Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[MrsNorthie]

He seems to be OK. There's barely a bump where it came off, and he's strutting about acting as if nothing happened View attachment 4022311
View attachment 4022312

Squeak lost one like that, it still hasn't grown back. :-(

 

[Shadrach]

Killay lost a spur near roost-time last night, right up to the shank. Lots of blood on the roosts in the coop he was in. I don't think he will appreciate being caught and treated, but we'll see. Tintern seems to think this is an opportunity; they clashed briefly at breakfast. More to follow.

It is an opportunity. When roosters lost a spur or both in the past they've not done so well in the fights.

 

[Shadrach]

Getting close to two years this April.

Managed to get to that more stable stage then.

 

[Shadrach]

View attachment 4023394

We had the log. Kings Day is the big Christmas day for most Catalonians.

 

[MrsNorthie]

If your chickens behave like my chickens, and if they can avoid the pond, you don’t need a fence.

My experience is like BDutch's; there is a seasonal stream through our property and no chicken or chick has ever drowned in it, despite having free access at all times.

I worry because of the influence of ducks and geese that frequent the pond and it is pretty deep in places, with a big drop off and lot's of good foraging spots.

I have 2 creeks and the only drowning was in a black feed bowl.
The problem I have is predators are attracted to water.

We have predators in the area, but since there is a house on the other side of our property (for my mom), and 2 on the other side of the pond, they seem to steer clear. We get a lot of deer and bunnies, only had the fox family move through once, so it is a risk, but they won't be out at night, and we have a lot of activity around her during the day that tends to keep wild creatures at bay.

 

[Shadrach]

Cold with freezing drizzle towards dusk. They're all cold. You can see it in their behaviour.
Tull laid another egg. I do hope she isn't going to be daily layer. One egg every now and then is fine.

They're venturing further afield looking for forage. Still seem to be finding things to eat. I think they're on a lot of next best choice forage now.
Black grape halves, walnut and hemp seeds for treats. Spread on the ground for the hens and hamd fed Henry.

 

[notabitail]

We had the log. Kings Day is the big Christmas day for most Catalonians.

Which, I'm going to guess, is Jan 6.

We do presents that day instead of Christmas.

 

[BDutch]

Which, I'm going to guess, is Jan 6.

We do presents that day instead of Christmas.

In Spain the day of the 3 kings is a very important day to celebrate. I have seen public plays, parades and people buying presents for the children whenever I was in Spain around the 6th of January.

In my country we do something similar for children on Sint Nicolas day (5 December). The English/Americans altered it and have their Santa Claus bringing presents on the 25th of December.

It seems we all need a day during winter to give presents to the children.
.

 

[notabitail]

In Spain the day of the 3 kings is a very important day to celebrate. I have seen public plays, parades and people buying presents for the children whenever I was in Spain around the 6th of January.

In my country we do something similar for children on Sint Nicolas day (5 December). The English/Americans altered it and have their Santa Claus bringing presents on the 25th of December.

It seems we all need a day during winter to give presents to the children.
. View attachment 4023662

Here the Rosca de Reyes is a tradition. First person to find the Baby Jesus figure in the cake has to pay for next year's.

Sadly the quality of the cakes here went downhill, and I had one that was bad enough to ruin a trip (Rosca de Grosca. It smelled bad too). Rosca hasn't been the same since then, but I still enjoy the presents and egg nog.

 

[Perris]

It is an opportunity. When roosters lost a spur or both in the past they've not done so well in the fights.

thanks for the forewarning. Just an hour or two after the clash at breakfast they were both standing preening with the rest of the flock in the border, a couple of feet apart and apparently all made up, and I've seen no aggressive behaviour since. But I'm sure Tintern is the heir apparent. Fforest has always been happy to play second fiddle to Killay and now to Tintern too; he just keeps out of the way, and usually enjoys more hen company too, both day and night. He's got at least as many offspring as well, so I'm beginning to think that the usual blurb about dominant roos is based on partial evidence.