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Big Boy is doing great! He is truly a gentle giant. AND, just like you said, the biggest blue girl does not do well in this 108* heat. Over a week of this Arizona type weather is just too much! A few days ago she nearly went down. I brought her inside the attached garage that has an air conditioning vent, for the night. It isn't real cool, but it is sure nicer than 108. The next day she was all perky and ready to go again. She does fine when I let them out to range. They all high tail it to the timber. Nice cool dirt under all those trees.
Last week I penned all the roosters, and put all my girls in a layers coop. The Giants really miss Big Boy, I believe. I may need to take him out of the rooster pen and put him in the layers coop with all the girls (40). I wanted to give all my girls (all breeds) a break from the constant chasing down and mating for awhile since I am done hatching for the season. It is just too darn hot right now. I really think all my girls miss their rooster. I think they come to rely on the boys for more than just protection. It is as if the girls just don't know what to do without a male to guide them. It is really weird what I am noticing.
Tonight at lock up time I saw a raccoon. The hugest coon I have ever seen in my life! It scared me, and I am keeping all the birds penned tomorrow. No free ranging for awhile. I have my trap set, but this thing looked to be bigger than my trap! Honestly, he was HUGE! My daughter went out and lit off some M-80s in the direction the coon went. I don't know if that scared him or not, but I hope it did.
I am glad Big Boy is doing well, and I really worried about the biggest girl with the heat-- I think it is because she's so fluffy. That bunch just loved going out in the snow/cold/rain, didn't phase them a bit, but the heat, well......
I really hope you catch that coon! The predators are getting bolder, and I had a possum in my yard this week that we had to take care of. I take the predator thing for granted being in a subdivision, but now I am back on guard!