Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[TropicalChickies]

my experience of lone chicks is limited to the single recent case of Fez, who just turned 12 weeks old, who was weaned gradually over the last few weeks by her broody simply failing to answer her cheeps, and who has been integrated from the beginning. Maybe because there was only one chick, her broody stayed with the flock most of the time and didn't self-segregate like all the others have done? Anyway Fez appears to have done fine as a solo. Yes she's low on the pecking order, but she's still present and eats with the other hens, ahead of Amadeo and Fforest, and doesn't need protection like Chirk currently. She does not appear to be an independent hen in the making.
View attachment 3617595

My Butchie, who recently passed away, really struggled as a solo chick. When her mum pretty abruptly weaned her, it was the start of the rainy season, and poor Butchie would just run around in the rain -- that's how she sprained her leg, sliding on the mud. Perhaps that's why she was so content to live with us. I remember how she would perch on the back of my chair as I typed on my keypad, following the "pecking" movements of my finger with her beak. But when she decided to go roost with the older hens, then they accepted her. But I'm glad she lived some of her first year with us in the kitchen, because that's where she lived out her last months as well.

 

[fluffycrow]

My Butchie, who recently passed away, really struggled as a solo chick. When her mum pretty abruptly weaned her, it was the start of the rainy season, and poor Butchie would just run around in the rain -- that's how she sprained her leg, sliding on the mud. Perhaps that's why she was so content to live with us. I remember how she would perch on the back of my chair as I typed on my keypad, following the "pecking" movements of my finger with her beak. But when she decided to go roost with the older hens, then they accepted her. But I'm glad she lived some of her first year with us in the kitchen, because that's where she lived out her last months as well.

Again, so sorry you lost her. She was your heart bird

 

[TropicalChickies]

Again, so sorry you lost her. She was your heart bird

She really was. I also lost my most intelligent and senior hen, Cleo, in June. Tough to lose the brain and the heart so close together. These groups I tend to now are so young. The oldest are just over two years. They aren't quite as interesting, I'm afraid to say. Their characters just aren't as developed. Then again, I'm not much for kids and teenage humans though either. But I'm looking forward to seeing them grow and mature.

 

[TropicalChickies]

If he runs at you from a distance, wings outstretched and head down and pulls up a couple of feet from you, then he's just happy to see you.

Yes, that sums it up. When I stop walking and face him he pulls up a few feet away and stands there like he's expecting something from me. When I don't do anything, he starts trying to bribe me with weeds and rocks.

The first time he charged me a few days ago, I think I walked away too soon. Because he charged me again and we had to repeat the "I'm not crouching" routine again until he moved on. Today I waited until he moved on to look for someone more receptive to his offerings, and when I walked away, he didn't pursue.

 

[Shadrach]

Yes, that sums it up. When I stop walking and face him he pulls up a few feet away and stands there like he's expecting something from me. When I don't do anything, he starts trying to bribe me with weeds and rocks.

The first time he charged me a few days ago, I think I tried to walk away too soon. Because he charged me again and we had to repeat the "I'm not crouching" routine again until he moved on. Today I waited until he moved on to look for someone more receptive to his offerings, and when I walked away, he didn't pursue.

It is usually juveniles (under one year old) that do this. Some try this with the hens and the hen crouches. Once they've matured a bit the chest bump becomes the polite way of asking. The rooster walks up behind the hen and bumps her tail feathers with his chest. If she crouches then they'll mate, if she doesn't the rooster walks away and tries again later.
There are all sorts in between including rando neck grabs, treading the hens back, chasing etc, but most rooster over 18 months end up doing the chest bump.

 

[TropicalChickies]

It is usually juveniles (under one year old) that do this. Some try this with the hens and the hen crouches. Once they've matured a bit the chest bump becomes the polite way of asking. The rooster walks up behind the hen and bumps her tail feathers with his chest. If she crouches then they'll mate, if she doesn't the rooster walks away and tries again later.
There are all sorts in between including rando neck grabs, treading the hens back, chasing etc, but most rooster over 18 months end up doing the chest bump.

Ok, good to know. Only 8 more months of dismissing weeds and rocks! Great! I've seen Lucio chest bump Tina a couple times. She's senior now, so maybe it's a deference thing along with maturity. But all the other hens/pullets he mates with, it's either chase them down until they crouch or snatch and grab.

Perhaps someday I will have the pleasure of an elder statesman like Henry. I dare to dream.

 

[MrsNorthie]

both times he stopped abruptly, turned to the side to show me his handsome profile, and puffed out his chest. I stayed where I was and repeated "Back off." Then he starts pulling out little plants and seeds from the ground and offering them to me. Er, thanks but no thanks.

My 2 non dominants, do this a lot with me, I think they are practicing their charm tactics or showing me that they can be charming and will be excellent with the new girls. My dominant, who as been known to try to flog me on occasion, will also start offering me treats when I catch him about to be naughty.. He is actually getting much better, since I started preening him at bed check and giving him "treats" to share with the girls, instead of feeding them myself. At 8 months old, they are still very hormonal. LOL

 

[TropicalChickies]

My 2 non dominants, do this a lot with me, I think they are practicing their charm tactics or showing me that they can be charming and will be excellent with the new girls. My dominant, who as been known to try to flog me on occasion, will also start offering me treats when I catch him about to be naughty.. He is actually getting much better, since I started preening him at bed check and giving him "treats" to share with the girls, instead of feeding them myself. At 8 months old, they are still very hormonal. LOL

I haven't been giving any treats because we just cut back the overgrown vegetation and pruned trees, so there's bugs galore out there. But I'll try the giving him the treats to share with the hens thing. I read somewhere that's a way to show him that you are not a hen. And I am not a hen, goshdarnit

 

[fluffycrow]

Kolovos isn't the biggest bumper. Right now Big Red definitely isn't, but he's got some more months to go. Honestly I don't really bother with how they mate. Sure, it's interesting to know all the different types of invitations for mating, bur as long as the animals are happy, I'm good. And right now the hens aren't complaining with their man's style, and the men are equally content

 

[MrsNorthie]

There are oh so many articles or methods on how to raise a male "right". If they even do as much as look at you it's enough for him to be gone, according to some. It seems the ideal rooster is a hen with some extra color

There are so very many people that their go to response is to cull the males and that is sad. I love my boys, they are so good with the girls, and now that my understanding of their role and needs is growing I am really enjoying watching them grow and develop. They are such noble, proud creatures.