The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ki4got]

But seriously...is there any breed that is any more amicable at roost time or is it common to all chickendom?

I don't have issues with roosting usually. even when the horse trailer was crowded. usually if you have enough roosting space, they'll pick their own space. but they will all try to get at the same level (top) since only the lower pecking order birds will stay off the top perches.

I have 4 roosts, 8' long. 2 of them about 4-4.5' high and 2 of them around 2.5-3' high. they usually use the lower roost to hop up to the top, since they're stair stepped along both sides of the trailer, giving me a center aisle to walk in to check nests, birds, etc.

 

[Kassaundra]

I put all my roosts at the same level just b/c of their desire to have a upmost roost, I figured if they were all the same height there would be lesser arguing and all wouldn't try and pile on the topmost ones.

 

[flyladyrocks]

I knew how well the feathers were doing and needed something similar only bigger for outside in the coop, and it just came to me. I did the same, the first night I used it Gary went out and touched chicks and feet and all were toasty and warm.

 

[Sally8]

I don't think I've ever spent the time needed to see if there is much fighting going on. I will tell you that it's always the same ones on the highest roost, the same with the next and the same 4 on the bottom. Makes me think of cows knowing which stanchions to go to. My chickens vary in the time they go to bed. The 2 Columbian Wyandottes don't go in until almost dark. The roo and his harem are ready for bed an hour or better before dark.

 

[CoopChick719]

Okay...I'm about ready to process the whole flock and just start over.

Someone out there talk me out of it.... @Kassaundra @aoxa @RedRidge @delisha @armorfirelady @lalaland @ whoever has something to say to keep me from taking a knife out there right now (okay...a little dramatic but you get the idea...)

I'm extremely frustrated with all the fighting at roosting time. THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOST SPACE... space for probably 6-8 more birds on roost than I have. But they fight. They attack each other and knock each other off. I HATE IT. I was out there tonight and ready to just .. well... do something I'd regret. IS THERE REALLY ANY HOPE TO CHANGE THIS? Or do I just need to start a new flock with breeds that have a better personality? Or is it always going to be this way not matter what...the nature of the beast? I guess if I'm not out there at roost time what I don't see won't make me crazy. But I can't stand what I'm seeing when I'm out there.

I had the same issues when I had 4RIRs in the flock to the point where there was bloodshed. Rehomed the RIRs...no fighting over roost space, of which there is plenty, just a little pushing, shoving & burrowing under or sitting on top of each other. No squawking either. Picture of the new crib for the chicklets in the big coop.

 

[aoxa]

Please do. I would love to see that.

Who is a reputable Buckeye source near me?

There are a lot of breeders in Ohio, that's a state over isn't it?

http://americanbuckeyeclub.blogspot.ca/p/breeders-directory.html

Indiana



Hidden Creek Farm
William Dyke
5335 Adelaide St.
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: 317-979-2744
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hidden.Creek.Farm.of.Indiana
Offering: Day Old chicks; Pullets & Cockerels; Hatching Eggs
(Pickup or local delivery ONLY, no shipping.)
Breeder Since 2012: Lay
NPIP #: --

This one above has some nice birds!

 

[aoxa]

I put all my roosts at the same level just b/c of their desire to have a upmost roost, I figured if they were all the same height there would be lesser arguing and all wouldn't try and pile on the topmost ones.

My roosts

They don't fight over it, though I very rarely see any on the bottom roost.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Haha she technically is not a hatchery bird. Sally8 got her from her Uncle (I think) who raises them. For all the mischief she gets into I have to say she is one of the nicer birds I have. She loves to talk to me & my Mom and will follow us around (for food of course) but I can sit on the ground and she will come visit. Thats what she was doing here once she realized I was handing out worms. She is the biggest bird but def at the bottom of the pecking order. Even Edie was putting her in her place

@armorfirelady
Let me take a look at my dehydrating books and see what it recommends for drying those. Sounds like a plan to me but I'm curious to see what their recommendation is.

Thank you. I need to find my book. I forgot about it. Out of sight out of mind

Quote:

Quote: I have one 8 ft roost. 8 hens. They all have their favorite spot. Big girls are roosting by 730. Sophie & Lucy are shortly after them. Edie & Stella stay out till dusk. Their is an occasional peck here and there or someone trying to crawl under another for their spot.

And if you really want to mess up their roosting fill their dust bath......It could be almost dark & they all get down to take a bath in fresh ash

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote: I hope you recover well. I'm sorry I was so far behind I did not realize you had a surgery.

But seriously...is there any breed that is any more amicable at roost time or is it common to all chickendom?

My HRIR just jump up and sit there. no shoving, no noise, no knocking another chicken off the bars. I agree with Axoa as you bring in new chicks, get heritage. Now is a great time to get on a waiting list if your desired breed is hard to get. If you are looking for a local source, call your Purdue 4 H extension and find out if any of the 4H birds did well last year. I hunted all over for a good HRIR breeder and finally got some from way down south. About 2 months later I was at a 4H show 40 minutes away and right in front of me were at least 4 amazing HRIR chickens and at least 2 Buckeyes being carried around my elementary aged children. My county fair had a few production reds but there were heritage birds at the not as local fair. Then there is the show in Lebanon. http://www.bccn.boone.in.us/poultry/2013_photos_results.html
The blue sumatra breeder I found had his birds in the Lebanon show. I think there were a few sumatras of his line in his local 4H show too.

Yes...the older group was 2 yo this March. That's 6 of them.

But...everyone is laying full-tilt right now and I'm getting more eggs than I ever have. But I'm definitely considering having that first group go at the end of Fall and not keeping them over the winter.

I have three 2-week old Swedes in the brooder right now and I certainly don't want them to learn bad behavior from the older crowd. And I'd love to try a few Buckeyes if I knew the best source for them. I just hate to wait forever to have eggs again.

Here is a great thing about breeders, they tend to raise up more birds than they want to use as breeders. A lot of breeders will sell trios or quads very reasonably priced for good but not breeding quality chickens. This is how I got my sumatra chickens. One of them even laid an egg while being transported.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thanks for all the input.

I'm seriously thinking it is this particular group of birds. Seems to me that this got really worse this winter when the mamma "ditched" the 13 week olds and it was "every young bird for herself". I don't remember them squabbling like that before the long winter and the new youngers entered the competition. Seems like too long a winter.

However the br's were always a bit bossy, but the kind of behavior I'm seeing is ... peck the other guy until you get them to jump off the roost... kind of behavior.

Roosts are all at the same level so no problem there.


ANOTHER TOPIC:

Ideas for a LIGHTWEIGHT predator proof sleeping room for a rooster. Photos please of all your ideas. I'm thinking of making "mister" spend the night out in the not-secure run so I need something to lock him into for the night.