Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[MaryJanet]

Interesting. I had read that IS A Browns were friendly and low key generally. Perhaps these two are a bit traumatized?

They haven't had many months at my house. It's possible they're still feeling unsure of their new home. I suspect one has mild eyp (I'll be taking her to the vet soon) and she might be cranky from the pain.

 

[TropicalChickies]

If the mother doesn't care for them then I don't either. I did try a couple of times in the past and it didn't go well.

Also good to keep in mind, thanks. I'm also more inclined towards "nature knows best" but in this case there's a possibility it could have just been bad timing for this chick.


When the hen --Tina -- went broody I really wanted to let her try to set some eggs because she's gone broody several times already and I didn't have any fertile eggs to let her set. But the only hen who was letting the inexperienced 4 mos old rooster mount her was another hen named Patucha. So I gathered up some of Patucha's eggs laid over a week or so that had a chance of being fertile -- but given the inexperience of the rooster, could be hit or miss. (I saved a few in case Patucha went broody so she could have some for herself. Patucha is sitting on those now). But I didn't mark them according to when they were laid. I was taking a chance and hoping the rooster had "hit" on at least a few.

I told this to my neighbor who has helped rear hundreds of chicks from broodies and she said it's possible that Tina wouldn't care for this chick because he hatched two whole days before any other eggs started pipping yet. And that hens can't do both at the same time -- sit and rear -- so Tina ignored the one chick for the sake of the three other eggs.

This neighbor is a tough old farm woman -- not a softie like me -- who eats or sells her hens after 2 laying seasons and wouldn't hesitate to toss a weak chick. She said this one seems perfectly fine so far, it was probably bad timing.

We'll see.

Two more eggs are pipped now, so I'm really curious to see what Tina does if they hatch.

Here's the little one today.

Patucha and Tina with their little clutches.

 

[MaryJanet]

The ISA Browns can be very mean.

One of the two is downright nasty, while the one that might have eyp is aggressively assertive.

 

[MaryJanet]

I rehomed 5 ISA Browns when they would not accept my new pullets.

Hmmm food for thought. I'll give the ISAs a year to improve and then I'll see if I can find another home for them.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Not yet but there is still time.

There is a particular beetle that inhabits and lays eggs in fallen and rotting palm trees (chonta) here in Ecuador's rain forest. The larvae of this beetle grow quite large and are delicious barbequed. They taste like roasted scallops. Pure protein too. I eat them whenever I get the chance.

 

[TropicalChickies]

Warm and mostly sunny. Three hours out today.
The bees are busy getting the sugar from the nettle flowers.
Anybody else pick these and suck the ends?
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Looks like the gooseberry bush I transplanted is going to make it. A couple more fruit bushes to move and that should give what I'm after.
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Having a rest.
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There is something very not quite right with Fret. I don't know why Henry puts up with it.
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How is Lima doing?

 

[Molpet]

There is a particular beetle that inhabits and lays eggs in fallen and rotting palm trees (chonta) here in Ecuador's rain forest. The larvae of this beetle grow quite large and are delicious barbequed. They taste like roasted scallops. Pure protein too. I eat them whenever I get the chance.

Makes sense
Unfortunately I have been raised that bugs are chicken or fish food for the most part. Weevils would get in flour but mom would use the flour anyway. Tried containers but they probably came in the bag

 

[Sequel]

Hmmm food for thought. I'll give the ISAs a year to improve and then I'll see if I can find another home for them.

I had a couple that just would not accept new pullets. I finally had to move them to the crock pot! I give my tribe the best life I can and the only thing I insist on is no murder. I couldn’t believe it! They screamed at the top of their lungs for a week! Then when I started to let them out to forage together they hid around corners and jumped on the young ones, viciously pecking and pulling feathers out. I had them separate but visible to each other for weeks, they had me fooled because they would stand next to the fence calmly, the young ones would approach and get a peck through the wire but not bad. Let them together and the war was on!
Up until that point they were lots of fun, talkative and people friendly. I have 5 laying hybrids and one brown leghorn now, one of the hybrids bites me at every opportunity so I wonder how that group will go. They sure are spunky! Sorry for going yada yada on your comment!

 

[TropicalChickies]

Makes sense
Unfortunately I have been raised that bugs are chicken or fish food for the most part. Weevils would get in flour but mom would use the flour anyway. Tried containers but they probably came in the bag

Yeah, I buy flours and things like rice and quinoa in bulk here. Have to go through it fast before the weevils do... Those I don't eat. No flavor.

 

[MaryJanet]

I had a couple that just would not accept new pullets. I finally had to move them to the crock pot! I give my tribe the best life I can and the only thing I insist on is no murder. I couldn’t believe it! They screamed at the top of their lungs for a week! Then when I started to let them out to forage together they hid around corners and jumped on the young ones, viciously pecking and pulling feathers out. I had them separate but visible to each other for weeks, they had me fooled because they would stand next to the fence calmly, the young ones would approach and get a peck through the wire but not bad. Let them together and the war was on!
Up until that point they were lots of fun, talkative and people friendly. I have 5 laying hybrids and one brown leghorn now, one of the hybrids bites me at every opportunity so I wonder how that group will go. They sure are spunky! Sorry for going yada yada on your comment!

I've seen similar behaviour sadly. It doesn't help that they grew up as a pair and now there are 6 other hens to contend with. I'm sure it makes the transition to a new home all the more challenging.