one thing that you’ll learn about tractor supply chickens is that even if they don’t drop dead, they will always be a little smaller and less healthy. i have a mixed flock of tractor supply and some birds from my local Koopmans and you can visibly see the difference it’s crazy.
My hen and her chicks did well in the flock. No chicks were even pecked
Any poultry is okayJust chickens? Or duck/quail/turkey bloopers too?
Asking cuz I’ve got a big, bad one.
That must have been awful... I'm so sorry you had to experience that. I have to be very careful of my little Ginger. I protected her from the bullies when I first got her so we spent lots of time together- now she follows me around and rubs against my legs like a catOk, going to start with this happened almost 20 years ago and I still cry about it.
What I did: meticulously hand tamed my first batch of coturnix quail. They were so docile, they would sit in my lap and cluster under me when I was in their walk-in pen.
The consequences: They had no understanding that human feet could harm them. One snuggled down behind me, I took a step backwards and..... I can’t ever forget that feeling or sound.
The fix: All subsequent quail hatches are fed and cared for, but not tamed. Some strangely still grow that social on their own and we have to be VERY conscious of where those little idiots* are every second anyone is in the pen.
Lesson learned: Quail are little birdies with little birdy brains. We can’t expect them to analyze situations and “logically” respond to danger. It’s MY job to keep them safe, not train away their natural tendencies that help keep them alive.
*clarification: we love our little idiots very much
I have to be so careful not to step on her
Pippin cool you post stuff
There were 2 leghorn girls that I didn't butcher actually had their feathers grow back. They didn't molt either... Albeit they're thin but both Brownie & Pecky are fully feathered again. I'll post some pics in a little bit
