Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Ikslo]

Ok, here's up-to-date photos of the youngsters, who are 18-21 weeks now. Glais
View attachment 4209407
Merioneth
View attachment 4209408
Nybro
View attachment 4209409
Wig
View attachment 4209410
I'm keeping (at least for now) Visby
View attachment 4209419
Talgarth
View attachment 4209411
Lulea
View attachment 4209412
and Edfu
View attachment 4209414
I'm sure I've already posted loads of photos of the old guard: Killay, Fforest, Gwynedd, Tintern, Nefyn and Hensol.

I wish I could show those frightened of roos and cockerels how calm it is here despite the presence of *14* roos; maybe it comes over in the photos. A few of the youngsters have started crowing, but no-one's acting like a jerk, yet. The observant will have noticed one missing: Erddig. His toe never properly recovered from the fracture or dislocation he suffered around 12 weeks, and when, at the end of July, it became swollen and started bleeding and he was clearly suffering with it, I euthanized him. He had a good year and a month. And he may have sired Glais, Hay, Merioneth, Talgarth or Wig. RIP Erddig View attachment 4209425

Lulea

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I give extra protein to the birds year round. I don’t see the feed providing enough protein, and although most should be able to catch an appropriate amount of prey while ranging, I like to be sure that everyone gets enough. The girls are currently growing in feathers that were battered by the males, but they have not stopped laying for the autumn yet.

I usually go by what the girls tell me when it comes to how much protein I give them. If they don’t have enough, they go absolutely crazy over the tiniest bit of meat. When I’m on top of it, the girls are visibly less interested, or rather, don’t dive bomb for it.
The feather quality overall seems to suggest that most birds here do benefit from more protein not just during moulting season, but throughout the year. I just modify how much I give based on how the girls react

Good indicator! (the protein treats)

I was wondering about that - thanks for being the pioneer!

 

[Perris]

I just modify how much I give based on how the girls react

that's what I do too. Conversely, if something is noticably left over when all else is eaten up, I give less of that till we find the right quantities for the moment. It flexes all the time.

 

[Perris]

Lulea

He's the one that survived the rat attack

the throat area healed up without help but it didn't grow new feather follicles, so it looks a bit weird from some angles

 

[RoyalChick]

He's the one that survived the rat attack
View attachment 4210002
the throat area healed up without help but it didn't grow new feather follicles, so it looks a bit weird from some angles
View attachment 4210004

I somehow missed that episode. I am glad he is OK. I was very anxious about getting the babies when I had a rat infestation. Fortunately I got rid of the rats just in time.

 

[MrsNorthie]

I usually go by what the girls tell me when it comes to how much protein I give them. If they don’t have enough, they go absolutely crazy over the tiniest bit of meat. When I’m on top of it, the girls are visibly less interested, or rather, don’t dive bomb for it.

Basically what we do. Right now, they have so many bugs and other things that they are getting from foraging, they could careless about extra protein, but they go mad for cantaloupe or watermelon. LOL

 

[MrsNorthie]

He's the one that survived the rat attack
View attachment 4210002
the throat area healed up without help but it didn't grow new feather follicles, so it looks a bit weird from some angles
View attachment 4210004

He is so lovely!

 

[MrsNorthie]

I somehow missed that episode. I am glad he is OK. I was very anxious about getting the babies when I had a rat infestation. Fortunately I got rid of the rats just in time.

What method did you use to eradicate the rats?

 

[Perris]

I somehow missed that episode. I am glad he is OK. I was very anxious about getting the babies when I had a rat infestation. Fortunately I got rid of the rats just in time.

His broody saved him; I only knew about it when I saw and heard her fly in to action. The chickens, a local feral cat, and apparently a Gower adder have all been predating them, and presumably the local foxes do too. In any case I think we have a balance now.

 

[RoyalChick]

What method did you use to eradicate the rats?

I eliminated food using a rat proof feeder made by a guy here on BYC and once the food was gone I used bait that would not have a secondary effect on wildlife (or chickens) if they ate the corpse.
I also managed to kill a few with dry ice down in their burrows.
I only ever had one dead rat to dispose of. The rest abandoned ship. I have been rat free for almost 2 months now.
I was skeptical about eliminating food having such an effect but it really did.
I was thinking of writing an article about it to help others handle the issue.