Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[joletabey]

OK, here is little Ultrasuede- sorry for the red light, but Buckshot is getting to the point where I am afraid he will fly out!

 

[speckledhen]

That red light sure mucks it up, doesn't it? I always use a 125 watt clear because I don't like the red cast.

That Kira is a mess! She is super-sweet, just like all the Delaware girls, but she is just a pain in the comb and wattles to poor Ike. He sat in my lap for ages while we tried to clean him up and stop the bleeding. He is just a great rooster, temperament-wise. Not many roosters would submit to all that attention without much struggling.

 

[joletabey]

Why do you think she does that to Isaac? Just because she can? She is the one that had the bigger eggs, right?
Isaac really is a special Roo, I hope I get one like him in temperament as well - so far four or five of the babies line up to have their little chests rubbed- and any that I pick up will stand on my knee- they don't like the pick up part, but mostly do well with a little cuddle- except for Ultrasuede- he/she just complains, complains, complains.

I think I am going to change one of the brooder lights to a natural light, there are a few of the babies that seem to prefer it- and it will help get them ready for the real world in a few weeks. Then I can also get better pictures.

 

[Laney]

I'm very sad. Today, we were on our way home from the hairdresser and bookstore. As we were coming up the drive, Lucky the chicken killer ran out of the garage to meet us. Halfway there she stopped and turned toward the pasture. She took off before we could even react. Emily and Helen were out of the pasture. I hit the button and my daughter jumped out of the car and ran. Helen flew back into the pasture....Emily ran for it.

My daughter was not in time. We watched Lucky shake the life out of Emily and then my 13 year old daughter did a flying tackle and took the dog down. The poor child lost her shoes halfway to the dog, and all she can say is she didn't run fast enough. The sad thing is, it was probably a situation of both animals coming to greet us.

We will be making a "safe zone" for the chickens outside the pasture that the big dogs can't get into. Mostly it will be a place for them to run to if they are too "stupid" or panicked to fly to give us enough time to get there.

My mother in law is beside herself again. She wants to know where to get me another Delaware. I know if I asked her to she'd put the dog down, but I can't ask that of her.

I don't really know what to do. Clip wings? It feels inhumane to me. They have a safe zone, the dogs can not get into the pasture. The chickens are only at risk IF they fly out and do not fly back in. Helen flew back in... Emily ran away and pinned herself against the fence. I am heartbroken. I just love how happy and free they all are.

Here is the last photo of Emily, taken two days ago...

Laney

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh, Laney, that is horrible! I can't imagine how traumatic that is for your poor daughter!

In my opinion, wing clipping is not at all inhumane. How could it be, if it will save their life? I don't see that you have any alternative .... except to get rid of the dog??? Really, you must do something to protect them.

I am so sorry for your loss, and for the trauma of witnessing such an event. My sympathies.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Laney, that is terrible. I know how you feel, I have a Blue Heeler who is a chicken killer, and a million coyotes and hawks. I have to restrict my chickens to tractors and me bringing them 5-Gallon Buckets full of grass

I'm sorry for your loss, its terrible to lose a bird to anything.

Joletabey! I love you too! In the same sense, of course, lol! I'm glad we could be of service

And Superchick and Ultrasuede are cuties, along with the other lil' Delaware pictured there

 

[speckledhen]

Laney, I'm heartbroken for you! That must have been terrible for your daughter. If you clip their wings, that would probably solve the issue and it doesn't hurt them at all. I recently clipped my BR pullet's wings because she was a real escape artist and would get out while we weren't home, not safe at all.

Beth, that screaming thing is SO Orp-ish! They are little drama queens, every one of them. Yes, Kira has the jumbo eggs since she is a year and a half old already. She is just a nitpicky woman, I guess. And she notices every blessed thing! Poor Ike will have to live alone for a few days till his wounds are better. I'll have to let them freerange longer periods so they will be occupied and less prone to picking at their man, but Kira is the real culprit. Hey, want a Delaware hen?

If she can't behave herself, she may find herself elsewhere.

 

[Laney]

Could she come with her wings preclipped? We free range all the time here... 24/7 so she would never be bored. We don't tend to have a hawk problem because they are in with the goats.... I think they must run under or near the goats if they see a hawk? Or under one of the many shelters in the pasture? They only have problems out of the pasture.

So you tell her if she doesn't leave Ike alone, she's headed north LOL... and she'll have to deal with Mr. Joe Biden as her main man!

ROFL.

Laney

 

[speckledhen]

Hahaha, I'll tell her! Yep, if she goes to live with you, she can have her wings clipped, though, I've never had an issue with Kira getting out of a fence so far.

 

[joletabey]

Laney,
Please tell your daughter I think she is one awesome,gutsy woman to think that fast and go after the dog that fast- that effort makes her a heroine in my eyes - I am sorry she couldn't get there in time, Emily was a beautiful bird, but my gosh! What a kid! I would be proud if she were mine!

And Laney, remember I will not be able to keep all 16 of my Dels; at this point I only have a coop for 12 at the max, so there are some Delawares right here in NC for you. . . . . . and I agree with Kathy- wing clip if that's what it takes!

Delawaregirl - thank you again! And thanks for the clue in on Orps being screamers, Cyn, I was wondering if I had done something really insulting to him/her!