When will they assimilate?

[NewYorkMama]

I am seriously questing your portrayal of theses new comer hens as rescue chickens because they seem quite healthy and at home in their new flock.

I’m not sure what you mean.

Yes, they are quite *physically* healthy now as they’ve been cared for by the farm sanctuary that rescued them from a terrible situation. At the time they were removed from the farm where the farmer had abandoned them when he realized organic certification was “too difficult”. They were in awful shape (along with hundreds of others rescued at the same time) and required medical treatment (which the farm sanctuary provides entirely thru donations).

Perhaps a link to the Farm Sanctuary’s website would be helpful to you so you understand the work they do to remove farm animals who are abused and neglected — and those who work with them as adoptive families to rehome some of their animals. https://www.farmsanctuary.org

I went through a lengthily adoption process to bring these two girls into our farm which includes application, interview, photographs, and references before being accepted in their rehoming program.

They absolutely are rescue chickens - I did not raise them from chicks, and their background is unfortunate...they are lucky to have been rescued from yet another example of the sad state of animal commodity farming that exists in this world.

I consider all of my animals as companions, pets, and individuals; these two new rescues included. I do not consume my pets. I am concerned for their well being and assimilation into our farm family. I want them to feel as comfortable as my original girls, AND I don’t want to cause any further stress to my original flock. I can’t imagine how I may have misconstrued any of that, but hopefully it’s more clear for you now.

 

[llombardo]

Separate food bowls may actually prolong the period of adjustment. Try only one food bowl and keep your eye on the ladies and take appropriate action, Like removing the old timer hens for a few days. I am seriously questing your portrayal of theses new comer hens as rescue chickens because they seem quite healthy and at home in their new flock. Cut out all the treats because these goodies tend to make hens jealous of one another.

Yep, one bowl does wonders. Today I gave them one bowl and for the most part they all are together

 

[NewYorkMama]

Yep, one bowl does wonders. Today I gave them one bowl and for the most part they all are together

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Ha! Well, there’s always going the other direction, right! Maybe “forcing” them to share will help them share. Thank you.

 

[llombardo]

Ha! Well, there’s always going the other direction, right! Maybe “forcing” them to share will help them share. Thank you.

It's not easy. These girls can be brutal and big bullies. I recently lost one of my ducks. I found someone rehoming female runners. I grabbed two dreading putting them together after the chicken fiasco. I got them home, plan was to keep them in the cage for a while. That lasted all but 3 minutes. They came out and we're best friends immediately. Nothing like the chickens.

 

[IamRainey]

Ducks are special!

We used to be the weekend and holiday family for my daughter's class mallards -- Daniel and Cindy -- when she was in kindergarten. I adored those birds!!!!

There is a reason they are the traditional Chinese symbol for fidelity! When evening came and they needed to be in a crate for safety it was pandemonium trying to get ahold of one. But, as soon as we got either one in the crate the other dutifully trotted in to be with their companion. They had personality out the swazoo and some 30 years later I still think fondly of them and am grateful to be reminded of our time with them.

I would have more ducks in a New York minute if I had any appetite for my pool turning a bright emerald green again.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

… Yes, they are quite *physically* healthy now as they’ve been cared for by the farm sanctuary that rescued them from a terrible situation. At the time they were removed from the farm where the farmer had abandoned them when he realized organic certification was “too difficult”. They were in awful shape (along with hundreds of others rescued at the same time) and required medical treatment (which the farm sanctuary provides entirely thru donations)….

My concern is that there was recently a case where a well known humane organization was caught buying puppies from a puppy mill. Now these wonderfully HUMANE people did not sully themselves by selling or should I say RESELLING these rescued dogs on the open market but they did parcel out these unfortunate puppies to adoptive homes for exorbitant adoption fees or donations as you call it.

All that glitters is not gold any more than every person that you meet on the WWW is the latest reincarnation of Mother Teresia.

 

[NewYorkMama]

My concern is that there was recently a case where a well known humane organization was caught buying puppies from a puppy mill. Now these wonderfully HUMANE people did not sully themselves by selling or should I say RESELLING these rescued dogs on the open market but they did parcel out these unfortunate puppies to adoptive homes for exorbitant adoption fees or donations as you call it.

All that glitters is not gold any more than every person that you meet on the WWW is the latest reincarnation of Mother Teresia.

I don't know anything about the story you mentioned above, and I have made no comment about donations in regards to puppy mills. I was responding to your assertion that I was either misleading people by calling my chickens rescued, or was somehow mislead in my process of adopting my two rescued chickens.

I do hope that you'll actually take a look at the Farm Sanctuary's website. Not all charitable organizations can be painted with the same brush, as I'm sure you understand. They do amazing good, and unfortunately necessary work.

I have been to their New York location personally. And the due diligence they performed before accepting me as an adoptive animal parent was lengthy, in-depth, and without financial cost to me. Their process is transparent, and their staff is all very reachable. I accepted the responsibility of caring for these chickens because animals are individuals with a right to life and care, and are not mere commodities.

But again, you don't have to take my word for it. https://www.farmsanctuary.org/about-us/

 

[Abriana]

What happens with my chickens is when there are new birds, they get to eat once the others are away from the food. They just wait a little longer but I never worry about mine, of course I am checking crops to make sure they are getting enough to eat, but they are usually bulging!

 

[NewYorkMama]

What happens with my chickens is when there are new birds, they get to eat once the others are away from the food. They just wait a little longer but I never worry about mine, of course I am checking crops to make sure they are getting enough to eat, but they are usually bulging!

Thank you for that reminder! I forgot that's a good way to check if they've been eating.

 

[Abriana]

Thank you for that reminder! I forgot that's a good way to check if they've been eating.

Yep! Or sometimes for young birds I’ll hide some food where they can get it, and put it in a different place every morning. I do have to show my little ones to the food, so they know where to get it! Then I distract my older girls with treats or some feed spread on the ground. That way everyone gets breakfast!