OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[mamatink7]

Thank You

how are ya'll holding up?

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

how are ya'll holding up?

Doing ok. I think the shock of finding more then just feathers and then having to clean up the crime scene got to me. I feel bad for not having been more proactive. Now I'm concentrating on keeping the others safe. I have the things I need to make my crazy idea for aerial coverage on its way. The poor chickens have been on lock down and are not very happy with me. But I saw the flying offender again today so I know it's best. I did go hang out with them for a supervised recess of sorts. 6 of them ran to dirt bathe together. Apparently the bathing spot in their slightly safer area was not good enough. LOL

 

[mamatink7]

Doing ok. I think the shock of finding more then just feathers and then having to clean up the crime scene got to me. I feel bad for not having been more proactive. Now I'm concentrating on keeping the others safe. I have the things I need to make my crazy idea for aerial coverage on its way. The poor chickens have been on lock down and are not very happy with me. But I saw the flying offender again today so I know it's best. I did go hang out with them for a supervised recess of sorts. 6 of them ran to dirt bathe together. Apparently the bathing spot in their slightly safer area was not good enough. LOL

I understand you there:/ We really have to get to our run as well. Our area looks like yours, they've dug so much for dust bathing that there's openings in the run fence.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I understand you there:/ We really have to get to our run as well. Our area looks like yours, they've dug so much for dust bathing that there's openings in the run fence.

I'll let you know if my crazy plan works. Farmgirl Ingenuity.

 

[mamatink7]

I'll let you know if my crazy plan works. Farmgirl Ingenuity.

thank you please do. Hubby said today that next spring we will redo run entirely. We have coyotes in the way back field and hawks nest across the road. With this weather late last week, it left our run flooded soooo girls still in coop but adjusting very well.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Here it is. My crazy idea works so far. Netting is up and I even had enough to put up some of their extra area too. I know it won't stop 4 legged bandits or a coyote but they get locked in at night. It's not even 7 now and they went to bed. LOL Now all I have to do is see how it works against birds. Then snow...

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

So I had a new experience with a hen today. I was in the coop doing some cleaning and restocking. She kept coming in to lay an egg but wouldn't settle with me moving around and making noise. So I sat for a bit till she got comfy. Big Boy my rooster would come and go as if checking on her. But when another hen came in the girl in the nest box....she was possessed! She fanned out her neck feathers and her wings. Then screamed! Beak open; full on screaming. It reminded me of that spitting dinosaur from Jurassic Park. She didn't leave the box but had a murderous look in her eyes. Then her and Big Boy would do the "I'm annoyed" call back and forth till the offending hen left.
I've seen chicken aggression. The establishment of the pecking order and little reminders of that order. I have never heard this screaming noise. I've never heard someone describe this sort of thing. Any thoughts?

 

[ToniTalley]

I have seen a similar mode of behavior with my hens, in a milder form...no screaming or flapping. They seem to include laying their eggs into their pecking order habits. And the rooster often goes in when his favorite hen is on the nest, presumably to keep the other hens away until his fav is done.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I have seen a similar mode of behavior with my hens, in a milder form...no screaming or flapping.  They seem to include laying their eggs into their pecking order habits.  And the rooster often goes in when his favorite hen is on the nest, presumably to keep the other hens away until his fav is done. 

Pretty sure this was what was in the nest box. Big Boy checks on all his girls. More so when they are new to laying. I've seen him make a nest and sit in it himself like he's showing them what to do. (that's a man for ya) She did the screaming thing for more then one other hen. Clearly she does not want to be disturbed.

 

[littlejohnacres]

Just wanted to say I can't wait for the time to change. It is so dark in the morning and it makes me really rush to get to work on time after I open my coop! I need an automatic door!

I am lucky that my work is only about 8 minutes from my house!