The New Flock 2021: Back to Basics

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's amazing he's still hanging on Cynthia. We have passed the winter solstice, so with increasing light now the roosters will start to feel hormonal which brings in the fighting. Goofy boys.

 

[speckledhen]

That's amazing he's still hanging on Cynthia. We have passed the winter solstice, so with increasing light now the roosters will start to feel hormonal which brings in the fighting. Goofy boys.

Bodie is a tough little man, I guess. I hope he recovers though I really don't need him. He would have to be much stronger to even try to reintroduce him into the flock with all the tussles that would follow. I have an extra pen he can have and I could pilfer a hen or two for him to keep with him. I would love him to get back into the flock, though I'm not 100% sure he'll recover. He is showing a lot of extra strength, for sure. Guess it's all that grass fed meatloaf and egg salad, LOL. Gonna be spoiled!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My experience is they generally die pretty quickly or they eventually rally and improve. I have a soft spot for those Bantam Cochin roosters and always accommodate them.

 

[speckledhen]

My experience is they generally die pretty quickly or they eventually rally and improve. I have a soft spot for those Bantam Cochin roosters and always accommodate them.

I find that I do, too. They are so sweet and funny. Bodie is an especially good leader and disciplinarian and I appreciate that. He's as good as any of the big roosters I've had in that regard. I hope he does rally though it's an inconvenience to have that spare pen occupied again. No one else will likely step up for awhile, but maybe when the days are longer and they wrestle for the top spot.

 

[1muttsfan]

Hopefully he gets strong enough to survive in a flock - chickens can be awfully tough on the weak. I took in 4 pullets, almost fully grown, at Thanksgiving. One was poorly when they arrived, but seemed to rally. However since integrating them into the main flock she has been on the sidelines. She has been holding her own, until yesterday our unusually warm weather and rain almost did her in - I found her wet and hungry, afraid to go inside and eat. I carried her in and stayed with her until she had a big meal, then put her up high to dry out. At dark I had to take her inside again, as she was too scared to go in, even though all the other hens had gone to roost. She is going to have to figure it out, as I am leaving the end of the week, and there will not be anyone to put her in at bedtime. Her 3 sisters have learned how to eat when the others are outside. I have added another feeder.

These bantam speckled Sussex boys are so easy - I have had as many as 5 roosters all on one pen with not one fight. They hang out together like bros.

 

[speckledhen]

Hi, Mary! Most likely, Bodie will have to be in a separate pen if he survives whatever this is. He was on his feet again today a couple of times with a good appetite. If his comb begins to stand up again and, of course, if he begins crowing again, I'll be more hopeful. I know chickens can be ruthless to the vulnerable!
Your poor hen will figure it out, I'm sure. She's just a shy newbie.
I almost wish I'd kept a Speckled Sussex rooster when I had them. They were so darn handsome.

 

[1muttsfan]

These little guys are so handsome and good natured. I was out in the pen one day, happened to look behind me, and there were four of them just standing there watching me.

 

[speckledhen]

Ah yeah, the original Kellogg's Corn Flakes rooster! Thanks for the picture. My only SS hen I kept, Nelda, was funny and sweet. Someone was coming to pick up chicks and she started to hoof down the driveway toward the open gate. I shouted from about 50 ft away, "Nelda! You come back here!" She squatted on the spot, then turned around and came back. The visitors said they'd never seen anything like it. She died too young, not sure why, at about 4 years old. I'd have to hunt down a photo of her in my old files. It's one reason I loved the Mille Fleur Belgian D'Anvers. They were just sucky layers and too darn broody.

The bantam Cochin boys are the same way, easily managed and mostly get along except on rare occasion, esp in Spring, like Lisa said. People who believe that all roosters are aggressive by nature have no idea what a joy these guys can be.

 

[speckledhen]

You won't believe this. I don't believe it. Bodie is CROWING! I heard a different crow as I was walking to the barn to let the big group out. It sounded weak, wasn't sure if we were invaded by a neighbor's rooster or what. I thought, who can that be? I saw him on his feet and he was crowing! I noticed him going downhill in Oct and he hasn't crowed in a month. This has to be good news. At least, I hope it is. Maybe it's all that grass fed beef he's been eating like a king in the hospital cage.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is great news Cynthia.