Nevadans?

[laceynoelle]

BoulderCityFowl thats awesome!

I love it when the hens are that tame. I have two chicks that are younger than the other ones and were raised seperate, and every night at 7:30 they get out of the pen somehow (havent figured out how yet

) and run through the kitchen to get 'home'. We shut the screen door, but about five minutes later they were at the front door. The doors are always open in the evenings. But these arent small chicks. Theyre probably 2 months old, theyre just big babies. lol dad let them sleep in last night, but thats just gonna make them try harder knowing he'll eventually crack.

Chicken are jealous, did you know?
My poor father. He has the worst luck. He got some california whites for laying hens last year, and i think they are highly jealous birds. You see, he wanted them just for laying. He loves RIRs, but he didnt want the broody. Well, a duck had babies earlier this year. Then about three days later one of his girls went broody. He let her hatch out one chick so she was happy. Just one, though. We joked about his luck then, how production hens like that dont go broody, and how she saw mama ducks babies and wanted some. Honestly it was probably a coincidence. Shortly after Little Baby Chicken was hatched, he let his hens out to forage. The found mama hens cage and were quite interested in the baby. There were a couple through-the-fence arguments that were broken up. Well, today, a day and a half later, another 'never-broody' production hen decieded she wanted babies. And now shes broody. And poor father is in dispair. Coincedence my bum.

 

[Peep_Show]

Quote:
My (ex) in-laws used to breed swans for sale. Swans are VERY territorial, which is why they're typically found on big ponds. I have seen them beat other waterfowl to death...not a pretty sight.

I had an Embden goose aptly named "Atilla" because he was a feathered Rotweiller. You couldn't step out of your car without a welcome of the worst kind. The only way I got him to leave me alone was to exert a little dominance, which was when he came to attack me, I stepped on his neck and held him down. Wings beating on shins hurt, but after the second sesssion he gave me wide berth. He was a great flock and property protector, though, which is why we didn't get rid of him. I'd be careful if you were to attempt the neck step with a swan as they're much bigger (and meaner). Good luck!

 

[Penturner]

I don't know if it is true. But I have heard a swan can break your leg beating you with it's wings. At the very least I woudl be careful about any control being actual physical contact with them. I know the male we have at UNR is very aggressive when they have chicks. but is not so bad the rest of the year. They do keep all the geese of manzanita lake when they have babies also.

 

[NevadaRon]

Quote:
I'm not a big fan of silkies but the picture was so cute I just had to share. I figured someone

here would want him!

 

[Echetino]

Hello All,

SunnyDawn, thanks for the offer on the Deleware, but I think my roster is set.

I posted some more pictures on my page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=59979

I installed a poo-tray, to try to catch the droppings from the roost. Ever since the hen I got from Humbrd taught the others how to get up to the roost, they have all slept together in a big clump of feathers, in the exact same spot. I designed the tray to set directly below that spot. Last night, the first night with the new tray, they all decided to sleep in a big clump along the 14 inches of roost the isn't underlain by the tray.

UNBELIEVABLE! We'll see if they get used to it over time, or if they just don't like being above it. I sprinkled dirt in the bottom to take the shine off it. Hopefully, they get over it (litterally). Sorry, I'm a dork.

I hope everybody has a great weekend, and thanks again to everybody for the stories, insight, assistance, and hens!

~Jason

P.S. Penturner, do you still make pens?

 

[Peep_Show]

Quote:
I've heard that, too, about folks having broken bones and I wouldn't be surprised. As I indicated, bird wings are powerful things. I had a turkey nearly break my nose with its wing.... but then said turkey at that time was close to 60 lbs in weight and didn't really want to be picked up and bagged to be weighed.

Just how much of the swans' wings are missing?

Canadian Geese are another territorial-when-nesting waterfowl that have no problem beating to death ducks.... My neighbor's interloping Muscovie found that one out the hard way. Sad to have to fish him out of my pond and tell the neighbor what happened to him.... I don't think he quite believed me.

 

[Penturner]

Quote:
Echetino, Yes I do.

 

[laceynoelle]

About a third of the wing on one side is missing. You know how the atnatomy of the wings? Everything from the last joint down was cut off. I think the golf course may have done that either to make them less painful, or to keep the swans there as an attraction or somthing. Whatever the reason, they look a bit disfigured and never have the chance to fly agian. Its so messed up. The babies are okay, though. they should be able to fly away.

I have a couple bruises, but no broken bones. I dont think swans even with both wings whole could break a leg bone. Leg bones are pretty tough. when they have a go for you though, theres really no choice but to grab on to something. I dont step onto their necks, but we have a system worked out. Either we go out with a distractor person as bit, or jump them before they have the chance to jump you. Once they get those wings going its harder, but if you pin them to thier body with one arm then hold the neck away from you with the other youre in good order. However its done, its still a multiple person job to feed them or change the pool water

Whew. Theyre tougher to keep than i thought. They look ove the fence and scare the neighbor kids.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

update! well, a good update at least

things are going good with Pearl the silkie and Agnes the barred rock.

Here's the scoop. i wanted to share as i think this is really interesting, lol

so you all know that Darla was picking on Pearl pretty bad, and that Lucy does whatever Darla does, so pearl was getting it x2. and you know that I took out Darla and replaced her with a barred rock, Agnes. well as soon as i pulled Agnes out of the cat carrier, Pearl came out of hiding and was glued to her hip. Lucy stopped picking on Pearl and all was right in the world. yep, then i got that soft spot for Darla and decided to re-introduce her to the flock. She went straight for Pearl and to my surprise Agnes stood up for Pearl!

Here's Pearl being happy in the backyard and shouting a 'neener neener' to Darla

so anywhoo, the dynamic of the flock is really funny now. of course Lucy does whatever Darla does. (does anyone else's hens do that?) but Darla could care less. and now Pearl does whatever Agnes does and Agnes could care less. Only difference is that if Darla and Lucy make a fuss with pearl, Agnes is right there to defend her. its so odd because they've only been together a couple of days. the other night Darla tried to push Agnes over on the roost and Agnes beat the crap out of her! put her right in her place. there's been peace ever since. Agnes doesn't bully ANYONE, she just seems to intervene on a bully when someone is getting picked on, its so weird. And its made pearl much more comfortable. the girls are now running around in the backyard TOGETHER and acting like sophisticated city girls should!... anywhoo, i think this might work, thanks for all the support!
Heres a pic of them last night getting ready for bed. such a lovely bunch eh?

i just love how the two "cliques" are NEVER seperate! (left to right-- pearl, agnes, lucy, darla)

and one more from this evening. thats my vicious english bull terrier, Elvis. EXTREMELY dog-aggressive, extremely chicken gentle

thanks guys!

 

[laceynoelle]

Im so happy it worked out!! It seemed to be a 50 50 chance, but thats great news!

I do have a couple hens that stick together like that. Actually the banties have a little gang then the big girls have a little gang, then theres the group that just loves everyone. Theyre not mean to eachother though, which is good. Id hate to have to get rid of al my banties.