She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[RubyNala97]

Oh yeah, I had a question. My chickens are really loving free ranging now. I was only doing it once in a while as a treat and now they wait by the door to the run! Anyway, while they were out today, 2 pullets (*i think*) were fighting. They were chest bumping each other and one was really antagonizing the other. She just kept going head to head with her and trying to act taller then her. Is this normal behavior? Do females do this? I've been sure this one doing it was a girl for a few months now. But they are silkies, so it's hard to tell.

 

[meganhundley]

I'm dying to check out the auction around here. I say around here but it's about an hour and a half away. My neighbor goes every month and comes back with something or multiple somethings. He did pick up 6 beautiful Mille fleurs last month. I was pretty surprised. This month, the past weekend, he picked up 3 young frizzles. I walk over to his place and he wanted to show them to me. He had them in a cage. So we walk over and one was already dead!! Poor thing. Then he opens the cage and just lets the other 2 jump out to go mix with his whole flock. I took the opportunity to ask him if he was scared that the dead one had something and now the other 2 would infect his flock. He says "yeah, that's why I kept them in a cage for 24 hours". His place is so dirty and unsanitary anyway and it's really none of my business. But I just don't get some people that really do like animals but don't treat them right. Bio security is really important especially with the ai now, not to mention all the other diseases.
How long ago did she hatch? I know my chicks cry a lot right after hatch but then settle down and go into post hatch coma. Lol. Someone on this thread said that incessant crying can mean something. I think it was after one of chicapee's chicks was doing that. Remember, Ravyn?

Mine normally do that too but within 30 minutes or so they're fine but she's been doing this for 5 hours now. Well, she was doing it til I picked her up, I've been holding her ever since. I'd say she cried for about 4 hours straight.

 

[Pyxis]

Oh yeah, I had a question. My chickens are really loving free ranging now. I was only doing it once in a while as a treat and now they wait by the door to the run! Anyway, while they were out today, 2 pullets (*i think*) were fighting. They were chest bumping each other and one was really antagonizing the other. She just kept going head to head with her and trying to act taller then her. Is this normal behavior? Do females do this? I've been sure this one doing it was a girl for a few months now. But they are silkies, so it's hard to tell.

Females do fight for dominance in the pecking order. How old are they? If you post pictures we could try to confirm that they're pullets for you. Silkies are little stinkers when it comes to sexing.

 

[Ren2014]

Oh yeah, I had a question. My chickens are really loving free ranging now. I was only doing it once in a while as a treat and now they wait by the door to the run! Anyway, while they were out today, 2 pullets (*i think*) were fighting. They were chest bumping each other and one was really antagonizing the other. She just kept going head to head with her and trying to act taller then her. Is this normal behavior? Do females do this? I've been sure this one doing it was a girl for a few months now. But they are silkies, so it's hard to tell.

My girls do all of the above. It's like a chicken stampede when I open the run door. Sounds like normal behavior.. they're trying to see who is dominant... aka the tallest.

 

[rossfam06]

Oh yeah, I had a question. My chickens are really loving free ranging now. I was only doing it once in a while as a treat and now they wait by the door to the run! Anyway, while they were out today, 2 pullets (*i think*) were fighting. They were chest bumping each other and one was really antagonizing the other. She just kept going head to head with her and trying to act taller then her. Is this normal behavior? Do females do this? I've been sure this one doing it was a girl for a few months now. But they are silkies, so it's hard to tell.

Ruby....I think you have 2 cockerels....that is awfully male like behavior.

My always wait by the Door for me. They know I am A going to let them out or B be bringing them treats. Also when they see me they go bonkers and fly around the run like they are super excited to see me. Lol!!!

 

[kwhites634]

Yes, she's in the brooder with the other chicks, they're all fine but she just cries continuously, then she'll fall asleep and snap back awake and start peeping even louder. It's like she's exhausted but can't sleep. But when she's in my lap she's fine. And all her peeping gets the others started. I wish I had a feather duster, lol. If I can make it through the night tonight I'll get her 1.

Why not punch out a little nest in your pillow for her?

 

[rossfam06]

My girls do all of the above.  It's like a chicken stampede when I open the run door.  Sounds like normal behavior.. they're trying to see who is dominant... aka the tallest.

See that's funny because my dominate hen in one of my pens is a LF SL polish. And she is in there with an EE, RIR, and Barred rock. She is the smallest of all them but she head biotch!

 

[Ren2014]

She's not very energetic but then again she hasn't really slept since she hatched 5 hours ago til now.

I hope she's ok and that you are able to get some sleep

 

[Ravynscroft]

Mmmmmm!!!!! I love Jack. It's by far my fave.
That is why I quarantine for 3 to 4 weeks when getting new birds.
See i really only drink when I post something on here!!! Hahahahaha!!!! But my ultimate favorite is a dirty martini. Cant beat that briney salty drink.

Quarantine still doesn't guarantee health... I will still only ever get birds from reputable sources... too many things that can slip through quarantine with signs... :/

I'm dying to check out the auction around here. I say around here but it's about an hour and a half away. My neighbor goes every month and comes back with something or multiple somethings. He did pick up 6 beautiful Mille fleurs last month. I was pretty surprised. This month, the past weekend, he picked up 3 young frizzles. I walk over to his place and he wanted to show them to me. He had them in a cage. So we walk over and one was already dead!! Poor thing. Then he opens the cage and just lets the other 2 jump out to go mix with his whole flock. I took the opportunity to ask him if he was scared that the dead one had something and now the other 2 would infect his flock. He says "yeah, that's why I kept them in a cage for 24 hours". His place is so dirty and unsanitary anyway and it's really none of my business. But I just don't get some people that really do like animals but don't treat them right. Bio security is really important especially with the ai now, not to mention all the other diseases.
How long ago did she hatch? I know my chicks cry a lot right after hatch but then settle down and go into post hatch coma. Lol. Someone on this thread said that incessant crying can mean something. I think it was after one of chicapee's chicks was doing that. Remember, Ravyn?

Blech, it turns my stomach every time you talk about that guy... and I really worry about something nasty getting brought back to your flock... I worry too much, I know... :/

Constant cheeping *could be* a sign of failure to thrive... that2why Pyxis asked if it was eating, drinking and active other than the noise...

I hope she's ok. I'm just trying to figure out what to do with them tonight, the brooder is in my bedroom floor so I won't get any sleep if she does this all night. And right now I'm just making it worse by holding her. When I put her back she's really going to go off.

Get a small, lightweight cardboard box... like a hamburger helper box... cut out large portion of both of the bigger sides... tape a paper towel over one of the cutouts... lay it down so paper towel area is the top and stick the chicky in it in the brooder... gives it a simple, easy temp "mama cave" to snuggle under...

 

[rossfam06]

@meganhundley

Is the temp in the brooder warm enough??? She maybe chilled and thats one reason she is crying so much in the brooder and not in your hands.