Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[ppruitt]

Not planning on starting with a couple and working up then (?)

I kept chickens in the early 80s. Didn't know much about them. And people kept giving me more. I think I had 43 at one time. Didn't know breeds and they probably weren't any particular breed. I had a gorgeous BIG rooster that was mostly mahogany red with some black and green tail feathers. Another small rooster who couldn't get a lady to save his life, and assorted hens with a few bantys thrown in. I sold eggs, gave away eggs and ate eggs every day. My children don't care for eggs now, but they don't remember the years that I grew everything we had to eat. This was before it was fashionable to have a 'homestead'. LOL

 

[MaryJanet]

Relaxing in my chair watching the chickens. About the only worthwhile thing I've done today.
View attachment 3133959

Lima was first in. She stepped over the edge and then came back out.
I put a handfull of layers pellets on the floor inside. A couple of the Ex Battery hens sort of hovered by the opening, took a step in to reach the pellets and came out again. Henry arrived and I went and got on with cleaning out the small coop.
Henry did go in but didn't stay.
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Matilda was the first one to go in and explore properly. She was in there for a while and made quite a lot of calls which I didn't understand. Henry answered but didn't go to meet her. One, then two and three Ex Battery hens went in while Matilda was exploring.
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Then something really strange happened. I can grab Matilda and take her off the roost bar with no drama but she has never attempted to make any contact of her own initiation. This evening when she came out of the new coop she came straight over to me, pecked my boot and then pecked my overall trouser leg a number of times making soft clucking sounds.
I think Matilda knows its another coop.
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That's amazing. She was obviously communicating with you about something and the coop is the most likely topic. Whatever her intent, it's a genuine step up in trust.

 

[MaryJanet]

She's the most senior hen here in years and status. She's one of Henry's daughters. She's very steady and in many ways reminds me of a senior hen called Fat Bird who goverend Tribe 1 for the entire time I lived in Catalonia.

That's a wonderful thought.

But part of me hopes she doesn't develop a habit of relying on bucket boy to carry her to the roost each night!

Any idea how old Matilda is?

 

[GregnLety]

One trip hazard and a few roosters.

 

[bruceha2000]

I'm french. I will always focus on what's wrong no matter what.

Ah yes, the French and their angst!

I can still lift 60kg I discovered.

I'd be lucky to lift half that.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Okay I can still do 50 lb sacks does not mean I won't pay dearly later either.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Relaxing in my chair watching the chickens. About the only worthwhile thing I've done today.
View attachment 3133959

Lima was first in. She stepped over the edge and then came back out.
I put a handfull of layers pellets on the floor inside. A couple of the Ex Battery hens sort of hovered by the opening, took a step in to reach the pellets and came out again. Henry arrived and I went and got on with cleaning out the small coop.
Henry did go in but didn't stay.
View attachment 3133979
View attachment 3133980
View attachment 3133981
View attachment 3133982
View attachment 3133983
Matilda was the first one to go in and explore properly. She was in there for a while and made quite a lot of calls which I didn't understand. Henry answered but didn't go to meet her. One, then two and three Ex Battery hens went in while Matilda was exploring.
View attachment 3133984
View attachment 3133985
Then something really strange happened. I can grab Matilda and take her off the roost bar with no drama but she has never attempted to make any contact of her own initiation. This evening when she came out of the new coop she came straight over to me, pecked my boot and then pecked my overall trouser leg a number of times making soft clucking sounds.
I think Matilda knows its another coop.
View attachment 3133986View attachment 3133987

Clearly, she went in & stayed long enough to try out the new dance floor. Then Waltzing Matilda came back our for some refreshments, and to say "thank you & nicely done," of course. Those little pecks & soft clucking sounds were very sweet to read about!

 

[ManueB]

Only 1 bird at this moment. My theory is he hurt himself zooming around the coop chest bumping with his brothers.

Then watching the other chicks closely will let you know. Also, I seem to remember they don't free range ? It would make a virus less probable unless it was already in your flock.

I have right about 23 not including Smudge or banty.
I am giving my postal bud back 3 or 4 not sure how many I still have ...
This is another shot of them for tax.View attachment 3133911

I also find it quite nice to see so many together! Love all the black birds!

What did you use to cut the holes to make the feeder ? We've got some gutter pipe left from the new roof and I'd like to try make feeders like your. Our grinder is way too big though.

One trip hazard and a few roosters. View attachment 3134208View attachment 3134215View attachment 3134217View attachment 3134220

Beautiful roosters ! Are red and cholo still living their best separate lives ?

 

[ManueB]

Relaxing in my chair watching the chickens. About the only worthwhile thing I've done today.
View attachment 3133959

Lima was first in. She stepped over the edge and then came back out.
I put a handfull of layers pellets on the floor inside. A couple of the Ex Battery hens sort of hovered by the opening, took a step in to reach the pellets and came out again. Henry arrived and I went and got on with cleaning out the small coop.
Henry did go in but didn't stay.
View attachment 3133979
View attachment 3133980
View attachment 3133981
View attachment 3133982
View attachment 3133983
Matilda was the first one to go in and explore properly. She was in there for a while and made quite a lot of calls which I didn't understand. Henry answered but didn't go to meet her. One, then two and three Ex Battery hens went in while Matilda was exploring.
View attachment 3133984
View attachment 3133985
Then something really strange happened. I can grab Matilda and take her off the roost bar with no drama but she has never attempted to make any contact of her own initiation. This evening when she came out of the new coop she came straight over to me, pecked my boot and then pecked my overall trouser leg a number of times making soft clucking sounds.
I think Matilda knows its another coop.
View attachment 3133986View attachment 3133987

I don't know if it was Mathilda's way of saying thank you , or well done.

When you're done with having the coop in the chicken's place and them sleeping in it, this will be maybe the biggest improvement you made for them and certainly the most lasting one.
Stubbornness is wonderful, sometimes.

 

[ManueB]

That's pretty impressive ! I whine if I have to lift 30 and my back kills me if not the next day then the day after.

I'd be lucky to lift half that.

Okay I can still do 50 lb sacks does not mean I won't pay dearly later either.

Turns out when you have to you can. We had to transfer a deceased old friend's hives to our place Wednesday. One weighed 100 kgs, heaviest we ever had. We managed to lift it from the van to the wheelbarrow and from the wheelbarrow to the apiary.

@Shadrach and @pennyJo1960 I hope to be in your shape when I reach your age.