MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

I think I've lost count, Mary is around her tenth or eleventh day setting ?

Even if the pullets are bored and needing to be outside as soon as possible, one week is not such a huge difference.I would trust the vet as he knows your flock so well. Maybe he knows the breeder they came from too ?

River would make a nice chicken name .

She started during the afternoon of 6th. The 20th will be 14 days. Today is day 12.

I agree a week is not too bad and I can introduce some things to cheer them up, but it's not the same as having soil underfoot and sky above.

Mark might know the breeder, but it seems unlikely. It's quite a long distance and many vets between them.

I like that name too. @LozzyR had a hen called River. I'll probably go with a family name, as usual. Maybe Christa and Joyce. But first I'll check where the names Mrs and Brown come from - maybe the kids named them?

 

[MaryJanet]

They are very pretty little river chickens!

They're so trusting too! It's incredible. I hate keeping them cooped up in the laundry

 

[MaryJanet]

This has worked really well here. Betty is no longer picked on constantly with 2 more hens below her and the new ladies seemed to be universally respected. No one is singled out any more, Betty seems much happier. I really like the interactions and relative peace in the tribe these days. All because we added a couple of personality plus ladies. Aurora has really settled in as leader. I think adding more might make Peggy a better leader too.

It always worked for Ribh too. Come to think of it, she never quarantined. But she always bought pullets from the same breeder.

 

[MaryJanet]

This may be true but they will be in a safe environment outside and have other hens to learn from. My environment is way more dangerous than MJs and mine did just fine after 3 weeks of quarantine. In fact, it was probably the best integration I've ever done. Heck one of my new girls is now standing sentinel for the whole tribe. They learned very quickly once they were out of the quarantine coop.

Here's the reality though. @MaryJanet if they have Mycoplasma, are you going to get rid of them? Mycoplasma cannot be cured, only controlled, so if you are not willing to rehome them or cull them you would be adding Mycoplasma to your tribe anyway. What the extra time buys you is the ability to treat if you need to prior to mixing them.

Oh I see. Janet's bacteria hasn't spread to the other hens. I think the dessicating sandy soil might play a role there.

Hmmm, I'd take Mark's advice. I trust his expertise. He brought Peggy and Mary back from the brink. You have to respect that depth of learning and technical skill.

The whole point of the professional societies is that the people who join them are trustworthy experts, who'd be kicked out if they breach the code of ethics.

If I can't trust certified professionals, I can't trust anyone.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes, we had a River.

View attachment 3325533

She was a gorgeous hen.

I SHRA!!

 

[MaryJanet]

This morning's news is that the pullets are all set for their trip to the vet.

Lorna is in the cat box. We'll be on our way in 45minutes.

And I watched a roof building tutorial on YouTube, which has really helped me imagine how to roof the new roost. I may have to hire a table saw for a day to get the cuts just right.

 

[RoyalChick]

This morning's news is that the pullets are all set for their trip to the vet.

View attachment 3325621

Lorna is in the cat box. We'll be on our way in 45minutes.

And I watched a roof building tutorial on YouTube, which has really helped me imagine how to roof the new roost.

Why in two baskets?

 

[MaryJanet]

Why in two baskets?

They're too big now RC! Three in the picnic basket would've been very crowded and the river chickens are using the other cat box as a nest. So it was two in the picnic basket or someone in cardboard and I didn't like that idea with all the dogs that come into Mark's waiting room.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning MJ and folks

 

[RoyalChick]

They're too big now RC! Three in the picnic basket would've been very crowded and the river chickens are using the other cat box as a nest. So it was two in the picnic basket or someone in cardboard and I didn't like that idea with all the dogs that come into Mark's waiting room.

I guess they have grown a lot. It is hard to tell that from just seeing them with each other.
Hope they have a good visit.