Ribh's D'Coopage

[rjohns39]

I find the years are passing like a whirlwind. I'm not a big fan of what the holidays have become. If I can veg quietly out of the way of the majority insanity we're all good.

One of the things I so enjoyed in Germany was Christmas time was much more like it was in the states in the 60s. People were nice to each other, they hung out on the walk platz, drank gluwine, ate chestnuts and talked like people. No one was rude or in a rush and cell phones hadn't been invented yet. People interacted with people and just had fun. Today, you take your life into your hands going into a store at this time of year. I truly miss the old days.

 

[Shadrach]

None of the newer girls seem to be prone to broodiness ~ for which I am heartily grateful!

Give them time. I'm convinced it's catching.

 

[Ribh]

Give them time. I'm convinced it's catching.

Last year...definitely, but the Campines & Favorelle Xs seem remarkably immune!

 

[Shadrach]

This is about the only time I've found the usual description of BRs as being *people friendly* accurate. They're normally quite skittish & adverse to being handled, but ok about being round me & hand fed. Broody they become incredibly docile, rarely peck [if they do it's gently] & I can handle them easily. The hardest part with Soda is wrangling her weight one handed out of a nesting box!

I'm not convinced one breed is more human friendly than another. I think some are less fearful.
A bantam hen here called Blue Spot used to launch herself in full battle order whenever I tried to change her water while she was sitting. On her second sit she turned that down to just a lot of swearing unless I accidentally disturbed her. When the chicks arrived she was quite happy if the chicks walked over my hand but if she even thought I was going to pick one up she got ready to do battle. I got some interesting dinks and dents in my hands helping her to get her chicks into the coop for the first few nights.
By the time she got to be elderly and sick she finally accepted that I would take her off the roost at night and bring her into the house to tube feed her and massage her crop.
I preferred the swearing, ready to fight, don't touch me Blue Spot of old.
I'll always let a hen defend her nest with good humour. After all, it's just a minor blood loss.

 

[Ribh]

I'm not convinced one breed is more human friendly than another. I think some are less fearful.
A bantam hen here called Blue Spot used to launch herself in full battle order whenever I tried to change her water while she was sitting. On her second sit she turned that down to just a lot of swearing unless I accidentally disturbed her. When the chicks arrived she was quite happy if the chicks walked over my hand but if she even thought I was going to pick one up she got ready to do battle. I got some interesting dinks and dents in my hands helping her to get her chicks into the coop for the first few nights.
By the time she got to be elderly and sick she finally accepted that I would take her off the roost at night and bring her into the house to tube feed her and massage her crop.
I preferred the swearing, ready to fight, don't touch me Blue Spot of old.
I'll always let a hen defend her nest with good humour. After all, it's just a minor blood loss.

That is probably more accurate, Shad. I was just quoting the usual breed description. I find my broodies funny but because I can't let them sit I'm concerned for their health. I was away for a week last summer & my man was looking after the girls. A broody went AWOL on him & we lost her in a broody trance so I really do want to discourage them unless they can have fertile eggs under them.

I love that my Campines are so feisty. If they're not I know they're not real well. From choice they prefer not to be handled, so from choice I would rather have them running screaming from me because I know they are fit & healthy.

 

[Grammy60]

Good morning everyone

 

[BY Bob]

This is about the only time I've found the usual description of BRs as being *people friendly* accurate. They're normally quite skittish & adverse to being handled, but ok about being round me & hand fed. Broody they become incredibly docile, rarely peck [if they do it's gently] & I can handle them easily. The hardest part with Soda is wrangling her weight one handed out of a nesting box!

What does she weigh? My heaviest was 7lbs last I checked.

 

[BY Bob]

I find the years are passing like a whirlwind. I'm not a big fan of what the holidays have become. If I can veg quietly out of the way of the majority insanity we're all good.

My wife and I were discussing this on our car ride to Philadelphia today. The holidays are just not what I wish they were any longer. I'm not sure what happened but they have become frantic instead of contemplative. I'm don't knowwhen it happened or why but I don't enjoy them like I used to.

 

[Ribh]

What does she weigh? My heaviest was 7lbs last I checked.

I don't have scales but she is heavier than Lavender though Lavender's size & feathering make her awkward to handle. She is plump @ the breast & broad across the beam & a lot heavier than any other bird, including Hepzibah & Patricia, my other BRs.

 

[Ribh]

My wife and I were discussing this on our car ride to Philadelphia today. The holidays are just not what I wish they were any longer. I'm not sure what happened but they have become frantic instead of contemplative. I'm don't know when it happened or why but I don't enjoy them like I used to.

For a few years we were celebrating Christian Hannukah instead & that worked beautifully. We avoided the Christmas madness & the emphasis went back where it belonged ~ the reason for the celebration ~ but there are lots of us & not everyone saw it our way & now there are littlies so we just keep it really, really low key.