Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[rural mouse]

"Don't know what those hens fuss about. This broody business is easy"
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Cillin is awesome!

 

[Shadrach]

Hey, Shad. I just noticed that “the others” are spread out like mine do. What do you make of that? I seem to recall you commenting on my flock that you found it usual for them to spread out while ranging.

Henry can't keep them grouped together. He does try but there are just too many hens.

 

[Shadrach]

Tax Notice.

Weather reports are all taxable!

 

[Shadrach]

Cillin is awesome!

He is, but all the roosters did this stuff. It's just that Cillin and Treacle get most publicity because of the nest box in my house that made observing and recording their behaviour easy.
None of the roosters, or cockerels did anything unusual according to others who keep free range chickens. These activities are just part of a range of chicken activities that many just don't get to see for whatever reasons.
It's interesting that once one mentions such activitites people go away annd look at what their chiickens do and return to say that now someone has pointed out whhat is going on they see exactly the same behaviour in their chickens.
Some behviours are fundamental to chickens. Usually the reason they don't get seen is because the keeping arrangements don't permit the behaviour. For example, there is no point in a rooster trying to escort a henn to annd from a nest site if the nest sites is less than a couple of metres in any direction from where he stands. He knows where his hen is.

 

[Shadrach]

Sick hen unaware she is being looked at.

Same hen aware that I am not only looking at her but trying to catch her.

 

[Shadrach]

A mud bonus.
The run is so wet and muddy that all the chickens lower legs are caked in mud. I don't think any leg mites can breathe underneath that amount of mud.

 

[RoyalChick]

Sick hen unaware she is being looked at.
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Same hen aware that I am not only looking at her but trying to catch her.
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In what way is this one sick Shad?

 

[RoyalChick]

A mud bonus.
The run is so wet and muddy that all the chickens lower legs are caked in mud. I don't think any leg mites can breathe underneath that amount of mud.

You discovered a new treatment maybe?

 

[Shadrach]

An "Oh genetics are so much fun to play around with" unfortunate result; headless legbars.

 

[micstrachan]

Each time?

Yes. That was just the medication cost. It was effective and extended her life a couple years. However, I don’t think I’d do it long term like that again, as she ended up having extensive cancer and I may have prolonged her suffering.