Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BY Bob]

Well speaking of cannibalism and savage little monsters... We had two incidents. Last night a raccoon got a hold of one of the farm hens (she’s traumatized but ok) and this afternoon the sapphires decided to object to mr Eyebrows affections (I assume). He is now tailless and was bleeding. I staunched it with cornstarch and Blu Koted it. He didn’t even make any noise when he was assulted. I noticed his comb tips were a little black and was worried about frostbite, then I noticed the bloody beaks on the ladies and his back end looking off.

He’s too sweet a rooster to fight back even. He is now crated in the barn (will I ever get and keep the darn crate empty?) he kept falling asleep in my arms and didn’t even react to the cats. If I had a taller smaller Crate he would be in the trailer with me overnight. He did eat a few meal worms, and I will probably cook him up some egg and tuna tomorrow morning. He really needs to be ok. He’s Bb for blue eggs, beautiful, well tempered, and gentle with the girls (I don’t know why they turned on him, today is day three? Or maybe four since the chicken shuffle)

That's wild. I'm trying to picture the assault and I can't quite get it square in my head. I've seen Patsy run off Jabber but I can't imagine them ganging up on a rooster. You really do get to experience it all Kris. Wow!

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope Mr.Eyebrows heals well.

 

[Ribh]

Well speaking of cannibalism and savage little monsters... We had two incidents. Last night a raccoon got a hold of one of the farm hens (she’s traumatized but ok) and this afternoon the sapphires decided to object to mr Eyebrows affections (I assume). He is now tailless and was bleeding. I staunched it with cornstarch and Blu Koted it. He didn’t even make any noise when he was assulted. I noticed his comb tips were a little black and was worried about frostbite, then I noticed the bloody beaks on the ladies and his back end looking off.

He’s too sweet a rooster to fight back even. He is now crated in the barn (will I ever get and keep the darn crate empty?) he kept falling asleep in my arms and didn’t even react to the cats. If I had a taller smaller Crate he would be in the trailer with me overnight. He did eat a few meal worms, and I will probably cook him up some egg and tuna tomorrow morning. He really needs to be ok. He’s Bb for blue eggs, beautiful, well tempered, and gentle with the girls (I don’t know why they turned on him, today is day three? Or maybe four since the chicken shuffle)

I think Mr Eyebrows was lucky. Back in the day... we got a batch of rescues [ISA Browns] which I split with my friend @ the farm down the road. She also took a rooster with her 1/2 dozen hens ~ a big, black meanie of indeterminate heritage. Her hens hated him but as he was bigger & meaner than they were he ruled. Then one day he wasn't to be found. The girls had made an end of him so thoroughly they didn't eat him when they were done ~ just left him to rot. Chickens can be vicious.

 

[Kris5902]

So, the Sapphires are a mean breed? I guess that I won't be getting any of those, then.

Well I wouldn’t necessarily say mean... High strung and flighty, a little assertive, and apparently not as promiscuous as the red hybrids (they are shameless flirts in my flocks!). My sapphires are a CCLxLH and mostly look like leghorns (though there are some funky combs?). I don’t know if it’s the change of boys, the addition of younger pullets, or what that set them off, but I have a tailless Roo now. And I can say he wasn’t rough with them, so it seems mostly unprovoked. There must be some chicken psychology at work here I’m not aware of.

We are in for another cold night so I’m a little concerned about the 7 week olds and the ladies in the other meat tractor with Bob. Mr Eyebrows was looking somewhat better when I put them up for the night, he was a little more perky, but still far from his usual self. He’s going to sleep in the Barn crated with Sammy and the Rehab girls... I’m vaguely considering switching Sammy into the tractor and letting Mr eyebrows recover with my rehab girls, but then I wonder with his penchant for white chickens if he wouldn’t maybe dare even worse!

 

[Kris5902]

I think Mr Eyebrows was lucky. Back in the day... we got a batch of rescues [ISA Browns] which I split with my friend @ the farm down the road. She also took a rooster with her 1/2 dozen hens ~ a big, black meanie of indeterminate heritage. Her hens hated him but as he was bigger & meaner than they were he ruled. Then one day he wasn't to be found. The girls had made an end of him so thoroughly they didn't eat him when they were done ~ just left him to rot. Chickens can be vicious.

Poor guy, but he sounds like he had it coming a bit... Mr Eyebrows is a sweetie. He just curled up in my arms and was nodding off to sleep as I waited for Andrew to come help with the Blu Kote (yeah my fingers are blue... again!) and so i could get a good look at the damage. Sitting right there with my cats right beside him. He barely protests being handled at all, even under normal circumstances when he at his best.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

Best of luck with your little fella

 

[Kris5902]

Still full dark out here, I’ve headed down to the Farm proper to Lurk waiting for the building Inspector. Everyone has been opened up for the morning except the Barn (they have water and can eat the spilled feed from yesterday until I get back up). I’m starting to worry about the Littles at night, did I take them outdoors too soon? They still haven’t figured out the roosting bars for sleeping, though they happily play on them during the daytime... starting Sunday I plan on building out more permanent temporary shelters. I just need to get past this Saturday Fall Market.

 

[aart]

I’m starting to worry about the Littles at night, did I take them outdoors too soon?

How old are they...still on heat?

with the BI!

 

[Kris5902]

We have the OK to pour!!!

Now I need to walk back to the trailer and check Mr Eyebrows, feed the Littles and the girls in with Bob the Barnvelder, and let a probably very disgruntled Sammy and girls out of the Barn. @aart the Littles are about 7 weeks and fully feathered, I worry about the little toes on the wet ground though... there’s plenty of roost space for everyone, they just aren’t using it at night.

The 1 week olds are still on heat at the other persons property (with actual power). And there’s been rat incursions there (lidded screened totes do make good brooders!) he caught one large Male Norway rat two days ago. Until I have reliable power and an indoor brooding space (hopefully soon with the house build!) this will definitely be my last late hatch.

 

[aart]

We have the OK to pour!!!

WOOHOO!! Congrats!

@aart the Littles are about 7 weeks and fully feathered, I worry about the little toes on the wet ground though... there’s plenty of roost space for everyone, they just aren’t using it at night.

Might want to put them on the roost well after dark for a few nights.