Stray Hen

[StrayHen]

I'm surprised that she was out and about at Midnite. Usually they are out of sight and up high by dark.

Yes, we think that this one is very high spirited. She stands in line to eat the cat food after the other cats, but she chases the kitten away and eats first (there's a pecking order in the animal kingdom.) She runs around at midnight making loud noise, we're constantly surprised she's survived this long.

 

[StrayHen]

Mr. Strayhen. My frustration is simple and I will leave it in Gods hands. Learn how to take care of the hen first. Before you go much further (baby chicks). Her basic needs. A quality chicken feed. Clean fresh water. Shelter. I’m frustrated because I believe you were overwhelmed with information about her brooding eggs. In this case the Chicken came before the egg. Learn to swim before you jump into the lake. Who knows this could lead you down a road that is the start of being the best chicken keeper ever and you might develop a passion. My best wishes for you and the little hen.

Thank you. We kindly wish the eggs aren't fertile so we don't have to deal with it, but we kindly also wish there are chicks. We'll see what happens!

 

[StrayHen]

https://wholefully.com/how-to-start-raising-backyard-chickens-in-7-simple-steps/

https://modernfarmer.com/2014/07/raising-backyard-chickens-dummies/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/onceam...-real/pros-and-cons-of-backyard-chickens/amp/

This one's the best:
https://www.almanac.com/blog/home-health/chickens/raising-chickens-101-how-get-started

Thanks for all the links, I'll look at them later.

 

[StrayHen]

How many eggs is your stray hen sitting on?

There was just 1 the night before she became broody. After that I don't know how many she laid. Should I pick her up and check?

Also are you gonna name your girl?

My wife wants to but we haven't thought of a name yet.

 

[StrayHen]

That chicken looks like a game chicken, and is most likely ferral.

I looked up game chicken, which says they like to roost on tree. That sounds exactly right as I have followed her one evening and saw her jump up to a tree branch around midnight.

 

[StrayHen]

I'm surprised that she was out and about at Midnite. Usually they are out of sight and up high by dark.

Yes, we've seen/heard her running around a few times really late at night, making lots of noise. Maybe she was being chased? So far she's managed to survive.

 

[StrayHen]

Mr. Strayhen. My frustration is simple and I will leave it in Gods hands. Learn how to take care of the hen first. Before you go much further (baby chicks). Her basic needs. A quality chicken feed. Clean fresh water. Shelter. I’m frustrated because I believe you were overwhelmed with information about her brooding eggs. In this case the Chicken came before the egg. Learn to swim before you jump into the lake. Who knows this could lead you down a road that is the start of being the best chicken keeper ever and you might develop a passion. My best wishes for you and the little hen.

thank you.

 

[llombardo]

Yes, we've seen/heard her running around a few times really late at night, making lots of noise. Maybe she was being chased? So far she's managed to survive.

I would say yes she was being chased. I had a stray rooster. He went up the tree at dusk and didn't move until the sun was up. I used to check on him in the middle of the night. Always the same spot.

 

[townchicks]

If you have skunks, you have raccoons. In LA, you also have coyotes. Yes you do, even if you don't see them. That hen is at great risk setting on the ground in your yard. Please move her to a safe place, in the garage or even in your house, while you research care and secure coop building. If you can't, and it sounds like you are really busy, do the right thing and take her to the animal shelter or a rescue. And stop feeding the cats outside, that draws skunks and raccoons.

 

[Fishkeeper]

An "anteater" was probably a skunk. I don't think you have armadillos in LA, and I know you don't have actual anteaters.

I'd suggest catching the hen now. Either keep her or take her to an animal shelter.

And I second the thing about not feeding the cats. It can spread disease among the cats to have them grouped up together like that, plus the extra bit of food can mean they end up having more babies, and attracts predators to you and then that could also spread disease. If you really want to help them, they could probably use shade and water more than food, or you could see if there's a TNR (trap-neuter-release) program in the area.