MJ's little flock

[LozzyR]

I am more confused than ever. I looked up the various breeds I am thinking about or already have:
- Wyandotte - 'docile' and 'tend to be high up in the pecking order'
- Legbar - 'There seems to be some disagreement about the temperament of this bird. Some sources say they are flighty, nervous and noisy; whereas others say they are docile, friendly and easily handled.'
- Rhode Island Red - 'tend to be in middle of the pecking order' and 'anything from docile to raucous and pushy'
- ISA brown - 'friendly, sweet and docile nature.' I would just comment that Diana is an ISA brown and is quite aggressive and a bit of a mean girl.
Sooo, I a left not having a clue and wondering if one Wyandotte and one Legbar will maybe be OK if introduced together. Sigh.

In my experience, ISA Browns are sweet and docile to humans but don’t take any guff from other breeds.

 

[LozzyR]

I feel I must defend my girls.
Both Edwina and Pepper are Easter Eggers and they are at the bottom of the pecking order.

Of course they could become mean given the opportunity I suppose... Power does tend to go to one's head.

I think that’s what happened to Charlie.

 

[LozzyR]

I have been fighting a cold since New Year's Eve. Everyone is screaming at me to go get tested. It's not COVID. It is a cold. The symptoms are not the same. No need for a test. Everyone wants a test immediately.

I say this because I got the cold running out to tend the chickens without wearing a coat because I'm lazy. Don't be like BY Bob. Take better care in the rain. It's not worth all the "get tested"!

I thought a cold was a virus and not weather-related?

 

[LozzyR]

Can you see Mary in the henhouse? She hasn't been broody today.

Yey Mary! I’m hoping Charlie gives it up soon.

 

[Louwin]

Hoping all goes well for you tomorrow MJ. What an exciting day. Cant wait to see pictures of the progress. I love looking at coop builds so i am looking forward to following yours.
I read yours on here BY Bob and was very impressed. I also love the ideas for expanding it. The dreaming and planning is as much a part of the fun as the building.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have been fighting a cold since New Year's Eve. Everyone is screaming at me to go get tested. It's not COVID. It is a cold. The symptoms are not the same. No need for a test. Everyone wants a test immediately.

I say this because I got the cold running out to tend the chickens without wearing a coat because I'm lazy. Don't be like BY Bob. Take better care in the rain. It's not worth all the "get tested"!

You are a microbiologist so you know you can't get a cold only from not wearing a coat - there must have been a cold virus somewhere in the mix! You just reduced your resistance by not looking after yourself properly.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Tomorrow is Lady Tradie Day!

So I've been preparing.

My first job is finished.

The old fence is dismantled and stacked up. This is where it used to be.

View attachment 2473440

It was in front of those red bricks in the foreground, then it turned and ran along the concrete, past the baby jacaranda, to the old garage.

Here it is now.

Stacked up timber and folded chicken wire.

View attachment 2473441

And the stacked up puppy play pen panels.

View attachment 2473442

My next job is to cut down these tall grasses so the tradies don't trip over.

View attachment 2473443

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Here is the plan.

We start from the peg in the foreground and go back.

View attachment 2473460

Then along the back fence, 1m out.

View attachment 2473461

Then back towards the concrete.

View attachment 2473462

Then along the concrete towards the jacaranda.

View attachment 2473463

Now another turn towards the back fence, but only a few metres.

View attachment 2473464

Another turn to place a wall between the jacaranda and the little coop.

View attachment 2473465

Back towards the concrete.

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And back to where we started.

View attachment 2473467

Can you see Mary in the henhouse? She hasn't been broody today.

This will be really nice when it’s done. Keep us posted on the project.

 

[LozzyR]

This will be really nice when it’s done. Keep us posted on the project.

Lots of photos!

 

[RoyalChick]

You have legbars so adding one more is no problem. There will be at least 2 of them. Why not 2 Wyandottes?

You are a shameless enabler! Indeed that would be the most logical approach and would take me close to my maximum flock size. I am thinking 8-10 in total (better 8 than 10) so everyone has loads of space because it seems that reduces squabbling.
But now I am wondering whether to not add anybody at all this year and follow Shad's advice to leave a nicely settled flock well alone.
There is more than usual uncertainty in the flock given Maggie's lash eggs in September. Assuming she survives the start of spring I wouldn't want to stress her out. But on the other hand she seems to enjoy chasing the road-runners and I think likes not being at the bottom of the pecking order.
If I went with three I would get another Legbar (but a golden crele one) and two Wyandottes (one blue and red and one black and silver). That way I can tell everyone apart.
As you can tell I am deeply undecided what to do!