Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[babyfoot]

I've been getting our wild ones used to us for the past three years, it's taken that long to get their trust. The previous owner had a hatred of them and let his big dog chase them off. With each new succession of joeys they get friendlier and friendlier. This year there is one that is barely a foot high that stays put eating food next to me when the mum and others bounce away at the slightest noise. A couple see me and bounce UP TO ME asking for food with low grunting noises. I stay away from YoYo though, he stares at me and is very intimidating, plus his tackle bounces off the ground, he's a BIG BOY. The 18 month old one even plays with a blue beach ball that I left out for him, he will grab it when I bounce it at him and then he kicks it. Our neighbours have a pet Kanga that was a rescue, she has just had a joey too and they both go in her house and sleep wherever they want yet are still wild and go anyhwere they want.

 

[joannefiddler]

... and on another sad note, last night we had to end the life of one of our oldest hens. She was a rescue cage hen at approx 18 months old and has managed to live around another 5-6 years on top of that. (hard to know exact ages as she came with the house and we can only go on what previous owner said) The last few months she has become frailer and frailer, barely eating or drinking and wanting nothing more than to sit on my lap for as long as possible for a cuddle. Last four or five days she had trouble breathing, very very wheezy and sneezing noises, comb going purple etc. Last night she was so poorly we felt it was inhumane to keep her going like that, she could barely breathe.

Hubby and I cried our eyes out and we buried her in our special place for much loved departed hens. Saying goodbye is the hardest bit.

What on earth was I thinking when I decided to keep chooks that I wouldn't get attached to them

So very sorry for your loss...what a wonderful extended life you provided that dear little girl.

 

[henless]

... and on another sad note, last night we had to end the life of one of our oldest hens.

What on earth was I thinking when I decided to keep chooks that I wouldn't get attached to them

It's so sad when it comes time to put when of your animals down. It's never easy, but she had a much wonderful life these last few years with you.


@Ben ~ Your older chicks are getting so big! I love it when they're at that "gangly" stage.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Your pics are not working for me at the moment Fancy. I snapped a couple today, had some time to let the older and younger flocks range together. went really well, not a single issue between them which is a good sign. I got a couple of random phone shots while there, some of them like me, some of them don't hahahaha The first few the venture out of the temp run, Miss Frenchy here wanted to see what I was holding. Sal...she's a keeper This little fella is our nicest roo, but he seems to get picked on a bit. Still, he comes to me all the time and is happy for pats or to perch on my arm while I sit among them like some kind of chicken crazed werido. The Blues Brothers, dark blue botyin front, light in back. Finally, one of the Coro's, who I suspect may be named Coro for lack of imagination lol. Rosie has stuck to her guns in the Rooster box, so things are looking up to give her some eggs. The SPW is on golf ball duties, good luck to her hatching some, I could always do with a couple more golf balls!

You'll have to be a little more imaginative Ben. Think royal. Duchess, duke , prinny, county ( countess ), earl ..........

 

[babyfoot]

Quote: Hahhaha, I have named one of my little chicks Amber but am stuck on a name for the white one, the other white one is called rather unimaginatively 'Snowy' I have a Rosie, Baby, Mama, Effie, Tiffany, Coco, Rusty,Dolly, Molly, Princess and so on

 

[Wrightsx4]

My kids do most of the naming. We have lots of flowers - Zinnia, Marigold, Lilly, Daisy, Begonia, Petunia. Some proper lady names - Eleanor, Rhoda, Betty. Some not so proper - Fancy, Honey, Mama, Queenie. Then we have roosters like the white silkie -Sasquatch, Lincoln, Rye. Oops it's a rooster names like Mr Sprinkles and Precious. BC (big chicken) So many more.

 

[Bens-Hens]

We are trying to hold off names for now, we have only named the keepers so far.

Also, Rosie and the SPW have stuck to their guns. Rosie is set up nicely in the rooster box, I have just sent a request for some barred rock eggs, hopefully she can provide them. The SPW is staying on golfball duties as an understudy for Rosie.

The larger chicks get range time with the big girls now too in the afternoon, everyone has got on well with not a single issue so far, other than the big girls trying to get at the chick feed, that has taken some work to avoid the big girls getting.

Coro's are doing well, wing tip feathers just coming in now. Trying to handle them often so they are used to us. Also the main reason Alicia does not want to put them under Rosie, they will be more standoffish of us, and these two are kind of special to us.

 

[babyfoot]

Trying to handle them often so they are used to us. Also the main reason Alicia does not want to put them under Rosie, they will be more standoffish of us, and these two are kind of special to us.

All mine are very very cuddly, and mine are all raised by a hen. I just handle them often from even a day old and bring goodies for them that mum hen samples first and then tells the chicks it's good to eat. So the chicks get used to taking from my hand from only a day or two old. Now when I go into the little run, they fly up at me trying to land on my shoulders or if I am bent over they land on my back, on my lap if I am sitting, in fact any opportunity to sit on me. It's sweet. Now that they are 4 and half weeks old, been letting them in the main run every day for several hours with the big hens and roosters and then out in the whole 3 acres later on but mum doesn't take them too far from the main run. We have had a Whistling Kite fly over a few times lately and I am worried that the little ones might get taken. I have cut some big gum tree branches down and made a den up in the run so that they can run and hide under there which I am gratified to see they actually do. Next week is time to see if they are happy to follow mum to main roost at night with the others but for now I still herd them into their own little area and they are on a mini roost already with mum in there. I am still dubious about my white one's gender. Tiny Wee Small comb but chunky long legs and is constantly sparring with the definite male chick

 

[Fancychooklady]

We are trying to hold off names for now, we have only named the keepers so far.

Also, Rosie and the SPW have stuck to their guns. Rosie is set up nicely in the rooster box, I have just sent a request for some barred rock eggs, hopefully she can provide them. The SPW is staying on golfball duties as an understudy for Rosie.

The larger chicks get range time with the big girls now too  in the afternoon, everyone has got on well with not a single issue so far, other than the big girls trying to get at the chick feed, that has taken some work to avoid the big girls getting.

Coro's are doing well, wing tip feathers just coming in now. Trying to handle them often so they are used to us. Also the main reason Alicia does not want to put them under Rosie, they will be more standoffish of us, and these two are kind of special to us.

Just handle them and spoil them with treats and I'm sure that Alicia won't be disappointed . It's raining here and mine are sitting on the front door mat.

 

[Little Peep]