- Sep 7, 2011
- 11
- 22
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Hello from Martinez, California! My name's Vanessa and I'm a returning member. It's been awhile, since I've had a chicken (2012) but now am looking after "Daisy Mazie". My daughter went to the County Fair and returned after rescuing a pullet. She was placed and left in a box after who knows how long, from not being retrieved by the new owner. When my daughter inquired about it, they didn't want to put the pullet back in with the others being transported. She was interested in what the outcome would be for the girl and then came home with her. She came to my house, announcing she had a present for me SMH...
Ok, so now I have a pullet. She's rather large for being about 5 mos old. Doesn't lay yet. She was told she's a Wyandotte...but to me she's clearly some mix, maybe Ameraucana(?) She's very skittish and quite the escape artist...she's also whipsmart, highly intelligent and
she can fly, she can fly, she can fly 
. I've already seen her go from ground zero to 6 ft high and then catapult herself into the back neighbors yard, before flying into the next door neighbors yard. I've got more on her but the reason I'm here is;
I'd like to get her a companion or two, in the hopes to calm her down...BUT very concerned about managing the introduction and subsequent pecking order trials that may ensue. Previously my experience as a backyard chicken owner was with my Beloved Lucy, a two year beautiful Naked Neck. She was a rescue that took to me and my dog and cat and provided beautiful large pinkish brown eggs when she wasn't broody. She was the penultimate backyard chicken and I loved her an awful lot! Someone opened my gate and placed two young pitbull mixes into my yard, after finding them running loose on the street. In turn, they ripped my Lucy in two, she was free range and by the time I made it home, she was barely alive...it was a terrible lesson in the vulnerability of these birds. I couldn't have been more miserable about what happened to my Lucy and after the ER, and vets got involved, it turned into a case, where the city animal control, police and local government, as well as the SPCA, filed charges and won. Sadly the dogs were euthanized, but such is the outcome when owner's don't manage their responsibilities.
My questions for anyone listening:
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and your patience with me, not having the time to go through all the files and to find the answer in the forum.
Vanessa
Ok, so now I have a pullet. She's rather large for being about 5 mos old. Doesn't lay yet. She was told she's a Wyandotte...but to me she's clearly some mix, maybe Ameraucana(?) She's very skittish and quite the escape artist...she's also whipsmart, highly intelligent and
she can fly, she can fly, she can fly . I've already seen her go from ground zero to 6 ft high and then catapult herself into the back neighbors yard, before flying into the next door neighbors yard. I've got more on her but the reason I'm here is;I'd like to get her a companion or two, in the hopes to calm her down...BUT very concerned about managing the introduction and subsequent pecking order trials that may ensue. Previously my experience as a backyard chicken owner was with my Beloved Lucy, a two year beautiful Naked Neck. She was a rescue that took to me and my dog and cat and provided beautiful large pinkish brown eggs when she wasn't broody. She was the penultimate backyard chicken and I loved her an awful lot! Someone opened my gate and placed two young pitbull mixes into my yard, after finding them running loose on the street. In turn, they ripped my Lucy in two, she was free range and by the time I made it home, she was barely alive...it was a terrible lesson in the vulnerability of these birds. I couldn't have been more miserable about what happened to my Lucy and after the ER, and vets got involved, it turned into a case, where the city animal control, police and local government, as well as the SPCA, filed charges and won. Sadly the dogs were euthanized, but such is the outcome when owner's don't manage their responsibilities.
My questions for anyone listening:
- Is there suggested best practices for adding another pullet or chicken to the mix?
- Would a certain breed be better over others?
- Does age matter for adding a new chicken...younger or older better?
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and your patience with me, not having the time to go through all the files and to find the answer in the forum.
Vanessa
