MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[ManueB]

I think I've lost count, Mary is around her tenth or eleventh day setting ?

Even if the pullets are bored and needing to be outside as soon as possible, one week is not such a huge difference.I would trust the vet as he knows your flock so well. Maybe he knows the breeder they came from too ?

River would make a nice chicken name .

 

[RoyalChick]

I am thinking something along the same lines. I’m just not sure about how to acquire chickens. I could start rescuing. I’m just not sure what to do. I don’t want to contribute to the hatchery industry , but I’m not sure how else to add to the **** eventually. This is California and I don’t think we have lots of reputable breeders.

I am not sure that is true Michelle - in my search I keep randomly coming across breeders in CA. You can look in breeder directories or just search using 'near me' - there might also be small farms breeding bitsas.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm very pleased to see a properly shelled egg from one of the river chickens.

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They are very pretty little river chickens!

 

[BY Bob]

It was a big jump. I was ready for 3 + [0..3] but not the extra two. All the same, I'm pleased they're safe at my house.

That said, I have a feeling it will work out well. Peggy will be too busy to bother Mary's chicks and there are si many new girls, each of them will be safer than if she were on their own.

This has worked really well here. Betty is no longer picked on constantly with 2 more hens below her and the new ladies seemed to be universally respected. No one is singled out any more, Betty seems much happier. I really like the interactions and relative peace in the tribe these days. All because we added a couple of personality plus ladies. Aurora has really settled in as leader. I think adding more might make Peggy a better leader too.

 

[BY Bob]

Last night Katie climbed all the way to the top of the ladder.

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Woohoo Katie!

 

[BY Bob]

The problem in my eyes is they are inside the house. At their age and compared to a broody hatched hen that ranges, they have a lot of learning to catch up on. While in the house they are not learning much that is of much use to them when they go outside. Like many creatures I think, the first few (whatever period of time is relevant to the lifespan of that species) are critical to proper development.

This may be true but they will be in a safe environment outside and have other hens to learn from. My environment is way more dangerous than MJs and mine did just fine after 3 weeks of quarantine. In fact, it was probably the best integration I've ever done. Heck one of my new girls is now standing sentinel for the whole tribe. They learned very quickly once they were out of the quarantine coop.

Here's the reality though. @MaryJanet if they have Mycoplasma, are you going to get rid of them? Mycoplasma cannot be cured, only controlled, so if you are not willing to rehome them or cull them you would be adding Mycoplasma to your tribe anyway. What the extra time buys you is the ability to treat if you need to prior to mixing them.

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening MJ and everyone

 

[LozzyR]

River would make a nice chicken name .

Yes, we had a River.