Exotica
C'est La Vie
Hey!
Since I'm posting here, it must be quite obvious that I am new! About two weeks ago I purchased four Australorp's and a Barred Plymouth Rock from a local feed store. They are such cute little things! Very tame already as I make sure to handle them everyday and they are currently kept inside the house.
I have a few questions!
1) I will let them roam freely around my backyard when they are older - is this considered free range? I'm planning to supplement with feed that contains animal protein.
2) My backyard is mostly grass with lots of shrubs and some dirt/sand areas - is this okay? Can they thrive if it's mostly grass?!
3) Athena, my Barred Plymouth Rock is always off doing her own thing or the flock tends to move on without her. Will she have problems in the future? ): She does regroup with tem after a bit but can tend to be a loner.
4) When can I expect them to start laying?
5) I never plan on consuming them - but let's say they die of old age, is it possible to eat them after they are dead years down the line? Or if I check the body and everything is okay if they have passed earlier.. is it okay to eat? Somehow I still feel like this isn't right, but I just want to know.
6) My Australorp's are barely feathering in and the small feathers on their wing near their neck are brown and black. It's as if the feather is black with brown stripes.. Is that normal? I bought them from the local feed store so I doubt they're breeder quality.. but does this mean they are mixed with something?!
Sorry for all the questions! Here are some pictures of all my girls!
^ Athena, the Barred Plymouth Rock
^ My sweet Papillon mix (that I shaved down for the summer) with the chickies!
^ Toki, once again demonstrating what a great big brother he is!
^ Athena sleeping on my lap
^ Athena and Chanel the Australorp both sharing me!
^ Willow, Skye, and Marry Poppins the Australorp's sleeping on my little sister &little cousins hands after being tired out from exploring!
Since I'm posting here, it must be quite obvious that I am new! About two weeks ago I purchased four Australorp's and a Barred Plymouth Rock from a local feed store. They are such cute little things! Very tame already as I make sure to handle them everyday and they are currently kept inside the house.
I have a few questions!
1) I will let them roam freely around my backyard when they are older - is this considered free range? I'm planning to supplement with feed that contains animal protein.
2) My backyard is mostly grass with lots of shrubs and some dirt/sand areas - is this okay? Can they thrive if it's mostly grass?!
3) Athena, my Barred Plymouth Rock is always off doing her own thing or the flock tends to move on without her. Will she have problems in the future? ): She does regroup with tem after a bit but can tend to be a loner.
4) When can I expect them to start laying?
5) I never plan on consuming them - but let's say they die of old age, is it possible to eat them after they are dead years down the line? Or if I check the body and everything is okay if they have passed earlier.. is it okay to eat? Somehow I still feel like this isn't right, but I just want to know.
6) My Australorp's are barely feathering in and the small feathers on their wing near their neck are brown and black. It's as if the feather is black with brown stripes.. Is that normal? I bought them from the local feed store so I doubt they're breeder quality.. but does this mean they are mixed with something?!
Sorry for all the questions! Here are some pictures of all my girls!
^ Athena, the Barred Plymouth Rock
^ My sweet Papillon mix (that I shaved down for the summer) with the chickies!
^ Toki, once again demonstrating what a great big brother he is!
^ Athena sleeping on my lap
^ Athena and Chanel the Australorp both sharing me!
^ Willow, Skye, and Marry Poppins the Australorp's sleeping on my little sister &little cousins hands after being tired out from exploring!