Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[rural mouse]

Mr. Chips was special. And so are all the roosters I've known personally

Your lovely article is a nice reminder of the thoughtful work you did to let Tassels raise a family, which you shared a lot about on this thread.

In some ways, it was similar to how much work I undertook to introduce 3 pullets to bachelor Andre the Giant Chicken...only to have the apple of his eye, Miss Starla, taken by a bobcat before she reached 1 1/2 years old.

I still tear up missing Starla. It's just so sad she's not here. She was a calm, independent, smart chicken, and Peck and Nugs adored her.

Over a year later, I haven't decided whether to try introducing more hens to that group but am leaning towards not. Despite the loss of their north star Starla, Peck and Nugs have maintained their chickeny joie de vivre. And Andre stays busy enough with 2 Adventure Speckles.

It would be different if she were the rooster; I'm so used to rooster-led groups that I know how much I'd miss having one. Best of luck as you think through next steps.

Starla out front.
View attachment 4278863

This pic needs to be entered in the calendar contest if it hasn't already!

 

[Labsandchickens8]

Things they can go in together and buy
Chicken Feed

I was given a big bag of mealworms and some wooden eggs last year.
For my birthday I got an electric fence so chickens have some roaming space.
This Christmas I got a low folding chair for sitting closer to the ground when I sit with them. It's horribly uncomfortable though.
Feed sounds like a good idea

 

[Perris]

it is usual for a cockerel to be so lovely if he has enough space and you treat him with some respect

it is here. And I think respecting him rather than trying to dominate him or be fearful of him is an important factor in developing a healthy relationship with one's cockerels.

A lot of people have made a lot of other good relevant points and observations on possible contributory factors. I think there is a large amount of agreement here, albeit at odds with the received wisdom about roos that one reads elsewhere.

 

[BDutch]

This pic needs to be entered in the calendar contest if it hasn't already!

@HiEverybirdy I love this winter pic!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/4278863/

So you need to post it in the winter photo contest too. If that is allowed.

 

[Shadrach]

if I can even get one person to give their rooster a chance, it would be worth it, right?

Right. That's been the cornerstone of my motivation for all the pro rooster stuff I've posted over the years.

 

[SimpleJenn]

They love this tree. It has a lovely view of the field next door, and has some wind-shade from the garage nearby. Good sunning tree.

 

[fuzzi]

Just because...

Zaccheus and some of his girls.

Flock dynamics: 2 pullets (laying!) and cockerel (all are 6 months old) mingle with the other 4 hens, rooster, but then head to the back corner for some scratching and feeding.

(look at his spurs!)

 

[Shadrach]

Just out of interest, how many of you see the smallest/most junior hens/pullets trying to become the cockerel/roosters favourite?
In my experience it tends not to last. Most roosters once they mature have settled on senior hens as favourites.

 

[Labsandchickens8]

Just because...
View attachment 4279351
Zaccheus and some of his girls.

Flock dynamics: 2 pullets (laying!) and cockerel (all are 6 months old) mingle with the other 4 hens, rooster, but then head to the back corner for some scratching and feeding.

(look at his spurs!)

I would love to see his feathers in the sunlight. I bet they're really iridescent.

 

[fuzzi]

I would love to see his feathers in the sunlight. I bet they're really iridescent.

You can see some green here.