Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[fuzzi]

I have read that the shape of Sussex chickens resembles a "brick".

Claudia demonstrating that fact...

The chicks are not just reaching adult size, they're also becoming less shy.

Claudia, Jacob, Lois

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I have read that the shape of Sussex chickens resembles a "brick".

Claudia demonstrating that fact...
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The chicks are not just reaching adult size, they're also becoming less shy.
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Claudia, Jacob, Lois

Tessa resembles a small tank that inexplicably has skinny white legs under it, especially when viewed from her ample rear.

 

[kattabelly]

I have read that the shape of Sussex chickens resembles a "brick".

Bricks wearing fluffy bloomers

"What did you just call me?"

 

[no fly zone]

What Glais did find was a mushroom and he ate some of it. If he's sick or dead tomorrow that will be why.
I don't know much about mushrooms and there are a few of these growing. Apparently there are two similar looking types, one is poisonous the other isn't. This isn't the type that Glais ate some of. By the time I got to what he did try it was unrecognizable for identification.
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He should be just fine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvopluteus_gloiocephalus

 

[Vulpes vulpes]

Hello all, I've not been contributing much in this thread for the past few days, but I swear I've got a good reason! I have been freshly reinvigorated in my efforts to get through this entire thread. Between classes and work, I've read 400 pages since Tuesday

It's been hard work, but the veterans of thus thread aren't wrong about all the useful information therein. My hoard of bookmarks has grown exponentially. This much population growth can't be good for the rest of the bookmark bar ecosystem, so I may have to reintroduce extirpated predators back into my bookmarks to restore balance. But the bookmark farmers living in my bookmark bar will probably be very unhappy with this idea, meaning we'll have to collaborate on a plan for bookmark predator management. Much to think about.

 

[Vulpes vulpes]

Metaposting and stupid jokes tax: how many chickens are in these pictures?

 

[Perris]

Escaping from confinement in a safe domestic setting is not representative of the behaviour of a wild animal. That's a very vulnerable position to be in for a significant time. I can imagine a wild animal doing it to try to escape something, but not for the chance of a single meal.

And if there was one of my chickens, at least, confined on the other side of the door, I think the protruding nose/ eyes/ face would get bloodied in short order, and it would retire, thinking continuation too risky.

 

[Perris]

Metaposting and stupid jokes tax: how many chickens are in these pictures?
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I see three. How many really?

 

[Perris]

In the last week my flock has lost 6 members; 1 to Shad, 4 to someone else, and 1 to (I think) an adenovirus that caused the weirdly named inclusion body hepatitis (my deduction from necropsy; not lab or vet verified). I have been watching the 30 remaining for signs of the impact this cull might have had, expecting something significant at least from the disappearance - after seeing me catching them and take them indoors - of three mature hens, if not from the capture and disappearance also of two cockerels or the one who died overnight in a coop (which must have been witnessed by some).

There has been almost none. I'm still not sure what to make of it. I am working with an idea that the flock had exceeded a natural maximum size (recall the reading on RJF flock sizes and structures) and either they're not really registering that some are missing, or they think it's natural, like youngsters fledging the nest to make a life for themselves elsewhere. Other ideas welcome.

 

[Vulpes vulpes]

I see three. How many really?

I believe only three are visible in the photos, but there were four or five in the tree.

Douglas firs make good roosting, I think. They provide good, dense, evergreen shelter from wind, rain, and owls. Once they hit 30 or 40 years old, their lowest branches could be 10-15 feet up. I don't know if a raccoon can climb vertical up a tree trunk, but I haven't seen it.

Of course, a Doug fir in the middle of the forest won't provide nearly as much protection from the elements, as they kill off lower branches if they don't get sunlight, but one on the forest edge or in a clearing likely makes good sleeping for treehuggers. When I was a kid we had a couple ameraucanas that went half feral and roosted 60+ feet up those trees.