***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[allenw]

Pool Party

 

[CertifiedChaser]

Man, you're lucky you can have ducks. I've always wanted ducks ever since I was a kid. I swear I'll get some one day.
On a side note, I will continue searching this site and others on the interwebs, but I like covering all bases so does anyone here raise pigeons (specifically squab types) and/or meat rabbits (also interested in harlequins as I think the coloring is just amazing)? I'm just trying to find local breeders for when I can get some as I don't plan on getting any until next year. Sorry if this is not an appropriate place to ask. Still new to the site and thought I'd give the OK BYCers thread a try. Not too many people seem to post about utility pigeons in general.

 

[dunnmom]

So, we may have run into a problem. My 2 barred rock pullets are too timid. We've tried to integrate them twice, and they get beaten up every time they go in. They just huddle in a corner and won't come out, while the other pullets make sure they stay there. Should I rehome these poor birds, or give them more chances? It's really pitiful to see them like that.

 

[Fallenone05]

So, we may have run into a problem. My 2 barred rock pullets are too timid. We've tried to integrate them twice, and they get beaten up every time they go in. They just huddle in a corner and won't come out, while the other pullets make sure they stay there. Should I rehome these poor birds, or give them more chances? It's really pitiful to see them like that.

How long have they been in there when you try integrate them? It takes chickens a while to integrate into a flock, especially if the flock has been established for a while (eg - they all grew up as chicks together and have their flock dynamic for months). Mine generally take a few weeks to establish themselves as part of the flock, and letting them free range together helps this process in my experience! I have a link with different integration methods if you're interested.

 

[dunnmom]

We left them for a week the first time. The others were basically trying to keep them from eating and drinking. Not to mention they would chase them into the hardware cloth, causing damage to their beaks. This time they got beaks injured again on the first day. I was afraid to leave them in there, because one was bleeding a bit and again, they were keeping them from roaming freely in the run, not allowing access to food and water. I had 2 feeders and 2 waterers both times. They've been next to each other for well over a month. The older ones are starting to lay, could that be why they're being so territorial? How long do you let them free range together at a time, and is one part of the day better than another?

 

[Fallenone05]

We left them for a week the first time. The others were basically trying to keep them from eating and drinking. Not to mention they would chase them into the hardware cloth, causing damage to their beaks. This time they got beaks injured again on the first day. I was afraid to leave them in there, because one was bleeding a bit and again, they were keeping them from roaming freely in the run, not allowing access to food and water. I had 2 feeders and 2 waterers both times. They've been next to each other for well over a month. The older ones are starting to lay, could that be why they're being so territorial? How long do you let them free range together at a time, and is one part of the day better than another?

If they're bleeding, it's definitely best to take them out. The other chickens will peck where they're injured and can potentially cannibalize other chickens this way. Chickens are territorial, regardless of if they're laying. They have a pecking order and flock dynamics - when you introduce a new chicken, the newbie has to find their place in the flock and older members protect their spots with gusto. Pecking order determines all sorts of things; who sleeps in what spot in the roost, who eats first/the most, who rules the roost, basically! generally a rooster will hold flock leader but some hens are more dominant than roosters, and will take rule of the roost. When I had bantams, I had a poor little rooster who was bullied by all the girls and was the lowest on the pecking order. Bantams are fierce despite their small size!

A friend of mine swears up and down that introducing new chickens at night is the best way. They wake up and new chickens are just sort of there, and are more easily accepted. This didn't work for me, but every flock is different.

If you'd like, this page has great information on how to integrate flock members, and how to take care of 'bully' chickens.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/06/integrating-new-flock-members-playpen.html

 

[dunnmom]

I'll keep at it, but if they aren't integrated by the time it gets cold, they'll need a new home.

 

[artsyrobin]

I'll keep at it, but if they aren't integrated by the time it gets cold, they'll need a new home.

i have one group of three i gave up trying to integrate, and they have their own coop and run- there was one in the group that would stalk the others and attack, but she was fine with the two she came with- sometimes it jut doesn't work out the way its supposed to

 

[NanaKat]

Domestic Quail are too far bred from wild to be able to survive in the wild. They need a well constructed flight pen if you winter them out. I kept mine in cages with pull out poop trays. A male with 4 hens....a lot of cages.
The hens begin to lay at 7 to 8 weeks. Too many eggs to hatch....a pain to boil, peel and pickle....laid on the ground. Quail poop in their water unless trained as chicks to use a drip. They waste feed, scratching it out of the feeder. Fertility / hatch rates were not great. I put 54 in the freezer.

Wow didn't realize how much hassle they could be. I was only planning on having a half dozen to start and mostly using them for eggs. Guess they're pretty great at laying! That's encouraging. I don't plan on releasing them into the wild so wintering them out shouldn't be a problem.

Quail eggs have a thinner more brittle she'll than chicken eggs so they don't crack like a hen's egg. Learn to crack them on the big end and drop into the bowl. Keep and eye on the chips.
When you boil them....cover with water and add 1/2 c white vinegar bring to a boil, cover and set aside for several hour...even overnight in the fridge. The vinegar dissolves the calcium leaving a thin skin that peels easily so you get whole hard boiled eggs.

 

[dunnmom]

I already rehomed one of the 3 at my mom's. She was a runt, slow to mature, and mom's chickens are younger. I knew it would give her a good chance to thrive. My mom said she's the sweetest chicken, loves to be cuddled, and is doing well with her new peers. I was happy to hear that.