Note: this is a long post... I am just sick. I have a fabulous German Beilefelder rooster who tried to jump at me this morning. I had to remove one on my two hens because he was overbreeding her. He is not happy. Because of predator loss, I have been keeping them confined while building a new coop and run. It is an 8x8 area, with a aditional 4x4 "apartment." They have plenty of food and water and get treats and attention daily. I bring them warm oatmeal when it is cold, keep a light on for them, cover the coop when it is cold, and have never had a problem. My boy, Sinbad, is huge, He does have a small spot that could be dry pox, or just a light spot. I don't want to be afraid of him. I have had the three of them since they were three weeks old. They are now about 11 months old.
Just now, we just went outside to let him and Weazie, a Beilefelder hen, out for a bit because we would be outside. He's been flapping his wings, strutting, and crowing. We gave them some corn and mealy worms. I kneeled down to talk to him and he ran over and stood between me and my sweetheart, eyeballing him, as if he was protecting me. When I stood up, he looked like he was going to rush at me. Weazie's feathers are ruffled and I am concerned that he may be hurting her, too. I rattled the mealy worm bag and then went back in...
Molly has been separated in her own little condo. I removed her when I noticed missing feathers, not like molting, but they looked like they were broken. (We were just coming out of the coldest weather we have had in years and I wanted to make sure everyone was warm and dry and fed.) She is a Jubilee Orpington and quite docile. When I inspected her, I found she had some nasty wounds on either side; where Big Boy was holding her down, I would guess. They are not oozing, the skin has been broken but it is healing over. on a positive note, there are a couple of new feathers popping through. I put Vetrimycin Hydrogel on them after cleaning. I put it on three times yesterday and will try for four times today. I cleaned it good and She does have a tiny spot her comb that could be something. I put something on it; it doesn't seem to bother her. She will let me pick her up. I checked on her before going to bed and again early this morning. She seemed happy and was scratching and pecking. She had also laid a egg.
This is the first time I have had an injured bird. I have only kept two or three at a time.
My question is...Is Sinbad just protecting his girls; is he mad because I took Molly away, and, will it get better? He has never been mean or combative before this.
Thank you.
Just now, we just went outside to let him and Weazie, a Beilefelder hen, out for a bit because we would be outside. He's been flapping his wings, strutting, and crowing. We gave them some corn and mealy worms. I kneeled down to talk to him and he ran over and stood between me and my sweetheart, eyeballing him, as if he was protecting me. When I stood up, he looked like he was going to rush at me. Weazie's feathers are ruffled and I am concerned that he may be hurting her, too. I rattled the mealy worm bag and then went back in...
Molly has been separated in her own little condo. I removed her when I noticed missing feathers, not like molting, but they looked like they were broken. (We were just coming out of the coldest weather we have had in years and I wanted to make sure everyone was warm and dry and fed.) She is a Jubilee Orpington and quite docile. When I inspected her, I found she had some nasty wounds on either side; where Big Boy was holding her down, I would guess. They are not oozing, the skin has been broken but it is healing over. on a positive note, there are a couple of new feathers popping through. I put Vetrimycin Hydrogel on them after cleaning. I put it on three times yesterday and will try for four times today. I cleaned it good and She does have a tiny spot her comb that could be something. I put something on it; it doesn't seem to bother her. She will let me pick her up. I checked on her before going to bed and again early this morning. She seemed happy and was scratching and pecking. She had also laid a egg.
This is the first time I have had an injured bird. I have only kept two or three at a time.
My question is...Is Sinbad just protecting his girls; is he mad because I took Molly away, and, will it get better? He has never been mean or combative before this.
Thank you.
