MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

I frequently see Edwina with bloody bald spots on her legs where someone has helpfully depilated her leg feathers. So mine are not so much sorting out their differences as making everybody the same.

You must comply with our standards!

 

[BY Bob]

Yes! If I may jump on the offered soapbox? The thing is in Canada you are permitted to use antibiotics in food animals! You can be charged with cruelty for refusing medical treatment to an animal to avoid a withholding period near processing time, or to maintain Organic or RWA (raised without antibiotics) standards/certification there are some animals in which their use is banned here, pork for one, but bovines, ovines, (for both Dairy and meat) and Poultry can all enter the food stream here after being treated with most antibiotics, once the appropriate withholding period has passed. But just Try to find a Vet that will work with a small farm! Or on Backyard chickens! I’m going to check the mail again on Monday, and if I don’t have a package, I’m booking a tele-health appointment for the nasty infection “I” have! The swelling seems to be moving further up his leg, but it could just be the rain, please let it be the rain...
View attachment 2473145

Yes, go the telehealth route. Enough waiting already.

How very enlightened of Canada. That is actually good regulation writing.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

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

Legbars get the same treatment that leghorns get. There is a whole group of chicken keepers out there that refuse to engage them and see them for the smart curious birds they are. Rather they categorize them as flighty, nervous, and noisy. Then there are those that take their time, like I did, to truly know these wonderful birds. We describe them as friendly and easily handled.

Because of this and situations like Aurora the evil EE, I no longer listen to breed descriptions. Take a chance. Get some chickens you want. Work with them. Turn them into the hens you want. Each will have their own personality. Learn to relate to them on their terms. Just pray you don't get an Aurora. Although I have to say. I love her for who she is. She frustrates me to no end but she is who she is. I will cry when she passes and she will NEVER be forgotten.

 

[Ribh]

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.

Pay attention, ACM, I already said I think there's quite a difference between our chookies & the same breeds in America ~ though technically EEs aren't a breed. I know your girls are lovely & sweeties. It doesn't change the fact a lot of Americans seem to have difficult EEs ~ which is why I'm curious what they got crossed with because the Aracauna is a docile, mild, sweet tempered bird for the most part. If I was buying EEs I'd be asking that question.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh dear. Aurora looks like she is in such a huff in that photo!

In every photo.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Could also be, that he’s a bantam (smaller than any of them )

So they aren’t into short guys?

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you,. Where is @WhoDatChick to defend the EE too!

 

[BY Bob]

My hens peck at Jaffar’s neck because he lets them. Grooming maybe?

Yup, grooming. He is hen pecked and that is a good thing!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

To be fully accurate, she is a pure bred Dark-eyed Mayoral Blue Bantysweetcheecks. Often referred to as a ‘Blue DeB’. Very special. Very rare.

You guys are messing with me!

 

[BY Bob]

So they aren’t into short guys?

Well played!!