I'm gone for 11 hours on weekdays, so I have a large rubber tub in a shady area of the run, with about an inch or so of water in it. The flock also has a 5 gallon cup waterer available. And I've been giving them chunks of frozen watermelon at dinnertime, yummy.
Our boys pitch in to help or supervise everything we do. I would be miserably unhappy without them.Three hours today. Some morning rain but it stayed dry while I was at the field.
Fret is not a happy hen at the moment. I don't think she's sick, just not her usual self. There are definite signs that she's missing Henry and not be allowed to sit on eggs isn't helping. Tull and Sylph in particular are showing signs of concern at Fret's current condition. I've saw Tull crouch for Fret this afternoon. Fret gave Tull a gentle peck and that was it. I caught Fret to examine her on my lap. She hasn't eaten enough over the past couple of days even though she's not laying eggs. Sylph jumped up as well and Tull would have should there have been room.
In short, the behaviour I've been observing isn't what I expect from a balanced and content tribe.
One of my main joys with the field chickens was doing the weeding and digging with Henry and was just Henry, not the group hoping I would dig something up. I used to weed just to have Henry working alongside even if his enthusiasm was often short lived. Someone mentioned to me that my plot wasn't anything like as tidy and productive as last year. I told them it was because Henry wasn't here to help. I got a very strange look.
The other thing of curse is I don't think we would be having any of the current odd behaviour. Fret would still be able to stick her head under Henry's arse when she had a bout of insecurity. Tull and Sylph would be crouching for him rather than looking for a substitute and I would get more weeding done.
Maybe some of you have experienced the same. I found it very humbling in a pleasant way to have a grown rooster digging along side me. What can I write? Having a sentimental day?
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We have a few the 5-gallon cup waterers too, we keep these in the shady spots, (what a game changer!), several regular waterers and several open waterers scattered around so they don't ever have to go far for a drink, plus the turkeys have access to the shallow areas of the pond. They are far more keen to soak their feet, than the chickens.
Aaaaand… off I went to Darth Bezos. Ordered two. We’re not suffering here as badly as elsewhere, but all three were panting, even at 8 last night.
Looked better this morning. Not 100% but he's crowing and breeding the hens.
! They look like they would do great in warmer climates, maybe retaining some of the Penedescena genes?
