I Built A Bridge!

[Teila]

Hi there

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and kind words. That one hurt big time!

Feeling a bit better today.

I ended up taking Tina to the vet as I did not want to lose her and could not risk rehoming the boys if she had anything contagious. Apparently, being broody, looking after the bubs, immediately going broody again, the bush turkey visit, the hail storm, Spot trying to mount her and fluctuating temperatures were all too much for Tina and basically her system shut down causing an impacted crop. We tried frequent massages and olive oil but no joy and the only other option was surgery but the vet felt her chances of survival were pretty slim and it was not going to be cheap.

So, I am down to 4 gals now; the boys left for their new homes yesterday. Digging the bottom of the barrel for this one, but on a bright note, lots of room for Cilla, Dusty, Blondie & LuLu now.

Going to stay that way for a while also. I think we all need some time to get over the recent upheaval and settle back into some degree of normality for a while.

IC I am sorry for your recent losses also but good to read that you have not lost any chicks recently.

I am also sorry to read about your red star. Having lost Brittney to internal laying, I know what an awful experience it is and yep, I researched and researched and also came up with the no cure scenario

I am pleased you caved into Chiocciola, I think some chick pics and good news would be nice all round at the moment.

Speaking of news, @16 paws I hope everything is OK with you hon, we have not heard from you for a while.

Thought I would share the most recent picture of George, taken just before he left. Beautiful little man:

 

[lizgarf]

Oh, Teila, that is so tough! I think that is the quietest this group has ever been - I think we're all just feeling the gravity of it. I remember when Tina hatched and the pain of losing Suzie, and I just couldn't believe you lost her too, and then having to deal with re-homing those two sweet boys - just too much! I am sending you as much love as my bandwidth can handle!

But, congrats on finding homes for those beautiful boys! That is never easy and I'm glad you were able to do so, as the alternatives are worse. And, congrats on the lovely life you gave Tina! She got to be a mum and be cherished by her human mum, all at the same time!

And hugs to you too, IC! So sorry about your red star. I loved my Stella and still miss her.

Things here have not been tragic, but not always easy either. After the hawk scare on Wednesday, I was awoken at 6:00 am on Thanksgiving morning by Frankie finding his full crow. I grabbed my remaining cat carrier (stay healthy, Penelope!), and put him in the laundry room, because I couldn't figure out how to fit it in the mancave, with Desi already in there. Then, as soon as I worked that out, Diego started crowing. I couldn't put him in with Frankie, so I grabbed the back-up collar and put it on him and it worked like a charm. I couldn't think of a worse day for it, as my neighbors were probably looking forward to sleeping in, and all the stores would be closed, so I couldn't make a third collar or buy a third carrier, but for now it seems to be working by putting Frankie (who I was having to manually put on the roost anyway) in a second carrier in the mancave and putting the second collar on Diego overnight on the roost. Diego's crow, so far, is quiet and sweet - like a little owl hooting, so I haven't needed to collar him during the day, and I haven't heard him try to crow with it on. Frankie's is almost as loud as Desi's - at least collared Desi. Plus, at least every other day, it takes about an hour to convince Frankie to return to the coop/run - not too different from Ginger, but she has other things working in her favor.

So, new ads went up on Thursday, this time with one for the cockerels and one for Desi. I've come to the conclusion that I want out of my relationship with Desi. I still love him, but I'm tired of his crowing loudly all day and worrying about it bothering the neighbors as much as it bothers me. I know I can't leave him out of the mancave at night because he'll wake people up in the morning, which makes it hard for me to go anywhere. And, now that Rousseau and Bettina are finally growing back their feathers, I don't want him tearing them up again or scaring the pullets or squashing the bantams. And, though I feel as sheepish as a middle-aged man with a trophy wife, I've basically fallen in love with Diego. I love his little owl hoot and I can't imagine him being able to cause as much damage or chase the girls around like Desi. I know I'm being foolish, and Diego could grow up to be just as troublesome as his papa, but he is sweet Rousseau's son, and it's hard to know for sure, and hey, I have a serious crush. Can you see why?



So, the plan is to re-home Frankie and Desi, and keep Diego. I can drag out the situation for awhile, but I think it would be the best for me and the girls if Desi finds a new flock. I don't know yet what I'll find for Frankie and Desi, and I'm not yet at the point of plan B for either of them, and I really hope it doesn't come to that. But, I have set the intention, so to speak, and I hope it works out for all of us.

 

[MistyMountain]

Teila, I just read this today. I am at a loss of words, but want to extend a virtual hug your way

. I am so sorry. She will be missed, not only by you, but by all of us here on the bridge.

IC, I am also so sorry to hear about your redstar. Sending hugs out your way as well

. I try to put on a tough face as think of my flock as livestock… but that never works. Each loss, even that crazy early morning crowing tree roosting cockerel hurt. We're all here for you both!

 

[ItalyChickie]

Teila - I kept rewriting this first sentence because I can't find the right words to express my sympathy... there probably aren't any right words, anyway, only hugs and love and positive vibes - so sending tons of those your way. But you really did everything you could for Tina, and, like others have said, while she will be missed by all of us, she did have a great life even if it was brief.

I'm glad you found homes for those two little boys - both of which are absolutely beautiful!

I'm glad I caved in to Chiocciola too! Some happy news and pics will be coming in about 12 days! (They're due on Saturday Dec 13)


Thanks everyone for the hugs on the loss of my red star. Quite honestly, after the 5 days watching her suffer and unable to do anything to help, it was almost a relief that she passed away... still sad, of course, but since there is no cure and nothing I did was even helping her be more comfortable, it really is better this way... she could not stay in a normal position those last few days, she kept trying to "stand" vertically - I am guessing there was major discomfort inside, poor thing...

Liz, Diego is gorgeous - I can definitely see why you have a crush! Good luck with rehoming the others! I'm also putting up ads rehoming my extra Cochins and Orps (2 of each) - let's hope it's a good week for finding boys new homes!

On that boy front, my other news is that 4 out of 5 BonBons (Bonnie's chicks) are boys. Or at least, I'm 99% sure at this point. Actually, 110% sure on 3 of them and have been for a while, but was hoping for at least another girl... no such luck. It's the year of the roo, it seems! And since these ones are barnyard mixes, I'll have a hard time rehoming them too... Not yet - once Bonnie decides she is done with them.

Oh, and speaking of broodies, Ombretta is STILL at it! Her "kids" are 4 months old now and the 2 Australorps are quite a bit bigger than her... it's quite funny to watch them settle in at night and fight for a space under one of her wings.

Good thing it's still incredibly warm here for December!

I think that's all my news for now... busy week ahead, but will do my best to not disappear completely.

 

[tommysgirl]

Hi all!

Teila sweetheart I hope each day is a little easier than the last for you. We lost our little dog Magic two weeks ago. Feathers or Fur it is just hard. It does sound like you did what what was possible for her and helped her last days be warm and comforting. Sorry for the loss of the boys but so glad you were able to find homes. I am bringing home a cuckoo frizzled silkie boy in Jan or Feb but if I could have I would have sure grabbed up one of yours instead.

Speaking of...Liz, I will do what I can to help with Desi. I think you are making a hard but correct decision for you and your little flock. In my future I see 4 pens each with its own rooster in charge. Brown Egg Layers, Dark Brown Egg layers, White and Colored Egg Layers, and Bantams. I am not there yet but if I were Desi could sure join my crazy bunch.

IC so sorry for your losses but guess what...we are having a hatchalong! I have 6 eggs under Julie Taylor...all vital at this point

they are due to hatch on the 13th. On or around Christmas Day I expect Santa to deliver some Pita Pinta and some barnyard mix chicks to Norma who is sitting on a golf ball right now and Gracie Belle showing that sisterhood and motherhood go hand in hand has been co-brooding with Julie again but she will get her own eggs for the hatch a long here on BYC and will hopefully be giving us baby bantam cochins to start the new year!

Craziness...

 

[Pooman]

So the hatch is done. We got 9/12. 3 early and the other 6 on staurday. One of em is not right though, same as what happened to 2 chicks earlier. He has a swollen hock joint, can either be an infection or misplace achillies. I cant seem to relocate the tendon. It doesnt feel out of place. But there is a scabby bit, its swollen and he looks unhappy. I'll see how he progresses and do the deed if he starts getting worse.

One of our hatches from last week got pecked in the eye.... It got swollen and nasty looking. So he was in with the new hatches recovering and on antibiotics. He is fine now, some gooey bits came out of eye, swelling is down. But i think the eye is buggered. So. All the new chicks were on a broad spectrum antibiotic. So im buggered if i know whats wrong with the sore leg guy. They are back to water now.

Shaky who is out of the brooder now, seems a lot less shaky. So thats good.

And Violet and Rose (the new light sussex bought from an auction) have learnt to use the step on feeder. Stuff you sparrows

Molly is being a great mum, brining her chicks outside now. They are growing well and friendly... Molly doesnt make frantic alarm calls when i go in there, so the chicks seem happy to run up and say hello to me. Which i havent seen with my broody experiences.

Also, i setup 3 separate nesting areas in the backyard with my 11 girls. Then the very next day i found 10 eggs... All in the usual nesting box. I guess the need to lay there over comes the fighting involved to do so. Didnt see any blood. But there are some fairly serious pecking order issues to get figured out. It is kinda good though i think for Snowy. She is the boss. I never thought she would be. But ive seen her deal,out some beatings to other girls, really surprised me how fast the fat old thing can move and how agile she can be.

 

[lizgarf]

Thanks, TG! your support in the Desi effort means a lot. I feel bad about wanting to rehome him, and I really wish the girls could tell me what they want. I think they have as mixed feelings about him as I do! But, it's always easier to get everyone in the run when Desi is already back in the coop and out of the way, and I think that should at least be a clue. But, rehoming him is proving harder than I first thought. The guy who contacted me when I first hinted at rehoming him never responded to my first follow-up email, which may have been too honest, and he didn't respond to my second email either. A guy I'm not sure about is interested, and I told him I'd keep him in mind, but I'd rather feel more confident in any prospective new homes. I think in some ways Desi would prefer Plan B to a shady Plan A.

So, this is interesting: for the first time since way before the hatch, Rousseau was up on the roost with everyone else! She had a really hard time getting up there, back when she had lost most of her feathers, so maybe those funny frizzled wing feathers actually have a purpose and finally helped her get back up! Silly little puffball. She's also hollering like she's about to start laying again. And, even more impressive, Frankie was on the same far roost with Grace! They weren't exactly snuggled up, but I can't believe she let him on there at all! She hasn't tried to kill him since he was a chick, but she still lets him know she doesn't like him on a pretty regular basis. I wonder how he managed to stay up there. Anyway, it's nice that he and Rousseau are finally out of that nest box, even though I still have to put Frankie in the mancave before going to bed.

Question for those of you with multiple roos: is there a point when it starts getting dodgy between them? So far, Desi has been pretty nice to the boys (I swear he was smiling when the two were trying out their crows the other day), and while Frankie and Diego aren't exactly buddies, they're not fighting. I'm wondering if this will continue this way until I am able to rehome them, or if I can expect blood anytime soon. Your thoughts?

Good luck with the hatches, IC and TG!
Teila, I hope you're hanging in there ok! I'm thinking about you!

 

[Pooman]

Liz

I keep my roos separate now. Except the 2 brothers. They just seem to fight the hell out of each other. And they are kept away from the girls so, they dont get damaged by them.

I do not know how people have roos running with their flocks full time. So many missing feathers, nicks and cuts on their backs. Hence the rooster boxes i have been working on.

However, all of Plymouth Rock, Orpington and Indian Game are large and heavy. Might be different with you breeds. I am eventually aiming to have the boys in only for 2 short periods each year where we incubate or broody some fertile eggs. The rest of the year they are going to have to be content with talking through the mesh

Edit, given they are living together already, sure no problems. Until they start mating. Then your birds are gonna be swamped by randy boys. Thats how Molly ended up with a massive tear down her side and a busted leg (which never healed properly), young ones growing up with the girls, mature and go for it. I really felt i let Molly down that day

So i have no tolerance now. Every night putting the girls to bed (if they have rooster in with them) i will feel their backs and sides under their wings to feel for damage. Have a torch if you feel some to check its not just broken feathers. Once we are done breeding. Back into his private pen

 

[tommysgirl]

@lizgarf I think it depends on the boys in question and how long they have known each other as well as the deference with which the youngsters treat the oldsters. Ike is a champ! He has been around since around the time Cosmo started crowing but he ignores Cosmo unless he hears a hen squawk b/c Cosmo is trying to mount her. Then he charges and Cosmo is smart enough to know that he had best be looking for other things to do. Ike has been very tolerant of the adolescent cockerels too as were Ozzie and the General before I found new homes for them.

What I have found is that if there are enough hens and separate living quarters and the young ones acknowledge the respect the older one is due than it seems to work. I have heard nothing but positives about Marans boys so I think breed temperament is related as well.

What doesn't seem to work around here is introducing new adult roos to established adult roos...cock fights ensue and it is a pain trying to keep them boys separate and whole and still allow the girls access to free range AND nest boxes. Ozzie and the General went at it multiple times. It never went too far but it seemed that they would mount the girls in one another's pens just b/c they were trying to start something.

 

[MistyMountain]

Hey everyone!! I don't have a ton of time to catch up on everything I have missed, but I have followed along. I have a big week ahead of me and need to be as productive as I can on all fronts.

I just wanted to share a bit of news with you all…. something you have experienced and I am just now experiencing… HOME GROWN EGGS from start to finish!! That's right, Sycamore Springs has it's first eggs from a pullet that was hatched and raised on the homestead!! Daphne, the white leghorn/SLW mix is laying… and oh boy she is laying BIG! Her eggs are bigger than her mother's eggs!! They are a very light cream color, a color I don't yet have in my basket! Other than her funky kinda ugly comb, I am really liking this mix!

Liz, I wanted to comment quick about how well Cielo and WIllie get along. Cielo was introduced at about ten weeks, nowhere near maturity. Willie accepted him and his sisters with open… wings. As he has matured, he has yet to challenge Willie. Same as TG mentioned above. If he mounts a girl, Willie runs over and delivers a well calculated peck to his head. Other than that, they avoid each other and roost on separate ends of a 6' roost. I think it all depends on the roosters, as mentioned above. I don't doubt that one day Cielo will try to take the crown, in which case I can only hope that Willie accepts the beta position.

I should also add that I do let Blackbeard and his group free range with the others. Blackbeard is not respected by the big flock hens, and so any fighting is between the hens and blackbeard. I have yet to see Willie or Cielo actually acknowledge him.

Anyhow, gotta run! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!