Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Ladies-Eight]

Nature is amazing. When we bought this bit of land, it was basically a farmers hayfield. We let certain section go back to nature, we have all sort of trees growing, (faster then the ones we planted..), wild black berry bushes, all sorts of wild critters, rabbits, deer cut through to drink out of the pond, as do the wild boar, occasional rat snakes, recently Vixen and a couple of cubs, Canadian Geese, now Elvis the duck and a fantastic assortment of wild birds, the barn swallows stay year round, and we have some mocking birds, that are clowns. They like to mimick hawks to make the other birds panic. We keep areas mowed too, for walking the dogs with out fear of encountering a surprise venomous snake. (we have few here.)

The Canadians get really upset when the Canada Goose is labeled as Canadian.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I made history today. Every single coop went to bed without a fuss. Even the bossy Cornish gal.

Eventually they get the message.

 

[Nomadicus]

It's looking like rain and roosttime for the kids so maybe they will avoid the rain and go in a second night in a row without the water cannon chasing them out of the brush pile.

 

[Nomadicus]

The Canadians get really upset when the Canada Goose is labeled as Canadian.

Maybe they don't like the idea of Canadians being hunted?

 

[Shadrach]

A week on, Chirk's making good progress on his road to recovery. This video is mostly him just standing - an achievement in itself, but boring viewing - so I'd recommend just the opening 0-10 s. (trying to preen himself, he started that today), then shaking himself without falling over at 40-50 s., and a slow but unsupported few steps at 1.05-1.35. This is the current normal btw; he perks up significantly and moves more than this if one of the girls comes by, and their presence is like a physio arriving to get him up and about .

Well done Perris and Chirk.Chirk will remember what you've done for him.

 

[Shadrach]

I have ‘integrated’ a few times. Both babies and near grown - though never hatched here as I don’t have a rooster.
I would say it has been largely uneventful if you can stomach a few skirmishes. But also, as Shad says, mostly they have kept to their own groups.
This is very noticeable with the five I have now who are definitely a group on their own with little interest in integrating now that their foster mother - Eli - has gone.
I do have the luxury of a lot of space both inside and out, and a lot of separate areas, junk, furniture etc., so it is relatively easy for the two groups to ignore each other most of the time.
Sometimes they hang out together but mostly the two groups have their own agendas.
I am sure a rooster, and particularly two roosters, would would stir things up.
Shad, the problem with starting over is that someone will be the last to go and that one will be lonely.

I know. What I'm more concerend about at my age is I drop dead before they do.

 

[Nomadicus]

I know. What I'm more concerend about at my age is I drop dead before they do.

Hear that loud and clear. When I take in a bird for a forever home I must have that understanding with the giver. I can't make promises for survivors.

 

[Shadrach]

I have never had a problem assimilating and/or integrating. I have done just about everything. I credit my matriarchs for keeping the peace and that I have very open living for my flock. Not a lot of walls and they can all see and hear each other always. Also 24/7 multi feed & water stations so no one ever feels food insecure (including ferals and wild birds apparently ) and gates, so I can separate any bad behavior quick and easy without punishment. And lastly, separating and rehoming boys that did not work. Took a lot of cockerel auditions to get to my Beetlejuice.View attachment 3574844
He may be no ones perfect except mine and my flocks. He is quick to help the main guy and quick to know when to scramble out of the way. It works. He is also way more inclusive than main guy and the lowers live under his watch.
View attachment 3574862
My matriarchs are getting up there in age, I have 3 that are living out the last of their 6th year. I fear I will be loosing Mazzie this year as she has slowed down a lot. She is the survivor of a dog mauling and basically incredible. The next inline may be total idiots... who knows lol. Just happy with with my flock dynamics now, wish they could stay this way forever.

Your keeping circumstances are what makes the difference. This time I have to consider lack of space and lack of coops and mostly confined on top of this.

 

[MrsNorthie]

A week on, Chirk's making good progress on his road to recovery. This video is mostly him just standing - an achievement in itself, but boring viewing - so I'd recommend just the opening 0-10 s. (trying to preen himself, he started that today), then shaking himself without falling over at 40-50 s., and a slow but unsupported few steps at 1.05-1.35. This is the current normal btw; he perks up significantly and moves more than this if one of the girls comes by, and their presence is like a physio arriving to get him up and about .

He is looking better! I was a little nervous when he started to shake it out, but he seems to have regained his balance.

 

[MrsNorthie]

The Canadians get really upset when the Canada Goose is labeled as Canadian.

They are lovely though.