Ribh's D'Coopage

[Kris5902]

And, if what I've read is correct. they are domestic breeds gone feral.

There are some near-feral chicken flocks and feral turkeys in the town area of our island. Some bantam barred chickens, and the turkeys quickly reverted to a more wild body type without the breeding focusing on the butterball standards!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Chickens are not at all fragile. The problem is that for many, the chickens they get are not going to live very long because of how they were bred. A healthy chicken with good genes will live 10 to 12 years.
The three main problems many people on BYC have with chickens are:
1) the chicken isn't an indigenous creature and the regulations and the cost discourage the breeders from improving their stock. This is particularly true of the backyard type breeds now.
2) people buy chickens like they are buying groceries.
3) how people keep their chickens. Chickens are not meant to live in coops, or in flocks, the are not meant to eat a vegetarian diet and they don't fare well in confinement.
Bear in mind that BYC is an American site and a set of attitudes prevails. Step outside BYC and the backyard chicken ideal and things are rather different.

I agree 100% @Shadrach I personally do not keep my chickens like many do. I'm a realist and I know that everything born will die. I provide food, water, and shelter. I treat illness and injury as I can. I have my chickens in runs because I have too. I would free range them if I could.

We are currently getting over an inch of rain to day, my chickens are all out in their runs getting wet and eating bugs. They always have access to dry cover and perches, but I let them decide when they use them.

I do love my chickens and I morn when they pass, but I also know they aren't going to live a life like a cat or dog.

 

[Kris5902]

Chickens are not at all fragile. The problem is that for many, the chickens they get are not going to live very long because of how they were bred. A healthy chicken with good genes will live 10 to 12 years.
The three main problems many people on BYC have with chickens are:
1) the chicken isn't an indigenous creature and the regulations and the cost discourage the breeders from improving their stock. This is particularly true of the backyard type breeds now.
2) people buy chickens like they are buying groceries.
3) how people keep their chickens. Chickens are not meant to live in coops, or in flocks, the are not meant to eat a vegetarian diet and they don't fare well in confinement.
Bear in mind that BYC is an American site and a set of attitudes prevails. Step outside BYC and the backyard chicken ideal and things are rather different.

I would say the Four main problems and put the whole “chickens are bred to not live very long and pump out eggs at a highly unnatural rate” as the #1 reason.

 

[BY Bob]

I would say the Four main problems and put the whole “chickens are bred to not live very long and pump out eggs at a highly unnatural rate” as the #1 reason.

And the other 3?

 

[Grammy60]

Good morning have a lovely day

 

[MaryJanet]

The sebright I met yesterday is 8 years old and her oldest friend is 10. There was another 9 year old but she was killed by a fox a few weeks ago. The other hens range from 1 up to 7 years old. They're a healthy bunch.

 

[Ribh]

Good evening folks

Jeannie, the rug is beautiful.

Thanks Bob. I hope yours is keeping you toasty as the cold closes in.

 

[Ribh]

Yep! I still have to share with the cats, but I'm ok with that!

That's so funny. Mine love napping on anything I'm making. Anna probably has strange cat hair somewhere on hers. I did check but my cats are super sneaky.

 

[drstratton]

That's so funny. Mine love napping on anything I'm making. Anna probably has strange cat hair somewhere on hers. I did check but my cats are super sneaky.

I couldn't do any needlework if my boy was around! He looks so sweet and innocent, looks can be deceiving...lol! I lost this big boy last year around this time...sudden kidney failure and I didn't even know he was sick ...Bentley, my last kitty sitting on the kitty wash station, disguised as a towel holder...

 

[Shadrach]

The sebright I met yesterday is 8 years old and her oldest friend is 10. There was another 9 year old but she was killed by a fox a few weeks ago. The other hens range from 1 up to 7 years old. They're a healthy bunch.

Get your next chickens there!
That is what I would look for. Someone with a proven record of long lived breeds.
I don't bother much what breeds, if they are a particular breed at all.
Keep in touch with her and should she have some fertile eggs you could try that route if one of yours goes broody.