Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[littlecritters]

Warmheart, this hen is lovely. I would suggest trying painless peepers on this gal before you rehome her. I know someone who uses them successfully.

 

[Sallysec]

Advice, ideas, thoughts? This is a bit personal, but I'll share here, hoping for your perspective.

I am legally blind with a fair bit of residual vision left. (I be-bop around with a white cane if I'm on new territory) I do all the normal chicken chores stuff just fine, even caring for the baby chicks I've got in the brooder, who'll be moving outside this weekend.

We've got a gorgeous, stunning Barnevelder who's a bit of a bully to the girl in the pecking order below her, and we have small, young bantams to integrate in the next few weeks. I don't have the visual acuity to see if/when Gertie may possibly harass a bantam chick too much. I am carefully considering re-homing her. This is difficult, because she's such a mellow, quiet, good girl otherwise. Her beautiful eggs are truly copper-shelled. She eats from my hand, amazingly doesn't scratch the lawn much, but is a decent forager otherwise. Anyway, I'm anxious about re-homing her, because she's such a dear, is a good layer, gorgeous, and... I'm worried about other people's "chicken math." I don't want her to end up in an overcrowded pen.

Am I worrying too much? There's no way to know that someone doesn't overcrowd, except to take their word for it.

I want Gertie to be happy! I love her.

She may just not be right for our situation (we need to keep 2 bantams from this hatch, and they won't be separated once integrated)

Gertie in the fall, before she started laying (she started laying in March I think)...

If Gertie is re-homed, we would need a new laying hen. Due to my vision loss, I'd appreciate a mellow, calm hen that ideally would be friendly enough to sometimes enjoy briefly being held and spoiled a bit. So, mellow and friendly. What about a Buff Orpington? Or perhaps a Golden Comet? Would a Buff Orpington chick raised with careful regular handling come to enjoy it occasionally? I have no idea where to find Buff Orpington chicks or Golden Comet chicks just yet. I'm still thinking this through... it's a lot of changes. (we have a tiny, stable flock, and they are family to us

)

Thanks for any input!

Warmheart, thanks for sharing your personal story, and so I will share too. My sister is legally blind and yet she lives a VERY full life but like you she does need help sometimes with some things but basically maintains an active life (a lot of people don't understand that part). She lives with me and my husband and she just got engaged this past January. I fully expect for her to live with me forever and if she eventually wants to venture out I will need to assist her. I love her fiance and he himself is handicapped but is the kindest person I have ever met. I was wondering if your sure she will bully the bantam? I know a few people that tell me their bantams think they are the biggest girl in the flock and are very happy with the LF. Gertie is a beautiful girl and I wouldn't worry until you have a problem for sure. Also try some of the tricks on here that people use to combine flocks or add new birds. I know Heather recommended that I do it at night while everyone is roosting so that they don't notice until they wake up. I personally have kept everyone separate for quarantine and now because two of the girls had a bad interaction so I will wait. Eventually we have plans for a chicken yard with two larger coops at each end so if the girls hate each other they will still be able to be kept separate. I know that isn't in your plans but it is my situation and I like it. Both flocks are totally different and I love to visit with each. I am lucky enough to have enough space that way and a husband who hasn't killed me for all the weird chicken tasks/builds I give him. I wish you the best of luck on whatever comes of the situation.



As for my egg eating little brat Mary.....she pecked open all the easter eggs and got sand...

Today I begin mustard if I catch her in the nest box. I already got an egg this morning before it got eaten and the curtain has helped a little I think. I may need a darker fabric though because this morning I could still see light in the box pretty bright. I also am letting them free range all day today. My husband is working in the yard today before we head out of town for the wedding in Indiana.

I have two different people coming to check on the chickens and my husband is setting up some extra space for them to use without being free while we are away. I also am setting up an extra nipple waterer (first time building one of these so

). I am so worried about them when I am away its like I am leaving my babies . I also am thinking about picking up a flock block . Anyone with experience to share about these? I don't like the idea of them eating 'junk food' but who am I kidding, this morning one of the girls took my yogurt cup right from my chair while I was giving treats to the other flock.

 

[Harborview Hens]

Warmheart,

Your Gertie is so beautiful. Sorry to hear about the squabbles. Unfortunately, I am not able to solve your problem but can give you my take on my Buff Orpington. I got mine when she was 6 weeks old and handled her and my 4 others right from the beginning. She is one of the sweetest in my tiny flock and they all eat out of hands big and small and allow themselves to be picked up. I have 7 grandkids and they are all able to be with them. She is pretty much their favorite.

My Buff Orp sometimes gets pushed around by my Speckled Sussex but only if she finds a big worm and Poppy want to take it from her. One never knows. Flock dynamics can change a sweetie into a bully and visa versa. One of the reason I picked a Buff Orp is because of their personality and claims of being docile within a flock. I wish you luck on your endeavors and hope that you find a happy solution.

 

[Harborview Hens]

I give mine a piece of a flock block when I know that they are going to be cooped up all day. I use a serrated knife to chop it into thirds and give them a chunk at a time. It provides something different to do and maybe distracts them from their boredom.

 

[Harborview Hens]

Warmheart, this hen is lovely. I would suggest trying painless peepers on this gal before you rehome her. I know someone who uses them successfully.

painless peeper???

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Warm heart-what a GORGEOUS girl! Her colors are out of this world! I can't help you with the rehome either-my coop dynamics are slowly changing due to my desire to integrate my silkies with the big girls to free range during the day. (today went very nicely-except Merriweather the Meanie) Did you try separating her from the others for a few days, just to bring her down a notch? This worked with my showgirl, Periscope, but Silkies may be different.

I can however tell you about my BO, Lovey. Without a doubt everyone's favorite! She's HUGE(easily a 9 pounder), fluffy, and while not demanding of attention, she does look for lap time, enjoys strokes, and even while broody-doesn't try to bite, just growls but allows you to do whatever you like. All bark! She's calm, peaceful, never bothers any of the smaller chickens, and I adore her. BO's do tend to get broody, so you should decide if that's something that would bother you, or not. Chickens don't lay while broody either, if you're looking for eggs. The only reason I don't have more BO's is the fact that I really DO want eggs, and what would happen if I had a bunch of broody's? I'd have to get eggs or chicks for them...yeah, you see where that could go?

LittleCritters, I gotta ask-What the heck is a painless peeper? (all sorts of things are running through my mind!)

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Warmheart, you might also consider a BR. Mine are fabulous, very friendly, and great layers. Totally not broody either!

 

[mammo6]

Goldeneggtees, those are some gorgeous colors, love golden laced and splash! I'm looking forward to pictures.

Mammo, I'm not sure what that is, but do the girls seem healthy to you? Eating and drinking okay? Poos normal? 

Yes Warmheart, everything seems fine. When they free range she's scratching and pecking, poop normal.

 

[JerseyHen]

She is very pretty.

There will always be a head hen. I have found that my head hen (who is a demon) only seems to harass the next few in line. The lower ranks stay well out of her way. That isn't to say there are no squabbles, but they are fewer and fewer once the pecking order is reestablished. I have a few bantams and smaller hens and she ignores them completely. Consider a long introduction time with the new ones in a cage in the coop for several days before letting them with the flock.

 

[Sallysec]

I have heard of pinless peepers...http://curbstonevalley.com/blog/?p=7756