Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

And in general, roos are not interested in hens that don’t lay?

In general, no they are not. Again there are exceptions often depending on the keeping circumstances. Cillin wanted to join Tribe one because it was obvious he fancied Ruffles and it was obvious. However, Fat Bird ran Tribe1, with or without a rooster so Cillin had to court Fat Bird as well. Very funny it was to. Fat Bird was not an easy hen to impress. I almost jumped up and down with delight the first time I saw Fat Bird groom Cillin.

 

[GregnLety]

Just watched this early morning outside with the phone, not thinking, sound on : it created a panic among my chickens especially the chicks.
That's another specie we are lucky not to have here.


@GregnLety Just in case check that he doesn't have a disease or parasite or anything that could mean he suddenly became a threat to that flock ?

Other than the beating, he was in good health.

 

[GregnLety]

Yet another reality that can be hard to convince people of. Further, the reasons a hen picks a particular rooster are complicated from what I've seen.

I brought home the Silky rooster to breed to our Silky hens but neither of our Silky hens wanted anything to do with him.

 

[Shadrach]

The phrase "in general" is key. For example, Rusty is somewhere in between broody and not, she hasn't laid an egg in six days. (She's an almost daily layer). Lucio, while interested in Tina, is still quite interested in Rusty. He goes behind her and bumps her with his chest several times per day. It seems like SHE is not interested in HIM at the moment.

Same generalities are often repeated about molting. Consult the internet and every mainstream article tells you that "a hen goes through her first molt at 16-18 months." As though it were an absolute. But here on BYC, it appears that a juvenile mini-molt like Rusty is doing is quite common at 9-10 months. I think it depends on how much the keeper is paying attention.

Tax. A beautiful sunny morning. 6 mo old Frida (left) is accepted by still very shy with the tribe. Looks like she wants to hang out with the three amigos (or at least have someone to boss around!)
View attachment 3566730

I love the chest bump. What a polite way of asking a hen if she needs any eggs fertilizing.

 

[Shadrach]

ounds like your life will be much easier!!

To quote my eldest when we talked about moving, "I expect you'll find a way to make it more difficult."

 

[Shadrach]

I love them, we have a multi-generational family of barn swallows that nest in our shed, we ended up putting an old couch with extra cushioning under the nest because we had some babies fall out, too early to be learning to fly and we have managed to save a few and return them to their nest using a really tall ladder and gloves or a net so they don't smell like they have had too much human interference. Since we have brought in the chickens, all the area wild birds seem to be friendlier with us. Elvis Duck was practically knocking on the front door this morning, requesting breakfast. LOL

Word gets around.

 

[Shadrach]

Hey We had a huge limb ride across the drive.

2 days no internet..
Well golly back online now.

Young man and his Son came and removed it. The ones that bring us wood
every year. Said once he gets it all bucked we have close to year worth of wood
2 days no internet..
Well golly back online now.

Good to have neighbours who will help out with that sort of stuff. A dying thing in many parts I feel.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thanks your right there Shad.. Left to just us we would still be here waiting.

 

[Sally PB]

Good to have neighbours who will help out with that sort of stuff. A dying thing in many parts I feel.

One of the many (MANY!) reasons I love where I live. I know I can count on my neighbors to help in an emergency. And they can count on us too.

Tax:

Sunny, my lap chicken.

 

[MaryJanet]

Given that hens are the only other female animal besides women who get ovarian cancers, I'd say the comparison is just.

As far as mental health... Weeelll, just look at that Dugger family with the how many kids now? I think it was 17 ... Or more now. That woman is obviously bat$&#$ bonkers, in my humble opinion.

Pretty sure horses get ovarian cancer too. I'm not an expert though.

Taxes