What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

Was just thinking...if I remember right, you can improve the lavender color by breeding to black. Think I'll breed these guys to my spangles after I'm done breeding them for this guy. Should improve their color and give me the porcelain I originally wanted. I think....I'll have to go back and read again.

They are GORGEOUS and you are correct! The black should help bring more of the lavender back and porcelain would be amazing

 

[kurby22]

Such an abundance of fruit! That all white pullet almost glows

Ya...I'm usually good at not scaring them. I had a friend over who joined me in the coop to help. She saw them jumping up on me and me petting them, and she reached out and grabbed one by the back to pick it up. Instant craziness from the whole flock. They'd never been handled that way.

What's funny though is that at her house I see birds jump up on her, she picks em up exactly that way, smashes them flat to her chest and starts petting away. They don't go sleepy eyed, but they don't panic either. There's only a few like that, but those ones get extra treats from her

Hahaha this sounds like me with my roosters I only do it with the ones I know are okay with it, but I definitely hug them and pet them! I do leave the ones alone that aren’t up for the harassment, but I still make sure they know they have to let me pick them up for meds and treatment and health checks.

 

[ChicksnMore]

They are GORGEOUS and you are correct! The black should help bring more of the lavender back and porcelain would be amazing

I've been reading about it and if I'm reading correctly... porcelain is lav over Millie fluer and oegb Spangles don't actually carry the correct genes...their mottled instead of spangled. If I'm reading correctly they have the white feather tips but not the white and black tips like Millie's. I'll definitely be sitting with the spangles tomorrow and looking and thinking. Swear I've seen black markings in the back but I've never looked at their individual feathers up close. I might still breed them and get pretty birds but I think they won't be porcelain. Not as pretty without the lav next to the white. Henavier will let me play with her feathers to really see what's there.

I do have dwarves with Millie like markings. They're bigger by a tad and have very different feathers though. Not sure how well I'd do at getting them back to those smooth, sleek oegb feathers I like so much. That's a lot of breeding...lol.

Maybe I'll try ordering them again after all. When I tried this spring it was just too sad though. I've never had a shipping experience like it. I only want a couple of them. Like my crele...I have one pair that I don't breed...I just like watching them for as long as they live. My egg basket for eating is always full of little eggs...lol.

Speaking of oegb crele though...I could breed the lavs to Romeo and Juliet and get lavender creles fairly easy. I think. Now I have to read about creles because I know nothing about that pattern either

Ah I'm crazy...I have enough chickens...I should just enjoy them as they are.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Almost forgot to share pics of the peas posturing today.

Bowie showing off for Java.

Javas response. Poor Bowie failed to impress her today

 

[Shetland lover]

Made my trade of oegb spangles for Isabel. Their colors very pale, feathers are rough and the roosters dubbed. But they're lovely. They went through a 2 hour drive to get here so once they've recovered and groomed themselves they should look a little better. Most of the year my oegb's are all together so once quarantine is over, they'll go in with the group. Not the oegb porcelain I had wanted, but I'm pleased anyway. And no dead or unwanted chicks like what happened with my spring order. View attachment 3366895

So pretty! I love Isabella anything.

 

[Shetland lover]

I always check in with Spider and Beetle when handling their girls. I count on them to keep my flock safe and well, I try not to undercut them. I worry about exactly what happened to you and Spider or Beetle seeing me as a threat.
When I treat my/his/their girls for whatever, Spider is usually right next to me and Beetle looks on or after the rest of the wandering flock. They have seen me bring a few girls back from near death and I have treated both. Spider after a beating by a roo, Beetle after sticktight fleas made him sick and I syringe fed him or would have lost him. I love checking in with them during the day.

I thought it was just me 'daft' enough to do that sort of thing. Wait until I tell DH!
I always include Ferdy if, for example, I have to administer meds or give one a bath. I think it's respectful to the roo and reassuring to both the roo and the hen. He can see nothing 'untoward' is happening to his girl and the hen is reassured by the roo's presence.
DH thinks I'm nuts.

 

[Shetland lover]

Welp. If it was me... and I do because it is. I treat them as a prey animal. And stick with that because they are. Treat them with dignity and respect, not dolls or toys, give them their space and be aware of how they see the world- it wants to eat them- and behave accordingly. I step aside for my chooks, wait, don't plow through them. I don't take a predator stance or approach like a predator. I use pressure to get them to do what I want. That is just a step in the right direction weather to the left, right, forward or back.

No predators here except dogs. Owls and feral cats for the young and vulnerable. Lucky us.

I do it the same way! I get laughed at for waiting for the chickens to move out of a space before I move in. I know which chickens enjoy being held and which don't. Gladys hates being picked up so I respect that and handle her minimally. She shows she wants attention by tugging at our clothes. Pru isn't massively keen on being held so I mostly leave her be too. The others love a cuddle so are held a lot but if they don't want to be held on a particular day, I respect that and let them go about their business. I find the ones that do enjoy physical contact will initiate it by jumping on my lap etc. Ferdy jumps on my shoulder from ground level. Stanley jumps up and down on my foot which means 'pick me up!'.

 

[Shetland lover]

Almost forgot to share pics of the peas posturing today.

Bowie showing off for Java.View attachment 3367365

Javas response. Poor Bowie failed to impress her today View attachment 3367366

They are so beautiful! Java must be a hard girl to please...

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Almost forgot to share pics of the peas posturing today.

Bowie showing off for Java.View attachment 3367365

Javas response. Poor Bowie failed to impress her today View attachment 3367366

OMGeeze u can't show me these gorgeous babies any more! They are too beautiful for words!!! I absolutely LUV peafowl!!! They are my spirit bird for sure!!!

And I just wanna thank yall for your words of wisdom and feedback on ole Joey!
I went in the run this morning with a different approach. No more pushing past him and making him move outta my way.
He wasn't nearly as attacking. When he did go for my feet I picked him up and talked to him while I scooped and got everything ready to so the feed out.
I sat him down while I scooped the feed, gave him a bite to remind him I'm the good guy and he didn't try to get my feet again!!!
Call me crazy chicken lady and I don't do things as most say ya should.
But I have raised them to be pets...it only makes sense I would handle misbehaving differently - right?
I'm so glad he did so well with such a small change!!!
He didn't even chase me out the run door!!!

 

[TropicalBabies]

OMGeeze u can't show me these gorgeous babies any more! They are too beautiful for words!!! I absolutely LUV peafowl!!! They are my spirit bird for sure!!!

And I just wanna thank yall for your words of wisdom and feedback on ole Joey!
I went in the run this morning with a different approach. No more pushing past him and making him move outta my way.
He wasn't nearly as attacking. When he did go for my feet I picked him up and talked to him while I scooped and got everything ready to so the feed out.
I sat him down while I scooped the feed, gave him a bite to remind him I'm the good guy and he didn't try to get my feet again!!!
Call me crazy chicken lady and I don't do things as most say ya should.
But I have raised them to be pets...it only makes sense I would handle misbehaving differently - right?
I'm so glad he did so well with such a small change!!!
He didn't even chase me out the run door!!!

That is terrific! Welcome to super chicken crazydom world no going back now. You know the secret I hope he behaves. I'm looking forward to more photos of Joey and his feet- crushing hard on him