Sally, thanks! Yes, that's EXACTLY what's happening. Two of the birds are silkie/cochin mix and they are about the same size. No problems with this hen and roo. BUT add the silkie and it's less than 1/2 the size of the roo, very noticeable how tiny she is when she's wet and those feathers are no longer puffy. The two larger birds roost together, and are "constant companions" and the little silkie kind of sits away from them. I too thought that perhaps the roo was much too big for the silkie. This definitely helps to confirm my suspicions. I thought it was simply due to them being different breeds but now I see that it is because the roo is so much larger than the silkie!
Metalla, Yes, I'm afraid that a dog would be doomed with us. We don't really like them and don't really want one. They are nice in someone else's home but they are not for us. Thing is, I would have no problem what so ever putting down a dog. My ex had one, it was big and bit people, including me and I regret that it lived as long as it did. It was a lot of stress. Thanks for the farm invite. Would love to see the farm. We have no intention of having very many animals. I hope to prepare food from eggs once we get to the farm and obtain chickens that lay eggs. My goal is to have a lot of pierogi, not a lot of animals! Different goals. I am 100% city girl, I love to shop, love cities, would be as happy as ever in the middle of Chicago or Manhattan! My hobbies include fashion, learning about interior design, shopping, the stock market, corporation development and management.
This is a great site. It's given us many great ideas, particularly for housing of birds, such as the hoop coops, and other safe housing options that we are considering for when we move. Our goals are to have safe housing with some form of climate control so that water doesn't freeze. We are considering many options at this time. Thanks everyone for all of the positive input!