I already did lose one to a freak accident. I have a run that extends under the coop. My Polish was under the coop when they all got spooked, she flew up and smashed her head on the coop, died instantly. Poor thing couldn't see upwards and was scared to boot. I was out with them at the time. So sad.
Bummer! Really feel for you but also admire your respect and care for your dad and his feelings
In my personal experience what I wear doesn't make any difference, some days I wear glasses others I wear contact, doesn't matter if I have my hair down or tied up, nor makes any difference what I wear. However, I've seen my birds frightened by my mum wearing her new coat and when my daughter wore a hat. Strange thing is they aren't bothered by my grandsons appearance either, his first time wearing a hat out didn't phase them at all, nor when he wore his new coat.
I've honestly never experienced this with my birds, neither my chickens nor my ducks are bothered whatever I wear. Even the first time I came out with an umbrella and when I came out wearing my new black raincoat with the hood up and tied tightly under my chin so could barely see my face, not a stir. I went from summer clothes to winter clothes no probs either, same with my grandson doesn't matter what he wears, nor bothered by his toys either, he has a new dump truck, bright green and somewhat larger than the chickens and my smaller ducks, when he rolled it out for the first time the chickens took no notice and the ducks went over to check if it is food lol. Being Christmas he has several new toys for outside, mostly toy diggers, fire engines with sirens, they've not been phased by them at all and when he used his digger they gathered round to see if he had worms for them. However, I've seen them react to other family members with different clothes on, scared the daylight out of them, so I know it happenes, just doesn't happen with me and my grandsonYou can test this out for yourself.
I think this is part of ‘old knowledge’ that has been largely forgotten.
I was taught this as a young boy by my Uncles farm manager.
I’ve experimented with it here. I usually wear overalls, or very similar trousers and top. If I change my appearance drastically the chickens won’t approach me and tend to back away until the ‘new me’ has been imprinted, I’ve assumed.
Hoodies, hats, vivid colour changes, flappy garments, carrying unfamiliar objects, all tend to unsettle other animals.
For those who keep their chickens in runs, it probably isn’t so important because there isn’t anywhere for them to run.
My birds don't let other birds ( or cats) into our garden, usually they don't even give them a chance to land but today I noticed one daring little blackbird sat on the roof waiting patiently for when my birds had a nap, it flew down so slowly and without a sound. Usually I'd of been like 'awww that's so cute but having read many posts on here like yours telling of the potential dangers, I scared it off myself.Oh absolutely, wild birds carry yeast infections too. I used to feed the wild birds and they came in hoards to my feeders. By summers end the grounds actually smelled yeasty. The wild birds can also carry the "super bacteria" which is not a bacteria at all but a yeast that is EXTREMELY difficult to irradicate. I sometimes wonder if this is what ran through my entire flock over the years, having had SO many yeasty crops in the past 8 years. Not only do I keep food and water out of the wild birds reach, but I don't feed the wild birds anymore, bringing them into the yard, tracking crud into the coop on my shoes, chickens picking it up free ranging.
How is Ruby doing now?
Absolutely!
Marble -
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Redhead -
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Fabio (yes, I'm aware he's hideous) -
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Mr. Chatterbox -
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Piper -
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Kisses -
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Mr. Flops -
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And Ling, my beloved tried-and-true rooster -
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~Alex
Don't know if it's same here as it is in the US but commercial hens (aka battery hens) are fed on layer feed with the oils removed which causes the feather loss amongst other health issues. Im no expert and cant say more than this b'cos I don't remember exactly all I was told but I was told it by a reliable source who has worked in the industry. The food given to those chickens is developed to enhance and make sure multiple eggs are laid to the ridiculous amount those poor hens have to lay. I agree they don't want to be out of business and won't do anything to jeopardise it, but they don't do so with the chickens welfare at heart, as long as they get their 12/18 months egg laying out of them they dont care how the birds end up and from what I've learned of them I wouldn't want to feed mine on the stuff they use.
So sorry for you, must have been awful for you
