Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[C Siena]

We have a 10" x 2" magnet that came on a long handle 3.5'. It has been handy many times.

 

[Shadrach]

We have a 10" x 2" magnet that came on a long handle 3.5'. It has been handy many times.

I think these scissors were austenitic which isn't magnetic.

 

[Shadrach]

This afternoon was bitter. Strong winds, hail, cold rain. We did get out but I didn't want to take my hands out of my pockets to take pictures. It got down to 3C, with wind chill, -2C.
Mow's in the nest box behind Sylph and Glais? Eating of course.

 

[Vulpes vulpes]

I'm not sure what will happen to the breeders chickens. My friend will take some I know, but the rest...

The field coop looks to have some space...

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I've looked and I haven't found them.
I'll get another pair but finding good quality ones isn't easy.

Do you have access to a tool library? Sometimes they have metal detectors.

 

[BDutch]

The field coop looks to have some space...

There is more to it. Quarantining for example. I would rather dream of something else happening this spring. . With Glais, upcoming chicks will have better genes.

 

[Canadian Wind]

This afternoon was bitter. Strong winds, hail, cold rain. We did get out but I didn't want to take my hands out of my pockets to take pictures. It got down to 3C, with wind chill, -2C.

Sounds like you moved *here*! That's the same weather I had today!

 

[Shadrach]

The field coop looks to have some space...

It's looked kind of empty since Henry died. He had that way of seeming to fill the coop. Glais hasn't filled out yet. Even so, I'm not expecting him to be Henry's weight. You could hear plants give a sigh of relief when Henry took his weight off them.

Odd perspectives.
The coop is bigger than it looks. I bought it for that reason and the fact it has a curved roof which helps a lot when it comes to windy locations.
Looking at this picture I would have said that looked like an acceptable amount of space for the number of chickens, providing they have a decent sized run access from dawn til dusk. Looks okay if cleaned daily.

This is the same coop with just Henry in it.

 

[Shadrach]

Do you have access to a tool library? Sometimes they have metal detectors.

Honestly, if they turn up that's great but if I can find the right pair they'll cost under £10. I mainly annoyed with myself because I know if I want things I've put in my pockets to be there later, I need to fasten the pocket shut. All the pockets on my field coat fasten shut.

 

[Shadrach]

There is more to it. Quarantining for example. I would rather dream of something else happening this spring. . With Glais, upcoming chicks will have better genes.

If only I saw it as being that simple.
Henry's genes were fine. He lived longer than most roosters and cockerels and, by the time I got to know him, had settled into being a very stable easy going chap.
Glais has more going on in the intelligence department I think. What that translates to when he's matured would be interesting to see. I can see his brain soaking in stuff. It's a bit unnerving at times. I've been doing something other than watching them and can feel I'm being watched and sure enough, Glais is standing a few metres away intently watching what I do.

I've found there are three states that can radically change how a rooster reacts to you: in their coop, in their run and free ranging. It's in their coop state that has given me the most problems in the past. Glais looked a bit too nervous when I was lent into the coop, or when I've had to get in it to do something. This was where Mow was invaluable. Glais, while not loved up with Mow worked out very quickly that Mow knew stuff and Sylph looked up to Mow. Mow is unbothered by me in the coop. She'll come into roost while I'm cleaning or working. From the point where I thought Glais was nervous (don't want nervous cockerels in a confined space with you) I spent more attention on Mow at roost time. I would crop check her making sure Glais was watching, stroke her back, lift her tail feathers and even move her on the roost. Mow doesn't fuss and Glais sees this. I can do the same with Sylph but she's a fidget and she knows she's Glais's hen and he might not approve of her letting me fuss over her.
(Yes, I do think they think of these things.)