MJ's little flock

[BY Bob]

My friend decided to sit down with me for a chat.

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How wonderful.

 

[BY Bob]

Hiya!! Newb here too. I also joined to learn. I'm in the boonies, but I didn't want a large flock. I have Rodney the rooster, and 2 girls I named Minnie, and Pearl. Rodney has already earned his keep. I think he's a little aggressive with the girls, but no one has gotten hurt, and no one looks stressed. He appears to be showing off when I'm out there, and starts bossing them around, but he doesn't like my "chicken stick", just a soft stick I found on the ground, so if he gets too bossy, I say, Don't MAKE me get the chicken stick, boy. Lol....he's also a praise hound. When he's done a good job on something, he knows what "good boy" means. He flaps and crows, lol!!

Can you share some photos? They sound lovely.

 

[ChickensInNM]

Can you share some photos? They sound lovely.

I will try and remember to take my phone when I go out later to do Minnie's butt soak. I'm really thankful for this group. Just that one soak (so far), and her butt is already improving. I'm going to try Epsom Salts today. And a little plain yogurt.

 

[MaryJanet]

Hiya!! Newb here too. I also joined to learn. I'm in the boonies, but I didn't want a large flock. I have Rodney the rooster, and 2 girls I named Minnie, and Pearl. Rodney has already earned his keep. I think he's a little aggressive with the girls, but no one has gotten hurt, and no one looks stressed. He appears to be showing off when I'm out there, and starts bossing them around, but he doesn't like my "chicken stick", just a soft stick I found on the ground, so if he gets too bossy, I say, Don't MAKE me get the chicken stick, boy. Lol....he's also a praise hound. When he's done a good job on something, he knows what "good boy" means. He flaps and crows, lol!!

Hello! There's a lot to learn that's for sure. I've only been keeping chickens for a few years and I'm still learning new things all the time. I'm extremely lucky because there are a few avian specialist vets where I live, so there's always expert help when it's needed, like with Mary's hernia surgery last week. That makes two hens the vet has saved for me. Are there any avian vets where you live?

 

[MaryJanet]

These two seem to be doing quite well together. Mary is much more sure of herself now Ivy's with her.

The problem is that it's going to be too cold for a week. I may bring in a bale of lucerne hay for them to pick at and climb on.

But now Peggy is worried about Ivy. The outside pair might need a hay bale too.

 

[RoyalChick]

These two seem to be doing quite well together. Mary is much more sure of herself now Ivy's with her.

View attachment 3263335

The problem is that it's going to be too cold for a week. I may bring in a bale of lucerne hay for them to pick at and climb on.

But now Peggy is worried about Ivy. The outside pair might need a hay bale too.

How cold is it? Could she just come in at night maybe?

 

[MaryJanet]

How cold is it? Could she just come in at night maybe?

I've been pondering that too RC. After observing the bullying Peggy gave Mary the other afternoon, I decided it best to separate or at least segregate, then integrate once Mary's at her best, or at least without any stitches. I may even introduce two new pullets at the same time to keep Peggy occupied.

Or maybe it would be better to provide more shared time and not watch while Peggy is violent towards Mary?

 

[RoyalChick]

I've been pondering that too RC. After observing the bullying Peggy gave Mary the other afternoon, I decided it best to separate or at least segregate, then integrate once Mary's at her best, or at least without any stitches. I may even introduce two new pullets at the same time to keep Peggy occupied.

Or maybe it would be better to provide more shared time and not watch while Peggy is violent towards Mary?

Oh dear. I missed the bullying part. Difficult. Poor Mary!

 

[MaryJanet]

Oh dear. I missed the bullying part. Difficult. Poor Mary!

I didn't mention it, but it's been on my mind. Peggy attacked her several times and Mary became v scared of her. An attack involves homing in while Mary tries to outmaneuver her, then jumping forward to grab Mary's neck and holding on while Mary panics and tries to run away.

It doesn't seem wise to allow it while Mary's healing is ongoing.

 

[LozzyR]

I didn't mention it, but it's been on my mind. Peggy attacked her several times and Mary became v scared of her. An attack involves homing in while Mary tries to outmaneuver her, then jumping forward to grab Mary's neck and holding on while Mary panics and tries to run away.

It doesn't seem wise to allow it while Mary's healing is ongoing.

Does Mary have dissolvable stitches or will she need them removed?