Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

Thanks, @Labsandchickens8, for the deep like on my post about the Annual Battle of the Laying Hens. I mindlessly clicked on my first notification and found myself re-reading a post I'd forgotten all about.

Had also forgotten that it's battle season again! When Most Illustrious and Qualified Head Hen Brahma Donna and Bebe historically have their annual epic argument.

There's not really a battle vibe out there right now. In fact, Bebe's in a great mood because it's finally cricket season. She loves chasing crickets. Beebs:
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Donna is pre-molt cranky but stopped laying a month ago. I've always suspected the battle kicks off when the 2 of them want the same nesting box, so maybe there won't be a battle this year, and Miss Donna's precious earlobes will be spared.

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Donna makes the chick-calling noise more when she's in a bad mood.

In her case, it doesn't mean she'll go broody. It seems to be a way to make her hens listen when her patience is short. If the hens don't follow her chook-chook-chook noises, she'll chase and peck them to move where she wants, which lately is off of Beakwipe's lap. Donna doesn't like sharing me when she's grouchy.

I'll have to look more carefully at what goes on between Mow and Sylph when Mow does the chick call.

 

[rural mouse]

Three hours today. A rather pleasant afternoon with warm sunshine and the smell of the morning rain still in the air.
I took a lot of pictures.
As can be seen in the pictures, Mow and Sylph spend most of their time close to each other when out on the field. This is good: it's good for me at any rate, they might see the arrangement as a matter of necessity.

It can also be seen in the recent pictures I think, that they are close to me. This isn't good. While I love having their company what they should be doing is foraging, which they do, because I take them out and do a bit of digging and moving rotting wood etc for them. May be good for me in that it's exercise. They are getting better at the digging for themselves once I've picked a spot and started. The compost heaps have helped in this regard because I just need to hack a few holes and they'll carry on from there.
Then there's the crouching business. I suppose one could see it as cute if one didn't think a bit about what it means in the chicken world, but when a hen thinks I'm a likely candidate for furthering her genes then something has gone seriously wrong.

The only experience of hen only groups I've had has been with Fat Bird and Ruffles who were rooster-less and the only hens left. While they spent a lot of time in my house during the day, Cillin hardly broke a sweat when he eventually mustered the courage to ask if he could move in with them. Ruffles was a pushover anyway.

Mow has been making chick I've found food calls. Sylph used to go and investigate but got a slap for her trouble. Would Mow go broody if I left eggs in the nest.

One would have thought there would be lots of "spare" roosters available but so far I haven't found this to be the case. I may not be looking in the right places. The few I have investigated were rangers and this better off elsewhere. Bear in mind what you see in the pictures is a small portion of the chickens day, the rest is spent in the run. I'm looking for a rooster who would be better off at the field than most other options and that I'm finding a hard call mainly because it reminds me what an appalling restricted life the field chickens have for the majority of their day.

I've pretty much decided that I'll try to introduce a single rooster and once established, then add some more hens. It may not happen like that due to lack of choice. Best laid plans...
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There are still lots of Lady Birds out. Ths one is on one of the few still flowering St John's Wort plants.
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Is something like this situation more what you're looking for?

this is a screenshot, so the link won't work and clearly, I have no idea how far this is from you.

 

[MrsNorthie]

Is something like this situation more what you're looking for?View attachment 4190701this is a screenshot, so the link won't work and clearly, I have no idea how far this is from you.

How horrible are some people, they just dump them anywhere.

 

[MrsNorthie]

Everybody says Facebook.
I don't have and don't want an account but needs must when the devil drives.

I have been severely limiting my social media time, everything is so fake. I haven't had a facebook account for a few years and really loathe it, but if it helps find a nice young lad that fits the bill, as soon as you have him, you can let it go dormant or even cancel it.

 

[L-plate chicken mum]

Is something like this situation more what you're looking for?View attachment 4190701this is a screenshot, so the link won't work and clearly, I have no idea how far this is from you.

Derbyshire, c150 mile from Brissol

 

[Perris]

Have you tried Preloved? For example, this guy is just the other side of the Mendips
https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/122771729/cockerel-light-sussex-wellsummer-cross?link=search

 

[BDutch]

Everybody says Facebook.

We have Marktplaats, sort of Craigslist in the Netherlands to sell/ask for all kind of things. Including chickens.
Sure you have something similar in the UK.

PS is preloved such a trade website/app?

I don't have and don't want an account but needs must when the devil drives.

You are not alone in this. No FB. But do use WhatsApp bc I would miss too much connections. Block the read along options and I do try to convince people to use Signal instead.

I hate scrupulous guys like Zuckerb. Try to avoid them getting richer by my behaviour and never buy their products.

 

[kattabelly]

Everybody says Facebook.
I don't have and don't want an account but needs must when the devil drives.

Yeah I hate needing to have an account after having managed to avoid it until recently. If you do decide to bite the bullet, throwaway email address and a browser like ghostery makes it feel slightly less invasive.

Faceache tax: a fulmar chick living in an Iron Age broch

 

[Perris]

PS is preloved such a trade website/app?

"What’s so special about Preloved?​

It's simple​

Preloved has no listing fees, no selling fees and you can upgrade your account to get extra benefits for as little as £5 a year.

No auctions​

If you're buying or selling second hand, we offer a great alternative to the hassle and expense of auction sites.

Made for buyers and sellers​

We are made for both buyers and sellers. So, whether you're wanting to find a new home for your unwanted items, or bag yourself a bargain, Preloved can help.

Good for the planet​

Whether you're buying or selling, you're helping us on our mission to reduce landfill. Recycling is really important to Preloved, to find out how you can do your bit check out our recycling articles.

We Take Animal Welfare Very Seriously​

Whether you're looking to rehome a pet or give a pet a home, read our animal welfare pages to find advice to help you make decisions when rehoming an animal. Every animal deserves a forever home. We care about animal welfare and are proud to meet the minimum standards set by PAAG. To find out more about what we are doing to combat poor animal welfare, please visit our Pet Pledge page.

"
Quoted from their 'About us' page.

 

[rural mouse]

Derbyshire, c150 mile from Brissol

Considering that Montana (my state) and the UK (at least England, Scotland, and Wales) are similarly sized, 150 miles here is not something we blink an eye at. I do know that in England, that's a different kettle of fish (especially if you don't drive).

I figured that specific one was likely out of range, but using the bird's living situation as a baseline for search parameters would be helpful for those of us who do have Facebook and a few min to peruse...and no other means of reasonably aiding.