Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

Every now and then I think of the three chicks who joined the circus one was the most beautiful pale yellow colour.

They went feral in the end but one of the hens did sit and hatch. I don't know any more than that.

 

[Shadrach]

I didn't even know there was a movie made from Papillon. Do they mention it means butterfly? How could you clip a butterfly's wings or refrain it from flying ?

Do you inspect all of them in systematic turns, or do you focus on some?
They seem to be in pretty good health now compared to a few months ago. King Henry probably admits he owes you some credit for that and will tolerate you fiddling with him.

Of course if there was three coops they would have more confortable housings and each group could have his home .

I'm what is best described as an opportunist inspector. Any on the watch list get checked each time I'm there. The rest of the inspections is pretty random. If I find mites or other obvious problems then I work my way through the lot. It's a lot easier to do this now than it was. Even Fret will let me inspecter her if she's roosting next to Henry. She fusses a bit and then sticks her head under Henry's wing until I've finished.

Yeah but, to work properly each coop would need a rooster. I just can't adequately explain just how important the rooster part is. It's something one has to see over time and in differing circumstances to fully appreciate.
For example, currently Henry roosts on the bar outside the main coop. There is quite fierce competition about who roosts with him. It's almost always Matilda, Fret and one or two of the Legbars and more recently Lima. Six on the roost bar is usual.
But, the rest of the hens then compete to sit right in the coop doorway, or as near to it as they can get so Henry is in their sight. If I open the coop there is a pile right by the door and apart from a couple in the nest box the remainder of the coop is empty. I'll try and get a picture.

 

[Shadrach]

Both babies look to be mostly ok, so I won't have to go through the unpleasant act of culling.

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Is that them all now?

 

[Shadrach]

Definitely one of the mentally hardest things I have ever done, and I was in the army for over 21 years.

It is hard. Even now and when I know I'm doing the right thing I still find it hard.

 

[Shadrach]

We lost Mo in night .. He had spent his life with us .. Always had fresh water and food .. lot's of love and trust.

 

[Shadrach]

We have his siblings Curly and Bob it will be hard on them.

Yup, it's harder on those left behind.

 

[Shadrach]

Train was cancelled today so I was late. Fortunately C had them out during the day.

 

[MaryJanet]

We lost Mo in night .. He had spent his life with us .. Always had fresh water and food .. lot's of love and trust.

I'm sure he couldn't ask for more

 

[no fly zone]

Is that them all now?

Yes

 

[MaryJanet]

Train was cancelled today so I was late. Fortunately C had them out during the day.
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The hens at my place would be overjoyed with all that grass to pick at!