MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

Nope. But I've seen them in other peoples runs (sorry can't remember who...)

if I see one of those perspex mirrors I'll snap it up!

I am planning to install mirrors as part of tomorrow's run upgrades. I have 2 from an old bathroom medicine cabinet that I kept instead of throwing them away.

 

[BY Bob]

Sunrise this morning....
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Those are beautiful photos!

 

[Shadrach]

The alpha gets to decide where she wants to roost. That is the privilege earned. It can be lower or higher. Usually it is higher. It doesn't have to be.

Mine insanely fight over the end of the roost away from the automated door. it has always been so in this coop. In the end though it is simply Alpha's choice what the best spot is.

I think she might be feeling her age a bit. It's a 14" hop onto the highest roost bar.
What I find interesting is Mels interest in roosting next to Fat Bird. Mel is second most senior but young.

 

[LozzyR]

Does your run have a mirror? Do they like it?

My girls do and they admire themselves in it. I got the acrylic ones from Bunnings and stuck them on Perspex, they’re almost as good as glass ones.

 

[LozzyR]

Nope. But I've seen them in other peoples runs (sorry can't remember who...)

if I see one of those perspex mirrors I'll snap it up!

Bunnings had little ones but now they seem to only have a big one which is quite expensive.

 

[MaryJanet]

Sunrise this morning....
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Those views are wonderful.

 

[LozzyR]

The sound breaks your heart. I always describe it as being a parent. I had to do things that made my children cry as well but it was also for their good. It really does pull at your heart strings.

When I went to integrate the pullets with the Isas for the first time, Lucy showed her alpha hen colours and was chasing the babies and pulling out their feathers, despite them being twice her size. Bessie ran up and down along the wire crying for her bed. I decided not to put them in together that night (I only had one henhouse at the time) so I caught them and put them back in the tractor. I was feeling fragile at the time so went back into the house in floods of tears.

 

[MaryJanet]

That blue is quite beautiful sitting in that nest. Congratulations!

I wasn't even anticipating eggs yet, much less blue eggs. It's made me happier than getting promoted at work

 

[MaryJanet]

The alpha gets to decide where she wants to roost. That is the privilege earned. It can be lower or higher. Usually it is higher. It doesn't have to be.

Mine insanely fight over the end of the roost away from the automated door. it has always been so in this coop. In the end though it is simply Alpha's choice what the best spot is.

I'm sorry to admit that I reversed my good chicken husbandry at roosting time last night.

The pullets did a brilliant job of running fast as they possibly could between Mary and the doorframe. They've worked out that she's a slow mover, you see, so scooting past her is their best option for gaining entry to the henhouse. The other aunties were safely on the other side of Mary.

They both jumped up onto the roost and Ivy began measuring and calculating her flight path up to the new branch I put up for her. A few minutes later, up she went for a perfect landing safe and sound up high and away from any bedtime pecking.

Peggy can't fly like Ivy can. She was walking back and forth on the roost, calling for her friend.

I ought to have left her there. But I picked her up and placed her next to Ivy. A failure on my part. An hour later I realised she wouldn't be able to get down. So I set my alarm.

Up at 5 this morning, I crept into the henhouse and lifted her down to a lower perch.

Instead of directly intervening in the roosting, I'll provide a smaller, slightly higher roost towards the back of the coop so it'll be uncomfortable for the big hens but just right for Peggy.

There're no guarantees she'll think to use it but at least it'll be an option for her.

 

[MaryJanet]

Sounds like your flock is actually settling in nicely. Everyone is filling their place in the order. You have done a great job with them.

Don't expect Sandy to let up. She is not going to lose her spot without a fight and frankly it is best if she keeps them as cowed as possible.

This morning there was a stand off between Peggy and Ivy. Peggy won.

So Ivy is lowest ranked for now. I'm ok with that because she's so agile, no one can touch her.

Most of the fights are between Peggy and Sandy. Peggy is faster but Sandy is smarter and out-maneouvres her. So one in five chases ends with Peggy's face pushed into the ground and Sandy saying, "Next time you won't be so lucky kid."