San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[dfdesigns]

Yesterday I was outside a lot cleaning the barn, and I noticed that the two Am boys were really getting into it. After a while it started to seem one-sided, and the black just wouldn't leave the blue alone. (Blue would wedge himself into a corner, head first.) I penned up the black separately, and waited until after dark to let him back in with everyone else. This morning, they are right back at it. Worse now is that some of the hens are also joining in... Blue is now segregated in the smaller pen just so he doesn't keep getting his arse handed to him.

These guys were hatch mates, and have always been together with girls. I have never seen them fight like this. I'm assuming that one of them is going to have to go, right? Or is this fixable? Splitting them up here is not a great option, as my aux pen is quite small. Sigh.

Does anybody need a blue or black pure Am boy? This is making me sad.

 

[luvanimals2]

Quote:
Dana, It sucks when they cannot just get along. Not an expert but I have been dealing with the same issues. I had to move mine from a free range to a covered area. I am told there are coyotes at the new place and I did not want them to become bait so I had the whole run area covered w/ hardware cloth. My method may not sit well with some but I did the same thing and caged the trouble maker up and then I let him go when I can supervise. I have been letting them work or Duke it out. Feathers flying but as long as I do not see blood I leave it alone. So far, it is working. I think your boys are trying to figure out who is BOSS and I am guessing it is the Black AM. Good Luck to you.

Nancy

 

[flower]

As far as what I have been reading, roosters duke it out until the matter is solved. "Who is top rooster ?"

I know how you feel about the fighting. I usually can not watch fights so I end up separating the birds if they can not solve the matter shortly.

PS Mary came back to Sandy Eggo thread since I like all the chatty folks. Even though I live waaaaaaay north.

 

[Phage]

Quote:
Sounds like they have already sorted it out and the black is the boss, and the blue is not interested in fighting.

I have not has 2 roos, but when the pecking order is being sorted out with the girls I have to walk away and leave them to it (Ok I check to be sure they are all OK) but they seem to sort it out without bloodshed faster if I just leave them to it.

 

[dfdesigns]

I hate this part of chicken life... I want hippie roos who are just happy to get along!

Allison - how are your Swedish Flower Hens doing? I think we need some pictures.

 

[Kev]

Quote:
Sounds like they have already sorted it out and the black is the boss, and the blue is not interested in fighting.

I have not has 2 roos, but when the pecking order is being sorted out with the girls I have to walk away and leave them to it (Ok I check to be sure they are all OK) but they seem to sort it out without bloodshed faster if I just leave them to it.

Yep. Separating them can make it worse or merely prolonging the 'fight', especially if the loser gets the courage to have a go at him again at reintroduction.

It also helps to give some hiding places where the loser can get away if need be. But important not to have someplace the loser can be trapped in and still exposed, as chickens cannot understand when a chicken is really stuck so they may keep pecking/biting to the point of bloodying. Avoid corners with only one way in for this reason. I like to put something like plywood pieces and lean them against a wall or wire, both leaning against middle section and corners, except with corners, set it so there's two exit/entrances instead of just one.

When there's a fight like that, the winner usually likes to chase the loser around a bit for a couple days/weeks afterwards, eventually most roosters will come to tolerate the other one without so much chasing. If there's not much room/space, it might be best to let one go.

I've had more than one rooster together in a pen many times, including roos that are in no way "friends", really only tolerate each other once the rank is settled.

 

[dfdesigns]

Thanks for all the replies... I guess tomorrow I'll watch them and let them sort things out. Poor Blue!

 

[dedicateddourly]

Good luck, Dana. I'm dreading the day that my black and blue Roos go at it. Though it may never happen because the black is already way dominant.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Hey guys, how is everyone doing? Or maybe more importantly, how is everyone's chickens doing!??!

Anywho, just wanted to ask if ya'll could keep an eye out for coops. Has to be LARGE, CHEAP, and easy to move.

I'm already needing to put up a new place for my turkeys, not to mention the 15 heritage babies that are on their way!

Thanks!

 

[perchie.girl]

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My Guineas are doing great. I finally got a new cover over the whole coop and have the bigger enclosure about 50 percent secure. I am going to bite the bullet and buy some hardware cloth and GET R Done tomorrow if the weather is amenable.

Oh and I have found if I keep the automatic waterer in the one cage I have on the floor they can get in to drink but cant fling crap into it because the cage is on wire.... So I may just build something with a little easier acess to do the same thing. LOL... When I go in the Coop EVERYONE goes and gets into that cage. Too funny because all you see are spots feeet and Shiny eyes glaring at me. Its their safe place.... and I encourage that. It will make it easier for those times when I will be pulling down sixteen feet of Wall that makes one side of the coop. (coop expansion project) The wall wont be destoryed It is on Kennel panel clamps so that I can un bolt it and move it about.... (two garage doors) Its in serous need of reconstruction though the timing is perfect for a redo.

Thats about it.... Oh and when I get those panels moved I will be building space for Chickens..... Yay.