Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[fluffycrow]

It's encouraging how quickly the chickens in Catalonia shape at least, got closer and closer to a median value. Another ten years of watching might have supplied a partial knowledge. My impression was it wasn't just the looks. Their shape and upbringing made changes to their abilities and that influnced their behaviour.
Sylph and Tull are fliers. They can both do a metre and a half off the ground for about 4 seconds. Yes they are pullets and have lots of energy to burn but weighing less makes them more agile than their parents. I'm not sure what has made them unusually trusting of me, I was happy to see the other day when another human came to the field, they ran for cover so it's not a lack of caution in general.

I read some of the Landrace breeding threads. There's some interesting stuff and some knowlegeable comment. What I don't understand is one can't help come to the conclusion that to establish a land race of chickens (feral essentially) the best thing to do is let nature sort the breeding out.

The birds I started with after keeping production hybrids for years, in order to achieve a more "natural" system, were already of Mediterranean build, or close to it. Despite the fact that I've yet to have a natural brood from the Tsouloufates, I have observed which birds have been taken by the predators. With the exception of Lady Gaga, they all seemed to be birds that were less aware of their surroundings, and/or tended to roam. It seems like the nature here are already starting to select "faulty" behaviour, and is taking it out of the gene pool, fearly early I might add.

As stated earlier this summer, a young cockerel I had my eye on due to his slim build and flying abilities was taken by what I assume to be a cat. That was what really made me question if I should or shouldn't intervene with breeding selections from that point on. I've deciding on not intervening much other than making sure of keeping a small population of pure Tsouloufates, because I don't want to see the landrace gone. Other than that, they are free to mix.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned that here, but I'm still not back to doing dawn to dusk free ranging. Hoping that by spring I can have them out on the property all throughout the day, especially since they will be doing 100% of the hatching

Tax, Ubon tree roosting in the bantam pen with mum Ursula, mum Ocean close behind her

 

[BDutch]

I'm not sure if I've mentioned that here, but I'm still not back to doing dawn to dusk free ranging.

Mine are not free ranging for a long time either. In combination with a rather large run this is okay. 15 m2 * for 6 -9 bantams. 5 are small Dutch and I suppose 9 is the max. to keep them happy and the soil healthy. They free range 2-4 hours on most days.
I rather do it this way than having to deal with many casualties.

*(The coops/small covered run are another 4 m2. )

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Something completely different about dogs. In my country they are prohibiting having dogs and cats that have been bred with unhealthy features like mops dogs (headaches). And naked cats (skin problems).
Of course this is only for new ones. They are not going to kill the established pets. But within 10-15 they do get extinct in the Netherlands.

That's surprising. It's refreshing to hear there's that much consciousness around the harm we can inflict through selective breeding. What are mops dogs?

Your chickens are far more poetic than mine.
Love your imagination and to read about the food preferences of your gang.
Mine all would definitely go for the grapes and blue berries. And cheese.

They have such specific tastes. It's easiest to tell the roosters' favorites because it's what they're most reluctant to tidbit.

You've never seen eyes so filled with longing as when Stilton waits for the hens to have a few bites of pear before he hops in. He has a major sweet tooth, or is it sweet beak?

Most of the birds like pears, but they all adore blueberries, fresh corn, and yes, grapes, too. I also credit this thread for their new-found love of sardines. Ours wouldn't touch sardines until maybe last year. During the molt, thanks to this thread, I kept offering them, and they caught on, big time.

They have sardines twice weekly right now, with eggs another day. It may be my imagination, but their feathers seem to be coming back faster this year.

These are Trader Joe's unsalted, wild-caught (container says Canada) sardines in water, with supplements like kelp and a little bit of minced fresh garlic. Hoping garlic keep the mites away and immune systems high.

@BDutch did you say you fed certain herbs to repel mites? I can't remember if you expanded on that but would be interested in knowing more.

They probably won’t stop at the meat counter just because they simply don’t know it.
Do you know the saying: “what the peasant doesn’t know, he doesn’t eat.”
+: The chickens wouldn’t bother to go to the counter, eat it all ‘sur place’.

Indeed! It's more likely they wouldn't make it past stuffing themselves in the produce section before waddling out to the parking lot to dustbathe in the flower pots.

 

[no fly zone]

Skeksis loved loved loved her blueberries.

 

[fuzzi]

Mine love grapes, tomatoes just a little bit more, but protein incites a feeding frenzy. They LOVE insects, except for stink bugs. I don't blame them.

Do the eggs take on a fishy taste when the flock eats sardines?

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 70s sunny.

Have a great day!

 

[no fly zone]

 

[Molpet]

View attachment 3973357

looking very happy with her blueberries.

 

[Shadrach]

With a few tweaks, they could have a bat symbol on that pumpkin.

I was today-years-old when I realized people are feeding chickens cheese. Ours have had cream cheese, but only because I had the romantic idea that one could eat breakfast while visiting with chickens. Nope.

This reminds me of one of the game fowl keepers I knew in Catalonia. His top rooster used to sit on his shoulderif the man was eating food.Every time the man lifted the food to his mouth the rooster took a bite along with the man. It didn't matter which way the man turned his head to take a bite, the rooster would just change shoulders. I asked the man why he didn't just put some on the ground for the rooster. Apparently the rooster wouldn't eat it.

 

[Shadrach]

Do the eggs take on a fishy taste when the flock eats sardines?

Not that I've noticed. Many good quality feeds years ago were based around a fishmeal protein.