Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Sally PB]

Tax:

Stormy checking out the butternut squash.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I might have some pictures for tax…my feral hen on one of her fleeting visits

 

[Shadrach]

Two and a half hours this afternoon. I had planned to be at the field a lot earlier but drama broke out with relatives and I had to go and slap a few people, metaphorically speaking of course.

Still no more rat damage. I doubt I've beaten it, but I have slowed the little fecker up a bit. I know who she is, and where she lives but I cant trap her and nor can Mrs Vixen it seems who has certainly eaten many of her offspring.

A fox dug a very impressive trench where Mow it dust bathing but it's not the type of soil the hens would usually pick. It's quite damp and the weather is far from warm enough to warrant a cooling bath. Maybe Mow is taking her rooster role to another level.

It will have to do for now. It will be reasonably stable once I've dug the legs into the ground a little. Next month hopefully I will be able to afford to make the recycled plastic stand with three enclosed sides I have in mind. There is a chance it wont get used until the Ex Battery hens arrive, or someone goes broody. Interestingly, while the new coop has been on the ground Mow and Sylph seemed to have dismissed it as more Bucket Boy junk in out garden!
Now it's on the legs Mow is very interested in it and when I had the auto door fixed on for testing Mow looked as if she was going to make a jump for the open pop door. I think she knows what it is.

 

[kattabelly]

In case I still owe tax: this cracked me up after reading about @Perris' Norfolk Grey not really liking or being liked by the other chickens. Mine usually hangs out with the others but today they were enjoying a dust bath in the greenhouse while she chose to stay out in the drizzle. Just kept seeing this dark little head popping up to glare at them through the window every so often

Is it ok to ask here about how you manage the logistics of (I assume at least somewhat off-grid, though maybe you have mains water there) bum baths, @Shadrach? Theirs, that is! I remember you saying recently that one of them needed a wash. The white pullet in that picture really needs hers doing and I've been debating whether to try just trimming it vs carting flasks of warm water and stuff up the hill so I don't have to dunk her backside in freezing cold rainwater.

(Bet you wish you'd not asked to get back to the chicken chat now )

 

[Shadrach]

In case I still owe tax: this cracked me up after reading about @Perris' Norfolk Grey not really liking or being liked by the other chickens. Mine usually hangs out with the others but today they were enjoying a dust bath in the greenhouse while she chose to stay out in the drizzle. Just kept seeing this dark little head popping up to glare at them through the window every so often
View attachment 4233917

Is it ok to ask here about how you manage the logistics of (I assume at least somewhat off-grid, though maybe you have mains water there) bum baths, @Shadrach? Theirs, that is! I remember you saying recently that one of them needed a wash. The white pullet in that picture really needs hers doing and I've been debating whether to try just trimming it vs carting flasks of warm water and stuff up the hill so I don't have to dunk her backside in freezing cold rainwater.

(Bet you wish you'd not asked to get back to the chicken chat now )

There is a stand pipe at the field and that's it. No safe storage, no electricity, anything worth stealing has to be taken home. I've had a whole bag of feed stolen in the past.
I don't bum bath. I clean the bums with my hand and if it's wet droppings I use a rag to get the worst off then when its dry, scrap what's left off with my fingernails, or roll the feathers with the hardened lumps on between my finger and thumb until the shite crumbles.

 

[Shadrach]

I might have some pictures for tax…my feral hen on one of her fleeting visits
View attachment 4233921

Does she have a rooster?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Does she have a rooster?

Sort of…I have a rooster who sleeps in the trees but spends all day with the other hens. I don’t think they’ve ever actually “met.” She took to the woods after I got rid of my previous rooster who I am fairly certain never managed to pin her down. When she first took off I thought she must be hiding a nest and brooding somewhere but it’s been almost two months at this point and she occasionally leaves an egg in the coop for me.

 

[kattabelly]

There is a stand pipe at the field and that's it. No safe storage, no electricity, anything worth stealing has to be taken home. I've had a whole bag of feed stolen in the past.
I don't bum bath. I clean the bums with my hand and if it's wet droppings I use a rag to get the worst off then when its dry, scrap what's left off with my fingernails, or roll the feathers with the hardened lumps on between my finger and thumb until the shite crumbles.

Thanks, I'll give that a try first.

 

[Shadrach]

Sort of…I have a rooster who sleeps in the trees but spends all day with the other hens. I don’t think they’ve ever actually “met.” She took to the woods after I got rid of my previous rooster who I am fairly certain never managed to pin her down. When she first took off I thought she must be hiding a nest and brooding somewhere but it’s been almost two months at this point and she occasionally leaves an egg in the coop for me.

I take it the other hens (and other males?) use a coop/barn to roost in (?)
Do you know how many chickens you have living on your property?

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks, I'll give that a try first.

Most of the time bums don't need cleaning fortunately. It's not a pleasant job. I am quite fussy about it, particularly in warm weather because of the risk of fly strike. Flies love a bit of damp shite.