Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Hehe yes Red is a huge clutz and just learning, and Betsy is the favorite.. she is constantly squatting in fornt of him. 1 roo, 5 hens. all are 7 months. Her back looks fine, but she is dropping feathers everywhere, the inside of the coop looks like a chicken exploded

i noticed Spike. and Grace has the same neck thing going on. So its just the wyandottes.

At that age they are just sorting things out...I've watched older roosters grab cockerells necks too. The poor little stag protests mightily and runs off, leaving a few feathers behind...making a mistake there roos! I guess most of mine leave their feathers outside, I do find alot where they sit and preen. I often thought my hens went broody so often to give their feathers a break. Interesting thing, I've noticed with all game cocks now, the hens don't look ratty feathered. Lighter birds I think...more graceful? Haha confused though...is spike a rooster?

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Happy birthday cheeka! Going to be great weather for you today! (I ordered it special for ya!) I know what you mean about the dogs and owners, I don't know how they can stand that yapping! Its the same as parents who just ignore their children and let everyone else listen to it. Max had a problem bark as a puppy, he was the only one...I had to stay on top of it for quite awhile. Of course he is supposed to warn...but I taught him to do a little woof and growl, not a bark that makes you drop your coffee. They are perfectly capable of modifying their behavior. His last bad habit will be fixed on tie out...he would bark nonstop almost....who ever invented the shock collar is a genius. Now, instead of chasing cars, he runs to me, skids to a stop, plants his butt, and slaps a muddy paw on top of my suede slippers. Good dog!! (What else can you say)? Some dogs need more attention I guess. At long last I have all three trustworthy enough to let out at the same time, all dogs need alot of exercise as puppies and they sure wear each other out, instead of me!

 

[cheeka]

ACW, your weather order for today... just perfect! i'm out with the gang, but popped on to say thanks for the extra birthday greetings and share the great news ~ the PO gave me the best birthday gift I could have asked for! they managed to recruit and HIRE FOUR NEW EXPRESS Carriers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to train them all... 2 start this Sunday, the other 2 start next Sunday, then we go into full rotation!! even if 2 of them decide it's not for them and quit, we'll still have enough to keep a rotation going and have scheduled days OFF!! it's been so long... I don't know what I'll do first! sleep in? nah... take a long relaxing steamy bath... yep! leisurely drink my coffee and play with the pets and the chickens?? YOU KNOW IT!! I'm so stoked to think that in 3 weeks, I might get one of those days off... it might take 4 weeks... but wow! it's out there, I can feel it!
I've got to do some housework, later... I have company coming to help me celebrate this evening, and the house is kinda trashed, but that's what happens when it's work work work... I can't contain myself! I'm just soooooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!

 

[cheeka]

such a day! so beautiful out, we stayed out til 4... but the girls were taking turns in the nest box, I knew Rose was in there, then I couldn't find Betty. She was in there with Rose. Then I couldn't find Isis. She was trying to squeeze in with the other 2. I moved the nest box from the apple coop over into the store bought coop, and no one wanted it. they fit. Then I heard it. I finally heard it. they were making purring/growling sounds in the box... and then! there was Rose, out in the yard, ba ba ba bagawk'ing! The Egg Song! Royce came running over and made a similar song with her, celebrating her achievement! One by one, I heard them finish and rejoice like Peacocks! fun. really fun.
the younger boys are maturing quickly. Archie is quite amazing. great roo. very serious about protecting the flock, he's established himself with Royce. Si is a beautiful boy, but he is a silly bird. it's all about chasing the older girls around and having Royce knock him back. over and over and over. he does behave while in the enclosure, it's out in the yard that he mooks around. soooo, with Archie moving up the social ladder... he took it upon himself to do the knocking back today, and let Royce chill with his ladies. I broke them up twice, Archie had a beakfull of Si's hackle feathers...it was easy. just pinned them both down, they were panting, got a good look at the insides of their beaks and their little pointy tongues! I kept an eye on them, and they did squabble here and there, worked it out themselves. both boys each sporting slightly bloodied combs. Roosting side by side right now. I have the portable run ready to use at a moments notice... was hoping to make it to Spring before having to make separate living facilities, I could use it for the chicks once they are feathered. but I have options... it was good to see them work it out, and while tough for Si to accept that he isn't dominant over Archie anymore... he's got it good here, some of the girls do like him and seek him out behind Royce's back, and his new harem will be here so soon! and they'll be ready for him by April, at 5 months old...
FIVE

FIVE... Today we laid Five!!!!! only Wilma didn't lay today

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Hey Cheeka, so glad you had a nice day today! Nothing like communing with the fluffers to wash away worldly woes. I love watching the intricacies of chicken social psychology too.

Growing up, we always had chickens, but they did their own thing, mostly scratching in the horse paddocks. We just fed them, locked them up at night, and collected the eggs. (Well, I'm sure my Mom paid a bit more attention.) But until living so close to them, I never appreciated the individual personalities.

Having so many boys is a little tricky now, but I'll bet it will make introducing the new pullets easier next spring. Having an all girl mob, I've seen they can be pretty tough on the lower ranks. I think the roosters help dissipate some of the peckishness, so your extra roos will make the transition easier. This week my very aggressive white Leghorn is in reeducation camp, spending a little solitary time in a pen in the garage and a small pen outside away from the rest of the mob. Pecking order is still being enforced by the others, but with much less intensity. The funny thing is is that Biscuit, the WL, is so calm and sweet by herself, but with the flock, she has taken on the role of enforcer. We'll see if this time out makes any difference.

Such good news about the 4 new hires! That should make work more enjoyable and not such a grind.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

At that age they are just sorting things out...I've watched older roosters grab cockerells necks too. The poor little stag protests mightily and runs off, leaving a few feathers behind...making a mistake there roos! I guess most of mine leave their feathers outside, I do find alot where they sit and preen. I often thought my hens went broody so often to give their feathers a break. Interesting thing, I've noticed with all game cocks now, the hens don't look ratty feathered. Lighter birds I think...more graceful? Haha confused though...is spike a rooster?

No, spike is THE EVIL DEVIL no mercy Wyandotte hen that lurks the shadows.. she is my "Roger" heehee! But also a lover girl when she knows she pushed mommy to the stew pot.. she is a mind reader.. She is the only one with the single comb, the rest of them have the rose combs. Odd, i still think the RLW chickens are a mix.
Red has tried it all, even the geese. (BAD idea with the big G around) And is fully conviced little Quasey the pearl guinea is his mate for life! Betsy is his favorite girl tho. I put an apron on her today, just to be safe. She has lost every one of her tailfeathers today. She looks horrible!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

CHEEKA HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I think i forgot to sat it yesterday... gees i am getting an old brain!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

ACW, your weather order for today... just perfect! i'm out with the gang, but popped on to say thanks for the extra birthday greetings and share the great news ~ the PO gave me the best birthday gift I could have asked for! they managed to recruit and HIRE FOUR NEW EXPRESS Carriers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to train them all... 2 start this Sunday, the other 2 start next Sunday, then we go into full rotation!! even if 2 of them decide it's not for them and quit, we'll still have enough to keep a rotation going and have scheduled days OFF!! it's been so long... I don't know what I'll do first! sleep in? nah... take a long relaxing steamy bath... yep! leisurely drink my coffee and play with the pets and the chickens?? YOU KNOW IT!! I'm so stoked to think that in 3 weeks, I might get one of those days off... it might take 4 weeks... but wow! it's out there, I can feel it!
I've got to do some housework, later... I have company coming to help me celebrate this evening, and the house is kinda trashed, but that's what happens when it's work work work... I can't contain myself! I'm just soooooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!

OMgosh awesome! Thats so good to hear!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Yeah, happy Birthday! I believe have one chicken that always lays double yolkers. She doesn't lay every day, but I get at least one a week now

Oooooo i hope i find that someday, so awesome for you!

 

[cheeka]

good morning everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!

really hoping today will be an light work day and that I can get home early... my BH arrived at 4 in the afternoon ~ I didn't expect to see him with hunting... he totally surprised me, I was doing dishes, didn't hear a thing... next thing I know... he's behind me, laughing... he caught me talking to myself... grumbling really... I hate doing dishes. He brought up steaks, sweet potatoes, salad fixin's ~ wouldn't let me lift a finger to help make supper! He also brought a beautiful turkey, fully cooked for whenever I get home from work today! and all the ingredients to make a GF stuffing. I got Authentic Muck Boots (for ladies

) ~ they are super nice! grey with purple paisley swirls... he knows I will go out in the snow in my ancient (yet still brand new looking) Sorrels, without tying them up, get snow in my boots, on my pants... and track it through the house on my return... these new boots are so great! no laces, slip right on and off, and incredibly heavy duty for such a light weight boot! the Sorrels are fab, I've had them for 26 years already, but they weigh a ton. I used to wear them for work anyway, but they are so clunky, it's hard to drive wearing them... I ended up getting LLBean "stabilicers" to strap on my work boots instead. those are the bomb! the top of the line model has a thick sole, with machine screw cleats, and heavy duty velcro straps. anyway... venturing out to the chickens will be a breeze with the new Mucks!