Théo and the chickens des Sauches

[Perris]

Amazing that he's still fighting considering all he's been through in a short time

We're now thinking it's because he was going down with this that Killay made his move when he did, and why it was all over so quickly and without any injuries for either of them, and why all 3 other roos were so keen to drive him away - they perceived a threat to the health of the whole flock (the virus is shed in poop for a while, which is another reason he's indoors).

it went off very well with sunflower oil

I have not heard of this technique before; can you elaborate please?

Found the first leghorn outdoor secret nest by luck with four eggs.

yay! well done you. I miss most of them until they're old and stained. So your new girls have started laying

Merle eats the linden tree flowers! It's swarming with bees and all kind of insects it makes a constant buzzing noise from dawn to evening!

Is it the small leaved lime? I thought the other types were toxic to bees.

 

[ManueB]

We're now thinking it's because he was going down with this that Killay made his move when he did, and why it was all over so quickly and without any injuries for either of them, and why all 3 other roos were so keen to drive him away - they perceived a threat to the health of the whole flock (the virus is shed in poop for a while, which is another reason he's indoors).

Makes sense. I thought it was really a terrible fate that he caught this virus on the days he spent hiding away, but it seems more likely that way round.

Do you have an idea how contagious it is ? Do you need to watch the rest of your flock for illness ?

I have not heard of this technique before; can you elaborate please?

It only works because the glue from fly ribbon traps is not made with solvent, but with resin and oil. It just rubs off with a wash cloth soaked in oil. Still, I won't be using those in the coop anymore because it must have been quite traumatic for poor Lily! We stick those ribbons in our house as well at the beginning of summer when we really have lots of flies, and it's just awful when it gets caught in your hair or clothes (especially if it already has dead flies stuck on it ).

Is it the small leaved lime? I thought the other types were toxic to bees.

It is a small leaved lime. I'm not aware that other types can be toxic ? Ours is a huge success with all pollinators, but for the last four years the bees could only enjoy it for a day or two before we got a wave of hundred thousand of invasive box tree moths taking it over and driving the bees away.. hopefully they don't come this year.

 

[ManueB]

We had a huge thunderstorm in the afternoon yesterday. Power went off and the linky digital electric meter broke down. We tried to get all the chickens to shelter : Théo and his hens locked up in the run, Gaston, the four pullets, Merle and Léa could access the coop or stay outside but they stayed in the coop throughout the storm, and Piou-piou in the woodshed with the chicks which turned out surprisingly well.
The only other notable event of the day was that Blanche laid an egg, which had not happened in months. Hopefully this means the time she spends daily with no success in the nest doesn't indicate EYP in a near future.

I also finally posted about Brune's death when we got mobile access back.
It's a sad and ugly story to read only if you seek information on euthanasia at home, here : https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/26985183/

 

[ManueB]

I'd like to think that there was a wink from Brune wherever she may or may not be, because three chickens each killed and ate a baby mouse today . She was the best mouse hunter, but I have to say the young ones showed serious competition. First was Léa, then Piou-piou, then the black roo chick who is the biggest and hardiest of the six ! I got the technique on video, not for the faint hearted : the kill is made by repeatedly slapping the mouse to the floor.

I probably made a beginner's mistake taking all the eggs out of the leghorns nest yesterday, because I never found their eggs today ! I'll have to track them tomorrow. Both Lily and Kara are visiting all the coop's nests so I also expect them to start laying soon. Lily has become friend with Théo, while Kara is Gaston's girl, but all four new pullets tend to go with whichever rooster is around and tidbits.

We had a little rain again which make us very happy. It really feels so good to see green all around us again, and it's also very agreeable to have a respite from the heat.

The chickens had a fairly good day except Théo, who's getting so terrified of Gaston he's actually beginning to wander quite far away, which he has never done. And Piou-piou who keeps opening her wound more and more pecking at the loose skin. I think I am going to have to put a bandage on it which I really don't like.

The chicks are having individual growth spurt, every day one suddenly turns bigger than another. Still no certainty other than two roos and one pullet. Curious how those three were determined from the first week and the other take so long to show definite traits.

Whenever he sees Gaston Théo takes an attitude of terror.

Chilling with Piou-piou in the woodshed..the chicks at least love the place .

 

[Perris]

It sounds like the issues between Gaston and Theo are essentially resolved now - Gaston is the boss and Theo does fine if he keeps out of his way; is that right, or have I misunderstood the situation?

 

[RoyalChick]

I'd like to think that there was a wink from Brune wherever she may or may not be, because three chickens each killed and ate a baby mouse today . She was the best mouse hunter, but I have to say the young ones showed serious competition. First was Léa, then Piou-piou, then the black roo chick who is the biggest and hardiest of the six ! I got the technique on video, not for the faint hearted : the kill is made by repeatedly slapping the mouse to the floor.

I probably made a beginner's mistake taking all the eggs out of the leghorns nest yesterday, because I never found their eggs today ! I'll have to track them tomorrow. Both Lily and Kara are visiting all the coop's nests so I also expect them to start laying soon. Lily has become friend with Théo, while Kara is Gaston's girl, but all four new pullets tend to go with whichever rooster is around and tidbits.

We had a little rain again which make us very happy. It really feels so good to see green all around us again, and it's also very agreeable to have a respite from the heat.

The chickens had a fairly good day except Théo, who's getting so terrified of Gaston he's actually beginning to wander quite far away, which he has never done. And Piou-piou who keeps opening her wound more and more pecking at the loose skin. I think I am going to have to put a bandage on it which I really don't like.

The chicks are having individual growth spurt, every day one suddenly turns bigger than another. Still no certainty other than two roos and one pullet. Curious how those three were determined from the first week and the other take so long to show definite traits.

Whenever he sees Gaston Théo takes an attitude of terror.
View attachment 3561251View attachment 3561252View attachment 3561253View attachment 3561254View attachment 3561255View attachment 3561259View attachment 3561260
View attachment 3561263View attachment 3561266View attachment 3561267View attachment 3561270View attachment 3561273
Chilling with Piou-piou in the woodshed..the chicks at least love the place .
View attachment 3561274View attachment 3561275View attachment 3561277View attachment 3561278View attachment 3561279View attachment 3561282View attachment 3561285

Good job on the mice!
There are two other methods I have observed with my lot. One is the tear limb from limb approach. This happens when multiple chickens are all wanting the same mouse and the unfortunate creature ends up being ripped in pieces.
The second is the swallow whole approach which is if anything even more alarming to observe. This happens when the chicken with the mouse sees her fellow chickens approaching tapidly to share the spoils.
‘What mouse? There is no mouse here. Burp!’

 

[ManueB]

It sounds like the issues between Gaston and Theo are essentially resolved now - Gaston is the boss and Theo does fine if he keeps out of his way; is that right, or have I misunderstood the situation?

I don't think it's over yet. Gaston is chasing Théo anytime he sees him and he's trying to win Blanche and Cannelle over. I'm not sure if Théo will be allowed to stay around... granted he doesn't try to steal hens.. and I don't know if Théo can refrain himself from trying to mate with the hens.
But I think it will evolve quickly now and I should be fixed in a few days.

May I ask if Chirk is still alive ?
And/or on a happier note, how is Fez and his mum ?

 

[Perris]

Hopefully Gaston will settle into his position and not feel it necessary to rub Theo's nose in it.

I'm pleased to say Chirk is improving: I took this yesterday, after he'd been trying to get up again and he can sort of sit up in the bowl now - after a week of being on his side.

If I hold him up, his legs pedal (and his feet clutch my fingers if I offer them), so they both work; he's just struggling to control them and not lunge to the right (the right side is the weaker one). His appetite is excellent, and his digestive system is really gassy but still working fine - and I realized yesterday (when he sort of crowed twice and thus called me in) that he normally avoids pooing unless and until I'm present, to clean it up quickly. I guess he's keen to avoid another shower or else to avoid having to long endure the pong - it's quite powerful in the small space of the utility room

Fez meanwhile carries on growing fast and living out with his mum 24/7. I'd hoped she might take him/her into one of the coops when the rain arrived, but no. She's got a good spot and it stays almost completely dry unless the rain blows in from the east. This was him/her a couple of days ago at 4 weeks old.

 

[ManueB]

Hopefully Gaston will settle into his position and not feel it necessary to rub Theo's nose in it.

I'm pleased to say Chirk is improving: I took this yesterday, after he'd been trying to get up again and he can sort of sit up in the bowl now - after a week of being on his side. View attachment 3561987
If I hold him up, his legs pedal (and his feet clutch my fingers if I offer them), so they both work; he's just struggling to control them and not lunge to the right (the right side is the weaker one). His appetite is excellent, and his digestive system is really gassy but still working fine - and I realized yesterday (when he sort of crowed twice and thus called me in) that he normally avoids pooing unless and until I'm present, to clean it up quickly. I guess he's keen to avoid another shower or else to avoid having to long endure the pong - it's quite powerful in the small space of the utility room

Fez meanwhile carries on growing fast and living out with his mum 24/7. I'd hoped she might take him/her into one of the coops when the rain arrived, but no. She's got a good spot and it stays almost completely dry unless the rain blows in from the east. This was him/her a couple of days ago at 4 weeks old. View attachment 3561997

I don't want to get my (and your) hopes up too quick, but I'm still happy to hear this . He certainly has the will to fight. If it's neurological control that is lacking it is something that can be rebuilt.

I've also noticed that some (not all) of the chickens I had to keep in crates developed strategies to avoid having poop all around.

I wonder if Fez will ever take to sleeping in a coop if it never happens while mum is still in control. Will the desire to live with other chickens be sufficient to entice such a change of habit ?

 

[Perris]

I've also noticed that some (not all) of the chickens I had to keep in crates developed strategies to avoid having poop all around.

interesting. What were your birds' strategies?

I've noticed also that Polka seems to have retained the broody poop mode even though she's not been sitting as such for >4 weeks now; there is no poop in or near the nest, in contrast to the amount a typical hen puts out overnight from the roost in a coop. I'm assuming it's survival mode for sleeping out, not wanting to attract any predators via odours.

I wonder if Fez will ever take to sleeping in a coop if it never happens while mum is still in control. Will the desire to live with other chickens be sufficient to entice such a change of habit ?

interesting question; only time will tell I guess.