other? They have so much space compared to where they came from I'm surprised this is happening, although I have also seen the info about the fact that this is just how chickens are.
I love animals and am a single mom of a large 26-year old son. I have been filling my life with animals since he moved out...
I also have a husky-shepherd cross called Hector, who thinks the chickens are fascinating - he's very obedient though, and already understands he's not allowed to freak them out by going too near. They are secure in the coop anyway, which is egg-cellent because there are coyotes, rats and raccoons galore in my neighbourhood. In terms of other hobbies I love cooking and write poetry. I joined this site because every time I Google a question about my chickens I get an answer here! am excited to learn all about how to care for my chickies and have already been getting so much great info from you all - thanks everyone!
Glad you joined.
