Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[rural mouse]

Speaking of butts He's been taking the Nest Finder part of his job very seriously but hasn't quite worked out that no one can lay in the amazing spot he's "found" until he shifts his own backside out of the way.
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He's working on it and the whole process is lovely to watch

 

[kattabelly]

He's working on it and the whole process is lovely to watch

I know, and it is but I was about ready to murder him earlier! Broody butt laid her first egg since having the chicks today, so I had him growling and cackling away in the only nest box most of them will consider using; her standing outside the nest, alternately bagawking about not being able to get in to lay and stressing out because the chicks were outside the coop peeping frantically for their mum; Bertha standing at the door scaring the chicks and generally winding everyone up even more; another girl outside shouting that she also wanted to lay an egg; other pullets that aren't laying yet popping in to see what he was talking about and generally getting in everyone's way... Total chaos!

 

[Labsandchickens8]

Oh, another update: I cooked it on convection roast setting, 350°F, lower rack, 12 lbs., 2 hrs 20 min. Worked out to ~12 minutes per pound. No basting, no changing of temps. The thawing started Saturday morning, brining was Wednesday morning (next time I’ll start this all one day sooner), and literally all I did on Thursday was to stick it in the oven at 1:15. #NeverGoingBack

Edit: multiple tax pics due

I have also found that keeping it tightly covered helps seal the juices in and keeps it moist. I only uncover for the last 39 minutes if I want it to brown more, but that's never been necessary actually.

 

[SimpleJenn]

My splash copper marans boy is coloring up very nicely. Kiddo named him Cowspots

 

[Shadrach]

One and a half hours this afternoon. 10C max, light winds, cloudy and grey.
I had to practically drag them out from under the coop. I don't know what's going on but something is not right. I would need to spend a lot more time at the field to work out what the problem is and currently I have other family commitments that mean chicken time is limited.
Once out with me herding we got an hour on the field.

Christmas, well it's carry on regardless and hope those that are sick can cope if they're not contagious, and if they are, we'll deliver dinner and presents. I'm the only one still standing so to speak. Eldest isn't sick but naturally feeling under pressure with her husbands stroke. So that makes six out of eight sick.

My friend with the Light Sussex chickens has knows about a carol service for want of a better description being held in a pub! He's got a couple of spare tickets and has to pass through Bristol to get to the pub. He offered to pick me up on route so I may go to that with another friend who is coming for dinner on Christmas Eve.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I need rooster integrating advice…again. I posted on another thread so forgive me for the overlap. I lost my good boy rooster a couple weeks ago and picked up a lovely little cockerel who is doing a great job. I have almost 20 hens now and want a back up rooster so I am going to get one from the same people I got my original good boy from. My cockerel sleeps in the coop and hasn’t even tried to mount the hens that I’ve seen. The new guy will want to sleep out. If I want the new rooster to be the dominant rooster should I put the cockerel in a see-no-touch situation for a while or should I just throw the big guy out with everybody to see how it goes? I’m perfectly fine with them splitting into two flocks but curious what the best way to go about introducing the new guy is if I want him to be dominant. The cockerel is the size of the hens so I imagine that will play a role but he’s also got jungle fowl in his blood so I don’t want a big fight on my hands if I can help it. Any advice appreciated

 

[BDutch]

Christmas, well it's carry on regardless

Hope a soon or at least a good recovery for everyone. This is more important than a Christmas gathering.

And glad to hear you could make an arrangement with friends this year.

 

[BDutch]

I need rooster integrating advice…again. I posted on another thread so forgive me for the overlap. I lost my good boy rooster a couple weeks ago and picked up a lovely little cockerel who is doing a great job. I have almost 20 hens now and want a back up rooster so I am going to get one from the same people I got my original good boy from. My cockerel sleeps in the coop and hasn’t even tried to mount the hens that I’ve seen. The new guy will want to sleep out. If I want the new rooster to be the dominant rooster should I put the cockerel in a see-no-touch situation for a while or should I just throw the big guy out with everybody to see how it goes? I’m perfectly fine with them splitting into two flocks but curious what the best way to go about introducing the new guy is if I want him to be dominant. The cockerel is the size of the hens so I imagine that will play a role but he’s also got jungle fowl in his blood so I don’t want a big fight on my hands if I can help it. Any advice appreciated

I can hardly give any advice on keeping 2 cockerels/roosters. Only know this often gets problematic if you keep them together in one enclosure.
Why keep a backup rooster? I wouldn’t choose that option. If something happens with your only rooster, it’s never hard to get a new cockerel. Getting a good older rooster with adult manners is a tougher nut to crack.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Only know this often gets problematic if you keep them together in one enclosure.

Not planning on keeping them in the same enclosure at all. The new one will be 100% free range and I need a back up because I think transitioning to a rooster they know if I lose one will be easier than bringing in a strange one again. Once they start brooding and raising their own this won’t be an issue but they run amok during the day so a rooster is a must

 

[Perris]

RIP Chris Rea