MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

I've just come in after doing the quarantine coop and those pullets drank *half* the polypipe water, which is 1.5 litres consumed. That's a lot for 3 little ones. Even on hot days I have never known 1.5 litres to go in a day. I wonder if they were thirsty when they arrived (seems most likely) or if they simply like the flavour of mains water (seems less likely because we all know chickens prefer spicy rain water). Two thirds of the pullet pellets were gone, a quarter of the crumble, and a little of the layer pellets. Of course, they were obliged to be petted, poor darlings.

They look stressed for certain.

 

[MaryJanet]

They look stressed for certain.

Until today, Bernadette has been rather pecky. The Australorp was taking every opportunity to hide behind the tiny Brahma.

But Bernadette doesn't seem as nasty today.

 

[BY Bob]

Until today, Bernadette has been rather pecky. The Australorp was taking every opportunity to hide behind the tiny Brahma.

But Bernadette doesn't seem as nasty today.

Maybe the order is established and she is satisfied with her position? Could the others have accepted her as leader?

 

[MaryJanet]

Maybe the order is established and she is satisfied with her position? Could the others have accepted her as leader?

Maybe they're feeling more certain of their environment and not as stressed?

 

[MaryJanet]

This video is from last night as the pullets were roosting. She was trying for the beam.

Aim high Bernadette!

 

[BDutch]

Beginning to think the Marans might be a cockerel. That's ok because he can go back and be swapped for a pullet. The old gentleman offered a swap and then he repeated the offer as I was getting ready to leave.

Are you quite sure?
I would do this asap, bc the owner keeps selling his young pullets and you don’t want to trade him for a younger chick and start to quarantine all over again.

(I made that mistake 10 years ago)

 

[MaryJanet]

Are you quite sure?
I would do this asap, bc the owner keeps selling his young pullets and you don’t want to trade him for a younger chick and start to quarantine all over again.

(I made that mistake 10 years ago)

I'm not sure, no.

The good thing is that he had soooo many eggs in his incubator. 100s. I wouldn't be surprised if he did another batch after those ones. His case of "chicken obsession" is the worst/best I've ever seen!

So I can take a little time for crowing to start, if it's going to.

I won't mind quarantining again if needs be.

 

[MaryJanet]

I know this observation is the opposite of popular opinion, but every time the hens are confined to their run, they do much better than they do with free ranging in their day.

More poops than usual and they're more thoroughly digested than usual. Weight gains. Cheerful attitudes.

Maybe the forage in my backyard (what there is of it) is unhealthy? Katie has got her energy back in full and her comb is turning red. Mary and Peggy look like a pair of feathered happy buddhas. Melissa doesn't let being in the run stop her from chasing pigeons or hopping up on things.

The difference is clear and almost immediate.

 

[RoyalChick]

This video is from last night as the pullets were roosting. She was trying for the beam.

Aim high Bernadette!

I love the period of calculation before she leaps!

 

[BY Bob]

Maybe they're feeling more certain of their environment and not as stressed?

Certainly that is also a great possibility! I am sure they are less stressed now.