- Jun 15, 2015
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Long story short, I got 12 giant Cochin chicks in the middle of december, last year. They were raised in the house by one of my Silkie roosters since no hen would take them, and even though they were inside, our heat didn't work great and I was still worried about them. They moved out in March.
One of the pullets was always different. She didn't talk much, and sounded different when she did. Kinda like a duck, instead of a chicken. She still does.
Since then, the rooster who raised with them, and lived with them ever since, got bitten by a copperhead and passed away about a month ago.
One of the now 11 month old cockerels, took over as head guy. They free range.
I have noticed more and more that Neveah, one of the hens, can't hear. Raven, the lowest rooster, stays with her all the time. That's my only comfort. It's like he knows.
She doesn't come when I call. They all know the 'here chick chick chick' (So cliche, I know
) and she doesn't come if she's looking the other way. If she sees the others running, she comes too. She's very nervous, smaller than the others, but also very sweet if you don't accidentally sneak up on her. She doesn't come when the roosters call, whether it's for food or predator or alert.
Raven is very good to her. He stays with her 24/7. But, he's also the low guy, and next to Neveah, the runt of the clutch.
I'm concerned about predators. She is pretty big, being a giant Cochin, but small next to the others. Raven is also pretty big. He is the most friendly, so when I'm out in the yard, he's usually with me, and Neveah's with him.
So, my question is, how can I help protect her? She's been free ranging since four months old, and I don't really want to lock her up now. But, if it's the only way to keep her safe, I guess she could live with...my bantam cochins???
Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance!
One of the pullets was always different. She didn't talk much, and sounded different when she did. Kinda like a duck, instead of a chicken. She still does.
Since then, the rooster who raised with them, and lived with them ever since, got bitten by a copperhead and passed away about a month ago.
One of the now 11 month old cockerels, took over as head guy. They free range.
I have noticed more and more that Neveah, one of the hens, can't hear. Raven, the lowest rooster, stays with her all the time. That's my only comfort. It's like he knows.
She doesn't come when I call. They all know the 'here chick chick chick' (So cliche, I know
Raven is very good to her. He stays with her 24/7. But, he's also the low guy, and next to Neveah, the runt of the clutch.
I'm concerned about predators. She is pretty big, being a giant Cochin, but small next to the others. Raven is also pretty big. He is the most friendly, so when I'm out in the yard, he's usually with me, and Neveah's with him.
So, my question is, how can I help protect her? She's been free ranging since four months old, and I don't really want to lock her up now. But, if it's the only way to keep her safe, I guess she could live with...my bantam cochins???
Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance!
