MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Just following up on Mary's eye.

She appears to have had a beneficial day on her own in the big coop. That said, the river chickens were out and about so they may have stopped by for some chats. And the run is not far away.

Her eye is open. She let me take a good look and I'm almost certain it's a pecking injury. A slight scratch on her eyelid closely coincides with the worst of the swelling. The scratch extends upwards to the top of her head and the corresponding head feathers have been pulled out.

I was blaming the river chickens because I saw Christa grab hold of Mary's neck and pull a feather out. But head pecking is more Peggy's style.

Anyway, when I got home from work I invited Mary to take some foraging time, and she agreed that it was a good idea, even though Peg was foraging too. The river chickens are in the funrun.

The pullets have been in the sleepout all day because it really is very windy and I didn't want them to be frightened.

I'll keep Mary wrapped in cotton wool for a few more days. She's a little slow moving after her recent stretch sitting on eggs.

 

[MaryJanet]

Well. Now I'm convinced Christa is the main pecking culprit. A minute ago, I had to intervene to get her off Janet's back and she came back at her four times! Janet. Who's been pecked by noone except gentle Mary this whole time. Janet, Peggy's boss.

I was shocked at how quick and aggressive Christa is.

Poor Jan squatted immediately yet still Christa grabbed her violently, over and over.

 

[LozzyR]

Well. Now I'm convinced Christa is the main pecking culprit. A minute ago, I had to intervene to get her off Janet's back and she came back at her four times! Janet. Who's been pecked by noone except gentle Mary this whole time. Janet, Peggy's boss.

I was shocked at how quick and aggressive Christa is.

Poor Jan squatted immediately yet still Christa grabbed her violently, over and over.

ISA Browns can be vicious! Lucy ruled with an iron beak!

 

[LozzyR]

@LozzyR how are the new pullets getting along?

They seem to be doing well. I’ve put a tub of dirt in for them and they’re scratching around and dirt-bathing in it. It’s not the fine, sandy stuff but they’re using it nonetheless.

You may or may not remember that the original quarantine tractor had a catastrophic failure. I removed the bedroom and fixed it so it’s an open outdoor cage. When we’ve been home, I’ve been butting it up against the open door of the prefab, so they’ve got some extra space to roam. I’ll take a photo on the weekend of the setup.

I’m feeling cautiously optimistic; when I dosed Nyssa tonight, I could hear she wasn’t wheezing. She sneezed a few times but I’m wondering if that’s because I’m shoving stuff down her throat. I’m really hoping I discovered the source of the wheezing and eliminated it.

 

[MaryJanet]

They seem to be doing well. I’ve put a tub of dirt in for them and they’re scratching around and dirt-bathing in it. It’s not the fine, sandy stuff but they’re using it nonetheless.

You may or may not remember that the original quarantine tractor had a catastrophic failure. I removed the bedroom and fixed it so it’s an open outdoor cage. When we’ve been home, I’ve been butting it up against the open door of the prefab, so they’ve got some extra space to roam. I’ll take a photo on the weekend of the setup.

I’m feeling cautiously optimistic; when I dosed Nyssa tonight, I could hear she wasn’t wheezing. She sneezed a few times but I’m wondering if that’s because I’m shoving stuff down her throat. I’m really hoping I discovered the source of the wheezing and eliminated it.

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[Grammy60]

Hello MJ and all my chicken friends

 

[MaryJanet]

Hello MJ and all my chicken friends

Hi Grammy! How are you?

 

[MaryJanet]

I've woken up with a new plan.

The river chickens will be in extended LBDT mode until Christa shows me she can be reliable. LBDT means foraging all day but with access to the laundry for laying eggs and proper food, and there are water jugs all over the place.

The pullets are fast, so they can share LBDT territory with the river chickens.

Mary can stay in the big coop on her own until she says she's ready for the funrun. Today is another "no thank you MJ, I'll stay here where I'm safe" day.

Once Mary's settled back into the funrun lifestyle, which should be within a week, the pullets can start roosting with the hens. And, if I can catch or coerce them, visiting with the hens in the funrun.

No harm in forming another plan whether it will be actioned is another matter!

 

[MaryJanet]

They're fussing with their feathers this morning.