Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[TropicalChickies]

why you need do things differently as we do in W Europe

It would be nice if your chicken keeping habits were more common in Western Europe. Unfortunately I think your birds are more the exception than the rule. How many Western European chicken keepers keep nine year old hens?

 

[fluffycrow]

It would be nice if your chicken keeping habits were more common in Western Europe. Unfortunately I think your birds are more the exception than the rule. How many Western European chicken keepers keep nine year old hens?

Definitely way more than Eastern European ones

 

[Shadrach]

That's a real shame over your eldest's birthday; but I'm sure you'll both make up for it later when she's refreshed from holiday and you're over covid. And you'll be able to enjoy 1-to-1 time instead of having to be nice to lots of other rellies at the same time

has your pullet got a little crest developing there?

Yup, she's got a crest like her mum.

 

[Shadrach]

Four hours today. Tomorrow should be easier. Eldest and husband gone on holiday so house is free and I can go there rather than return to the flat for lunch and a nap.

 

[tranquiliti]

Overdue tax:

This is my cockerel “Junior” (hatched in June, of course) who is definitely a mini of his dad, who was taken by a fox +/- other predators in early September (was it really just a few weeks ago?!).

I noticed yesterday severe pallor in his wattles, which had become a robust red (similar to his dad).
Started amprolium tx last night, and will continue through Friday for the whole flock.


Unfortunately I was not able to capture any photos yesterday, but the ones I included here are all from this afternoon with the appearance of slight improvement. (Observer’s placebo effect?)

 

[BDutch]

Pied beau is at least twice Merle 's size, but he’s very afraid of her ! They remind me of how Chipie used to bully Gaston.

This photo is soo weird. As if Pied beau stands on the head of Merle.

It would be nice if your chicken keeping habits were more common in Western Europe. Unfortunately I think your birds are more the exception than the rule. How many Western European chicken keepers keep nine year old hens?

I haven’t got a clue. I don’t believe any records are kept of backyard hobby chickens.

I know that the persons who who sell sexed chicks and pullets are not so nice for their chickens. The chickens, kept for sale and for breed contests, are often kept in small cages/runs. The ones who try to make a profit can’t keep the oldies.
The contest / show breeders have limited space and can only keep the ones good enough for their breeding program.
In general the surplus cockerels get eaten and old hens are good for a soup.

The ones who keep the chickens not just for eggs but also for company or pets often choose to give the chickens a long life.

 

[MrsNorthie]

That gave them the possibility of sleeping in the run or in the small plywood and wood coop my partner built that we used a as brooder and meant as an emergency coop.

I am a bit of a clean freak, so the coops do not have a chance to get dusty, but since the run is pretty secure and we have the motion sensor floodlights, we have left the coops open all summer. Our coops are well ventilated, with fans and we have no signs (#touchwood) of mites or lice, but it is still very warm in there compared to the outside roosts, so during the summer months the older group slept outside on those roosts. The younger ones still slept in their coop but in the window or in the doorway. Now that the weather is getting cooler at night, the older group have transitioned to sleeping in their coop, but it is still opened. As long as they are safe and comfy, I am happy.

 

[fuzzi]

This photo is soo weird. As if Pied beau stands on the head of Merle.


I haven’t got a clue. I don’t believe any records are kept of backyard hobby chickens.

I know that the persons who who sell sexed chicks and pullets are not so nice for their chickens. The chickens, kept for sale and for breed contests, are often kept in small cages/runs. The ones who try to make a profit can’t keep the oldies.
The contest / show breeders have limited space and can only keep the ones good enough for their breeding program.
In general the surplus cockerels get eaten and old hens are good for a soup.

The ones who keep the chickens not just for eggs but also for company or pets often choose to give the chickens a long life.

This is my first flock in 30 years. I got breeds that could be used for meat as well as eggs, but it would be difficult to do so after getting used to my little friends...

"I'm ready for my close-up now!"

 

[MrsNorthie]

I've just spotted that Fez's earlobes have turned lemon - so Amadeo's a daddy!

Congratulations Amadeo!

 

[MaryJanet]

Has anyone ever noticed a hen drinking twice to three times more water than usual the day before she turns broody? I have. Mary the Australorp drank loads of water Monday and was broody Tuesday. I'm wondering if she's an outlier or if that's a thing hens do. Can't say I've noticed it in the other hens, but I haven't been watching for it.