Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

I count myself very lucky in the "Rooster Department." Mine have nearly always gotten along. It helps that they're Nankin bantams, a very docile breed to begin with, so I've had that advantage. I also only hatch every other year or so, so I'm rarely overrun with cockerels. When I do get more than a handful, I keep a bachelor group.

I've noticed that "The Boys" generally get along better when their ages are spread out. My best (& longest lasting) bachelor flock housed nine males, ranging from six months to six years old, with only three (the youngest) the same age. I've since lost a few of the older boys, shared some breeding stock with 4Hers just starting out, rehomed one spoiled pet and lost one to a fox. The remaining two are now my flockmaster and his "lieutenant."

Despite the lack of eggs, bachelor flocks are, by far, my favorites. I truly miss the antics and eye candy of The Frat-Boys. I thought I was "done," but I'm thinking about one more hatch, this Spring.
Please, somebody, STOP ME!

I had far fewer probelms with bantams, not because they were more docile, they just seemed to be better at livng together with minimum conflict. The Marans/bantam crosses were more difficult but not impossible provided they didn't share accomodation.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

I count myself very lucky in the "Rooster Department." Mine have nearly always gotten along. It helps that they're Nankin bantams, a very docile breed to begin with, so I've had that advantage. I also only hatch every other year or so, so I'm rarely overrun with cockerels. When I do get more than a handful, I keep a bachelor group.

I've noticed that "The Boys" generally get along better when their ages are spread out. My best (& longest lasting) bachelor flock housed nine males, ranging from six months to six years old, with only three (the youngest) the same age. I've since lost a few of the older boys, shared some breeding stock with 4Hers just starting out, rehomed one spoiled pet and lost one to a fox. The remaining two are now my flockmaster and his "lieutenant."

Despite the lack of eggs, bachelor flocks are, by far, my favorites. I truly miss the antics and eye candy of The Frat-Boys. I thought I was "done," but I'm thinking about one more hatch, this Spring.
Please, somebody, STOP ME!

That's quite an age range. What's the secret to introducing new boys to an existing bachelor pad?

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Much to my horror and disbelief this person tried to grab Tull.

The audacity!!

 

[no fly zone]

My wife got some of the pork fat.

 

[Shadrach]

I bet they wouldn't think Henry's spurs would be friendly, either.

El Stupido.

Good for Henry!

Not too chicken smart are they

The audacity!!

Just ignorant really. One doesn't grab any animal one doesn't know anything about.

 

[fuzzi]

Just ignorant really. One doesn't grab any animal one doesn't know anything about.

Like stupid people who try to pet a dog they've never met before. My SIL stuck her hand through a car window to pet my dog. First person my dog ever bit, fully justified. The second and last person Pooh bit was a kid who got too close to my infant daughter.

Good dog.

 

[Sally PB]

Good for Henry!

And good for you, @Shadrach, for knowing the signs and defusing the situation.

 

[L-plate chicken mum]

How is brave Bub-bub? Did his tail grow all the way back after the fox encounter in spring?

Oh yes it did, thank you for asking and he still rushes over if one of the hens shouts for him. Very protective of his family but also very good with children - he was very patient with a young disabled visitor this last week who had never had a close encounter with a live chicken before. Her grandmother said that she really enjoyed stroking him. I am always very watchful with kids around & this time had brought him in for her to see & he stayed perched on my arm chatting away throughout.
This is him in August just reminding us that the house is his. He likes these chairs &, when he comes in, he tries very hard to convince the girls that the seat pads are a tasty tidbit! They of course are not so sure

 

[L-plate chicken mum]

I had a visitor at the field this afternoon, not one of my favourite people.
We had a bit of an incident. We were both sat down and Henry was hovering with Sylph and Tull, so I started to hand feed them their treats. Much to my horror and disbelief this person tried to grab Tull. They didn't get her but Henry saw the whole thing and gave a hackle flash and started pecking at the gound. That means fight and I quickly ushered this person away. I asked what the **** they thought they were doing. The respnse was, "not very friendly your chickens are they."View attachment 4021239

What an utter twit (thinking something a little more colourful but this is a family friendly space)

 

[fuzzi]

Oh yes it did, thank you for asking and he still rushes over if one of the hens shouts for him. Very protective of his family but also very good with children - he was very patient with a young disabled visitor this last week who had never had a close encounter with a live chicken before. Her grandmother said that she really enjoyed stroking him. I am always very watchful with kids around & this time had brought him in for her to see & he stayed perched on my arm chatting away throughout.
This is him in August just reminding us that the house is his. He likes these chairs &, when he comes in, he tries very hard to convince the girls that the seat pads are a tasty tidbit! They of course are not so sure

View attachment 4021311

Such a handsome fella!