Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Sequel]

Here is my flock planning an excursion. They were only out for about 10 minutes and something scared the pudding out of them! I'm assuming it was a barred owl that I've flushed out of the tree next to my compost pile twice last week! It is so strange, the light dims and you see motion but there is NO sound! I saw a BBC documentary about an owl's silent flight and now I can say it's absolutely true! Anyhow the chickens are safe for now and I think the owl is on mouse/rat duty which is fine with me.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, I think it’s mostly because of getting chicks at hatcheries. The fatty livers may be my fault, since they only free range when supervised, which doesn’t happen during the work week in winter (it is dark when I get home and even sometimes when I leave in the morning.) At least two and likely three having cancer makes me wonder if there us something in the environment, but I have ready many times over that there is high incidence of cancer in high production birds and I think hatcheries breed them to be just that.

I would like to continue caring for chickens throughout my lifetime, nut would prefer to stop supporti g the hatchety industry. I’m only on 2/3 of an acre, so not set up for multiple roosters (so not set up for them to hatch their own, either). Someday I might rescue, as well. I just don’t know. I’d like a few chicks next year, but would need to research breeders who provide good conditions and I don’t think there is much of that in California.

Lots of typos here. Sorry!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Afternoon all, We spent the day out with late gift purchases...

 

[micstrachan]

So I have a thought about the behavior in the flock/tribe. There are only hens, and the alpha, Bridge, is the oldest. She often reminds the second in command, Buttercup, who is boss. Third in command, Lucky, doesn’t stand a chance against either of them, but does seem to outrank everyone else.

Bridge

Buttercup

Lucky

Enter Flo.

Flo (Black Australorp)is one of the two youngest. However, I have always thought she seemed like an alpha in the making. Interestingly, she is the only one Bridge allows to roost beside her. Bridge pretty much lets Flo do whatever she wants. I wonder why that is? Does Bridge respect her? Has Bridge befriended her knowing she may take her top position one day? Does Flo remind her of her chick mate, Bagheera, who has been gone for a few years, but was also a Black Australorp with similar appearance and voice to Flo? Or is it simpler than that and Bridge just likes her?

On a side note, with the exception of Sunshine who was very low ranked, but loved to cuddle so much she’d hop in my lap and shove her head in my armpit, all the highest ranked hens have been the biggest lap sitters. Is that because they view me as the rooster and think they deserve the most attention?

Sunshine with her head in my armpit:

Sunshine being cute

 

[micstrachan]

Here is my flock planning an excursion. They were only out for about 10 minutes and something scared the pudding out of them! I'm assuming it was a barred owl that I've flushed out of the tree next to my compost pile twice last week! It is so strange, the light dims and you see motion but there is NO sound! I saw a BBC documentary about an owl's silent flight and now I can say it's absolutely true! Anyhow the chickens are safe for now and I think the owl is on mouse/rat duty which is fine with me. View attachment 3350162

Owls are amazing! Poor scared birds. Mine are too scared to roam much lately, as well. We have a resident Red Shouldered Hawk, which doesn’t help. It stalks them.

 

[micstrachan]

But i live in the US.


Turns out it was just a fatty lump. Got an MRI scheduled for mon though.
She was such a good girl while there.

YAY, Skeksis! Great news. She is SO darn cute!

 

[micstrachan]

-2C at the allotments. Two hours wondering if my fingers would ever work again. The drama rolls on. I go anyway and make sure they get out, fresh clean water, clean coop and go to roost with a full crop.
It's wait and see what happens.

Fret.
View attachment 3349930

Wow, just look at Fret! She looks amazing!

 

[Perris]

It's chilly here this morning. This was the inside of the waterer

Temps are not expected to rise above freezing all day, so I guess I'll be checking and changing it 3 or 4 times today.
And as I have the camera card in, here's the new layer's little egg

 

[Marie2020]

Lots of typos here. Sorry!

I'm not alone thank goodness

 

[Iluveggers]

@micstrachan those are great questions about your all female flock. I often wonder many of the same, although I haven’t figured out full pecking order yet!