Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Mother of Chaos]

After the recent passing of one of the senior hens, I wasn’t expecting, or at the very least, hoping there to be another death in the groups for some time.

On Wednesday, I found Kolovos in terrible condition. His comb was pale and droopy, he was not standing, eyes shut and generally unresponsive. Looked him over for potential injuries, large scabs, and fluids coming out of his mouth, beak or eyes, anything I could have missed the past few days, as I had not seen the chickens on Tuesday. Nothing. He was just shutting down. Completely unresponsive to food and water. Sure enough, by Thursday he was gone. I can’t say what killed him. Possibly something internal that was going on long before it was noticeable. Maybe it was me who killed him (indirectly), by continuing to keep them on a commercial feed diet.

He was never particularly fond of me, as I’ve written many times before on this thread and many more. Still, I respected him very much. He was the rooster that accomplished a lot of the firsts on this property. He and his girls were the ones to teach me what a proper, (semi) well-structured group looks like, as well as all the natural behaviours that accompany it. He was for the most part, excellent with his hens. The first time I’d clearly seen hens picking their male. I could go on and on about what Kolovos had brought to his group, and this property. Most importantly though, I am saddened beyond words that he won’t get to continue his wonderful journey; gone before reaching five years old, much too soon.

I can’t imagine what his hens are going through. They seem completely normal, but I haven’t heard a peep in days; I think that says enough.

I have no clue what the future holds for the Tsouloufati group now. Any future plans or hopes I had (not smart on my part, I know), all included Kolovos. He has left behind quite the legacy, many daughters and granddaughters, and two sons and/or grandsons. It remains to be seen if any of them step up to claim the spot left by their (grand)sire. They’ve got big shoes to fill, and I don’t think the senior hens, which are very much bonded and loyal to Kolovos, will give them said spot easily.

View attachment 4097263One of my favourite photos of him, durst bathing with his hens. The ISA brown in the photo was the previous matriarch, who died almost two years ago at a normal (for an ISA brown) age. The other two are still doing good; hen on the right is the current head hen. Not sure if someone will attempt to take her rank, now that she does not have Kolovos for support

I’m so sorry! I hope that one of the young ones steps up, and the flock can settle down again.

 

[thistlewick]

(can I just ask about this thread, I've been reading it for awhile and it seems like many people use it to update their own stuff as well as Shadrach?? am I correct? And they pay "tax" with images in order for them to be able to post in his thread - did I get that right? Just curious, it's an interesting and wonderful way to run a thread, I enjoy reading it )

 

[MaryJanet]

(can I just ask about this thread, I've been reading it for awhile and it seems like many people use it to update their own stuff as well as Shadrach?? am I correct? And they pay "tax" with images in order for them to be able to post in his thread - did I get that right? Just curious, it's an interesting and wonderful way to run a thread, I enjoy reading it )

Well, as the title states it's Shadrach's thread about rescue chickens.

However, there's a lot thread crashing on byc in general, and some on this thread. Shadrach has never objected (that I recall) and has sometimes participated in discussions that are not aligned to the topic he established when he started the thread.

I hold the view that people making long posts about their own flocks in threads started by other people for specific reasons should probably start their own threads, if only to keep all their flock info in one place for ease of searching.

But as it's Shadrach's thread, it's really up to him, and so far he hasn't objected, if people pay their taxes, on which account...

 

[townchicks]

@fluffycrow ,I'm sorry about the loss of Kolovos, and your senior hen. It always seems to come in bunches. @Shadrach you sure are making good headway on the fence, that's hard work. I'm sure it will be worth it when it's done, but do be careful about over doing things. Poor Fret, these are supposed to be her retirement years. I understand why you don't want her to set, but I think I may not be the only one secretly hoping to see some Henry babies yet. But of course we don't want to see Fret overdo it, so maybe Sylph or Tull? ok, I'll shut up.

 

[MrsNorthie]

After the recent passing of one of the senior hens, I wasn’t expecting, or at the very least, hoping there to be another death in the groups for some time.

On Wednesday, I found Kolovos in terrible condition. His comb was pale and droopy, he was not standing, eyes shut and generally unresponsive. Looked him over for potential injuries, large scabs, and fluids coming out of his mouth, beak or eyes, anything I could have missed the past few days, as I had not seen the chickens on Tuesday. Nothing. He was just shutting down. Completely unresponsive to food and water. Sure enough, by Thursday he was gone. I can’t say what killed him. Possibly something internal that was going on long before it was noticeable. Maybe it was me who killed him (indirectly), by continuing to keep them on a commercial feed diet.

He was never particularly fond of me, as I’ve written many times before on this thread and many more. Still, I respected him very much. He was the rooster that accomplished a lot of the firsts on this property. He and his girls were the ones to teach me what a proper, (semi) well-structured group looks like, as well as all the natural behaviours that accompany it. He was for the most part, excellent with his hens. The first time I’d clearly seen hens picking their male. I could go on and on about what Kolovos had brought to his group, and this property. Most importantly though, I am saddened beyond words that he won’t get to continue his wonderful journey; gone before reaching five years old, much too soon.

I can’t imagine what his hens are going through. They seem completely normal, but I haven’t heard a peep in days; I think that says enough.

I have no clue what the future holds for the Tsouloufati group now. Any future plans or hopes I had (not smart on my part, I know), all included Kolovos. He has left behind quite the legacy, many daughters and granddaughters, and two sons and/or grandsons. It remains to be seen if any of them step up to claim the spot left by their (grand)sire. They’ve got big shoes to fill, and I don’t think the senior hens, which are very much bonded and loyal to Kolovos, will give them said spot easily.

View attachment 4097263One of my favourite photos of him, durst bathing with his hens. The ISA brown in the photo was the previous matriarch, who died almost two years ago at a normal (for an ISA brown) age. The other two are still doing good; hen on the right is the current head hen. Not sure if someone will attempt to take her rank, now that she does not have Kolovos for support

I am sorry for your loss. He was such handsome regal looking Rooster!

 

[Perris]

Very sorry to hear about Kolovos @fluffycrow

 

[MrsNorthie]

Buffy exploded into flight (not a common sight with a Buff Orp) and flew screaming into the coop, making loud hen squawks for several minutes until she calmed down.

HAHA My Buffs get very flighty not as much now as they are a little more mature, but when they were under a year old, they would go on flight maneuvers, quite frequently. They still go off flapping around occasionally and they can get quite stroppy every now and again.

 

[Shadrach]

(can I just ask about this thread, I've been reading it for awhile and it seems like many people use it to update their own stuff as well as Shadrach?? am I correct? And they pay "tax" with images in order for them to be able to post in his thread - did I get that right? Just curious, it's an interesting and wonderful way to run a thread, I enjoy reading it )

You've got the idea. I don't object to much as long as it's about chickens. In the last three and a half years I've only had to bomb four people off the thread.

A PM, I hope tactfuly worded in most cases, has got the message accross. Some thread drift (other topics than chickens) is inevitable but fortunately the regular contributors to the thread have been extremely supportive and have kept the thread drift to a minimum. I have no objection to reading about other peoples chickens on this thread and most contributors add intelligent and interesting information that helps the thread reach the standard where it got voted the best thread on BYC a while ago.

It's the contributors that make the thread, not me. I just set the basic rules and rarely have to intervene. I post about chickens most days and this helps keep the thread on track.

I think this is good advice.

I hold the view that people making long posts about their own flocks in threads started by other people for specific reasons should probably start their own threads, if only to keep all their flock info in one place for ease of searching.

I read a few threads about other peoples chickens and I tend not to write about the field chickens, or give uncalled for comments in most case on those threads.
I've found that answering direct questions rather than trying to respond to every contribution helps keep the thread manageable; it's not that my intention is to be impolite, it's about not having pages of one line responses to everyones posts. A couple of pages of posts to read here is fine, when it gets to ten pages of one liners from host or contriutors I move on. So far, thanks to the regulars contributors, the tax system, and the more thoughtfull and intelligent contributions I've felt that continuing the thread even though the Ex Battery hens have gone and Fret is now the only rescue left is worth the effort. We are lucky in having a diverse selction of nationalities (something I'm keen to encourage) and a wide range of keeping conditions covered in the thread. Hopefully we all learn something from this.

 

[Shadrach]

After the recent passing of one of the senior hens, I wasn’t expecting, or at the very least, hoping there to be another death in the groups for some time.

On Wednesday, I found Kolovos in terrible condition. His comb was pale and droopy, he was not standing, eyes shut and generally unresponsive. Looked him over for potential injuries, large scabs, and fluids coming out of his mouth, beak or eyes, anything I could have missed the past few days, as I had not seen the chickens on Tuesday. Nothing. He was just shutting down. Completely unresponsive to food and water. Sure enough, by Thursday he was gone. I can’t say what killed him. Possibly something internal that was going on long before it was noticeable. Maybe it was me who killed him (indirectly), by continuing to keep them on a commercial feed diet.

He was never particularly fond of me, as I’ve written many times before on this thread and many more. Still, I respected him very much. He was the rooster that accomplished a lot of the firsts on this property. He and his girls were the ones to teach me what a proper, (semi) well-structured group looks like, as well as all the natural behaviours that accompany it. He was for the most part, excellent with his hens. The first time I’d clearly seen hens picking their male. I could go on and on about what Kolovos had brought to his group, and this property. Most importantly though, I am saddened beyond words that he won’t get to continue his wonderful journey; gone before reaching five years old, much too soon.

I can’t imagine what his hens are going through. They seem completely normal, but I haven’t heard a peep in days; I think that says enough.

I have no clue what the future holds for the Tsouloufati group now. Any future plans or hopes I had (not smart on my part, I know), all included Kolovos. He has left behind quite the legacy, many daughters and granddaughters, and two sons and/or grandsons. It remains to be seen if any of them step up to claim the spot left by their (grand)sire. They’ve got big shoes to fill, and I don’t think the senior hens, which are very much bonded and loyal to Kolovos, will give them said spot easily.

View attachment 4097263One of my favourite photos of him, durst bathing with his hens. The ISA brown in the photo was the previous matriarch, who died almost two years ago at a normal (for an ISA brown) age. The other two are still doing good; hen on the right is the current head hen. Not sure if someone will attempt to take her rank, now that she does not have Kolovos for support

Sad to read this fluffycrow. One tends not to fully appreciate a good rooster until they're gone; isn't that the case with many good things. Hopefully one of your juvenile boys will step up.

 

[notabitail]

After the recent passing of one of the senior hens, I wasn’t expecting, or at the very least, hoping there to be another death in the groups for some time.

On Wednesday, I found Kolovos in terrible condition. His comb was pale and droopy, he was not standing, eyes shut and generally unresponsive. Looked him over for potential injuries, large scabs, and fluids coming out of his mouth, beak or eyes, anything I could have missed the past few days, as I had not seen the chickens on Tuesday. Nothing. He was just shutting down. Completely unresponsive to food and water. Sure enough, by Thursday he was gone. I can’t say what killed him. Possibly something internal that was going on long before it was noticeable. Maybe it was me who killed him (indirectly), by continuing to keep them on a commercial feed diet.

He was never particularly fond of me, as I’ve written many times before on this thread and many more. Still, I respected him very much. He was the rooster that accomplished a lot of the firsts on this property. He and his girls were the ones to teach me what a proper, (semi) well-structured group looks like, as well as all the natural behaviours that accompany it. He was for the most part, excellent with his hens. The first time I’d clearly seen hens picking their male. I could go on and on about what Kolovos had brought to his group, and this property. Most importantly though, I am saddened beyond words that he won’t get to continue his wonderful journey; gone before reaching five years old, much too soon.

I can’t imagine what his hens are going through. They seem completely normal, but I haven’t heard a peep in days; I think that says enough.

I have no clue what the future holds for the Tsouloufati group now. Any future plans or hopes I had (not smart on my part, I know), all included Kolovos. He has left behind quite the legacy, many daughters and granddaughters, and two sons and/or grandsons. It remains to be seen if any of them step up to claim the spot left by their (grand)sire. They’ve got big shoes to fill, and I don’t think the senior hens, which are very much bonded and loyal to Kolovos, will give them said spot easily.

View attachment 4097263One of my favourite photos of him, durst bathing with his hens. The ISA brown in the photo was the previous matriarch, who died almost two years ago at a normal (for an ISA brown) age. The other two are still doing good; hen on the right is the current head hen. Not sure if someone will attempt to take her rank, now that she does not have Kolovos for support