What did you do with your flock today?

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Oh I am. The problem though is I have a 2 year old that has been hands on with the chickens since day one. And he thinks he needs to be right there. I have found that if I wrap him tightly and snuggle his body next to mine he is more relaxed and will let his foot set in the epson salt. But if my son or any of the girls make too many movements it makes him nervous and he squirms and I let him go so neither of us gets hurt. It’s honestly a learning experience for all of us. His comb is black too, which his comb is supposed to be less likely to get frostbite but there it is. I don’t think he will loose his foot or any toes but it can take a while to see the damage. I’m hoping he pulls through. He is still crowing and waking us up at 5am, eating and drinking as well. His poops are normal as well. I wish I could find more specific information about his injuries. Everyone just talks about the loose of toes or comb and wattles.

I'm really glad u noticed his foot to begin with...I don't think I would have ever noticed it!
I tried lookin over numerous ones yesterday just for health checks...I'm so used to lookin at black skin it worried me at first when I was checking China cause it was yellow skin! She's a cochin lol

I'm sure glad he's makin progress though! It sure is difficult treating them as they get grown though!

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I'm so glad and hope it keeps working . I feel I do best with all animals by staying kind and respectful. Especially since I don't cuddle the chicks much. I get my friendly birds because they trust me and expect my presence to never be a bad thing.

I live in a high predator area too. Here it's coyotes, bobcats, polecats, hawks and owls. When we moved here I had a big German shepherd that I had raised with chickens. He was a working dog in the sense that he was expected to spend most of his time outside keeping our yard safe. While we had him we never lost a single animal. When he passed I didn't want to replace him... I just wanted him still. We started loosing birds everytime I blinked it felt like. I'd look out in the yard and see coyotes standing there bold as brass.

So I broke down and got another dog, she was a little smaller then my shepard (closer to coyote size) so I got a second dog to help her and raised them both with all the animals. They spend most of their time outside with a little daily indoor time because they're family too. Love them both dearly and we're back to never losing an animal to anything. Hawks and owls will perch and watch my birds...but they've never swooped when I have dogs. Though I'm actually always afraid a hawk will someday. No coyotes or anything else. A bobcat tried coming into the garden one time...dogs jumped the garden fence and got it. Made a mess of some plants in the process...but no pets lost. I can lock my dogs up with chickens, rabbits or anything and they'll never hurt them. Best dogs ever. It just takes thoughtful training as you raise them.

I know dogs aren't for everyone...but if you have predator problems they can be invaluable.

Yeah we've always had rotties but when our last one passed that's when the adult kids got me 4 chicks.
Our oldest has huskies and we used to keep them when they went on vacation n seeing how my poor babies handled that was horrific! Of course the huskies had never been around chickens either. So it's not a good judge if they are raised up with them.
I'm just not physically able to train a dog ...especially rotties as they are so strong.
I do good to handle ole Joey lol.
We have bobcats, coyotes and owls too but thank God I haven't had any encounters with those...yet.
Our run isn't as large as it was before I collapsed it (long story) so when DH built me a good run due to lumber prices last year he shortened it some but it is still rather large.
I did start out with the prefab nightmare and 4 months in realized that wasn't going to ever work!
That's what I use now as a bachelor coop .

 

[Shetland lover]

It takes 6 months to care for a chick so it can be old enough to lay an egg or be able to fertilize an egg. Takes a good 2 years to get a spectacular rooster. The best wealth of knowledge for the flock are the older seasoned hens... it is the age that guides the young generations and makes the whole thing a show...
Guess those folks are missing out sorry for them.

Couldn't agree more! My older girls have always been the best teachers. I also give them huge credit for teaching my roos how to be respectful to their ladies.
They literally take the younger birds under their wings too. The very first day we brought Connie, Peggy, Alice and Gladys home, 18 month old Connie and Peggy got in front of 12 wk old Alice and Gladys to protect them from the percieved threat of our cats. They puffed up to twice their normal size and growled at the cats, it was pretty intimidating. Even more amazing is that Connie and Peggy had lived their entire lives (from hatching) in a tiny cage until that day and hadn't met each other, Gladys and Alice until we collected them all about an hour earlier. They'd certainly never seen cats. Yet the instinct to protect the younger pullets in their new flock was so strong. Ex-batts are so amazing!

 

[Shetland lover]

So the cockerel has been favoring his foot more and more since the blisters all popped. But I expect that. There is so black where the blisters popped on the top on his foot. The swelling is still going down slowly. He is getting to the point that he wants to fight me on everything. I put my hand in the kennel to try to get him to move closer to the door and he pecked at my hand and took off to the door anyway. He is fighting me on the epson salt baths. Luckily I know a few tricks so I can at least look at his foot and see how it’s going.

Magu and Maggie are still being shifted from the house and the run. We were originally going to just make the dog pen we have work for them 2 but they are cattle panel fencing so that wasn’t going to work. So we decided to add an addition to the run. Basically 2 coop areas but the new side will be for mating, but this house will set lower to the ground and be perfect for the babies. So, the drakes will go into the original run and the hens will stay with the ducklings. Then when everyone can live together we will open both sides so they can go to either coop. Only a door will be open between the 2 so we can separate again as needed.

This is all we have gotten done so far and with the snow we got last night I’m not sure when we will be able to finish it. But I’m the second picture there is a bag setting on a pallet but that is where the house will be.

That's good news. The fact he's now fighting you is a great sign. Let's hope the black dries out and falls off quickly, leaving clean flesh behind.

 

[Shetland lover]

Yeah, I would have a fort Knox if I lived in a high predator place. Or just buy eggs and never know the difference. I'm grateful to not have that expense. Start up is bad enough as it is. And definitely a covered run, I can't imagine a cooped up flock. We have people who raise in small cages here. I have no good thoughts on that.

At the moment, all domestic fowl in the U.K have to kept under cover and can't free range due to the bird 'flu outbreak. It's a nightmare and I think it really messes with them psychologically. I do an awful lot of enrichment activity with them to try to keep them sane but I feel so sorry for birds whose carers don't have the time or inclination. And don't even get me started about chickens in tiny cages

 

[FBMcrazy8]

That's good news. The fact he's now fighting you is a great sign. Let's hope the black dries out and falls off quickly, leaving clean flesh behind.

Oh he is for sure not liking me handling him. I just hope we are going up hill and not down hill.

 

[BirdLvr56]

Hello! This is a place to post pictures/talk about what you and your flock have done today.

I was on a zoom call earlier and Iris, my rooster, decided to stand behind me and crow repeatedly. Thankfully I was on mute, but it was still annoying. They couldn’t see him, but they could see me trying to make him quiet, which was a little embarrassing.
Here’s a pic of my boy with some mini roses.
View attachment 2128202

What about you guys? Have you done anything interesting with your flock today?

Here are a few pictures of my birds.
View attachment 2128859View attachment 2128860View attachment 2128833View attachment 2128869
View attachment 2128894

Beautiful birds! I'm new with 8, oops now 10 chickens. Just added 2 rescues. A 4 wk old silkie and a 12 or so wk old bcm. My flock is 7 sapphire splash and 1 light brahma. I'm trying to integrate. My flock is not being very friendly. It is not an overnight job. I always spend a lot of time with the flock. Right now the 2 new additions need me more. The black copper Maran female and the silkie are bonded like crazy. Just got them on Sunday. I believe the silkie thinks the Maran is her mother. Physically in rough shape but coming along nicely. Attaching a pic

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Yeah we've always had rotties but when our last one passed that's when the adult kids got me 4 chicks.
Our oldest has huskies and we used to keep them when they went on vacation n seeing how my poor babies handled that was horrific! Of course the huskies had never been around chickens either. So it's not a good judge if they are raised up with them.
I'm just not physically able to train a dog ...especially rotties as they are so strong.
I do good to handle ole Joey lol.
We have bobcats, coyotes and owls too but thank God I haven't had any encounters with those...yet.
Our run isn't as large as it was before I collapsed it (long story) so when DH built me a good run due to lumber prices last year he shortened it some but it is still rather large.
I did start out with the prefab nightmare and 4 months in realized that wasn't going to ever work!
That's what I use now as a bachelor coop .

We are letting our little Rotties run around outside right now. Of course they aren’t allowed in the run with the chickens or ducks but just them getting used to them and seeing them is a great start. Especially cause their mom isn’t interested. I can see how training them would be hard but I’m hopeful that starting off little is a big jump. That and the Rooster is inside and they don’t mess with him. It is kinda funny cause when the Rooster crows the puppies howl back.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Couldn't agree more! My older girls have always been the best teachers. I also give them huge credit for teaching my roos how to be respectful to their ladies.
They literally take the younger birds under their wings too. The very first day we brought Connie, Peggy, Alice and Gladys home, 18 month old Connie and Peggy got in front of 12 wk old Alice and Gladys to protect them from the percieved threat of our cats. They puffed up to twice their normal size and growled at the cats, it was pretty intimidating. Even more amazing is that Connie and Peggy had lived their entire lives (from hatching) in a tiny cage until that day and hadn't met each other, Gladys and Alice until we collected them all about an hour earlier. They'd certainly never seen cats. Yet the instinct to protect the younger pullets in their new flock was so strong. Ex-batts are so amazing!

Nice warm fuzzy story

 

[TropicalBabies]

Beautiful birds! I'm new with 8, oops now 10 chickens. Just added 2 rescues. A 4 wk old silkie and a 12 or so wk old bcm. My flock is 7 sapphire splash and 1 light brahma. I'm trying to integrate. My flock is not being very friendly. It is not an overnight job. I always spend a lot of time with the flock. Right now the 2 new additions need me more. The black copper Maran female and the silkie are bonded like crazy. Just got them on Sunday. I believe the silkie thinks the Maran is her mother. Physically in rough shape but coming along nicely. Attaching a pic

Welcome! Sounds like you have your head around it time helps. Cute littles! Bravo on the rescues ♡♡♡!