YO GEORGIANS! :)

[PapaChaz]

I'm also considering getting a rooster to help protect my flock but I don't think I would take it very well if he flogged me!

I plan on driving the point home the next few days, and I'll bet he don't try it again. I did it several times this afternoon, I even turned my back on him to give him the chance and he didn't take it. When I went to check on them after dark, I walked in, right in front of him on the roost, and pointed my finger at him, he ducked under the hen beside him and tried to get behind her.

the coward............

but I do intend on going in several times the next few days and following him around and giving him the chance. I want him to feel like he needs to protect them, though I don't let mine freerange, I want him to be the top of the pecking order............when I'm not around. I will make sure that he understands that the next few days. He'll get it, or I have a nice pile of pecan wood stacked up behind my smoker........

 

[carcar80]

I'm having a delayed response to this. I just re-read this! 9 feet?! And it's a bantam? Does this mean that my theory of getting a "heavy" breed will prevent them from getting over an 8ft fence is completely off base?! There is so much to learn!

Forgot to update.. I sat out the next evening at roost time and watched them. They ALL start eyeballing that spot when it gets time. They all jump a couple feet in the air off and on, just fluttering. However after everyone else resigns themselves to sleeping in a pile on the ground (ya know, cause the ACTUAL roost bar would suck), this one pullet continues to pace and look up.

Finally she launches herself about halfway up the wall and latches onto the wire, then continues to flap and flutter as she scales the entire thing. Once on top she tight-ropes over to where she sleeps.

I've been going out each morning before I leave for work (still dark) and plucking her down to put her in the run.

So, while technically they don't FLY that high, they are impressively agile apparently.

 

[carcar80]

Here's food for thought with roosters:

Every rooster I've personally ever raised has hit an aggressive point. Some worse than others but all to some extent. Most I've gotten rid of, whether due to behavior or simply not needing them.. So I don't know how they turned out. Papa, your boy I got from you has been eyeballing me through the wire but I rarely go into my run. I'm purposefully staying away from him to test a theory because as of now, he's still horrified of me when I'm inside the run. I'd like it to stay that way.

The only rooster I've ever had that has not been aggressive toward me is my main Brahma boy. However I got him AS an adult and have no way to know whether he went through this juvenile/hormonal stage. My bet is, he did.

I have partially raised a couple of boys out of him and they did hit a point of increased courage.. But I didn't have them long enough to see if it passed or how bad it got.

@GAMarans I you still have the blue boy from me, how does he act?

Just thoughts. Jumbled thoughts. I wonder if they don't all hit the juvenile stage and if it usually passes in many cases. I wonder if the severity of this stage bears any weight on whether it will or won't pass.

 

[katiedarling]

Good morning! Not usually up this early, but I'm going out to deal with the possible mite situation in the coop. Before I go out, does anyone here know if it is safe to dust Stanley with Garden & Poultry dust while the vet has him on ivermectin? He gets the dosage orally, not the pour on type. I have looked all over BYC trying to find out. I know not to use pour on with it but I see nothing mentioning the use of it internally with the dusting externally. He's pretty itchy and miserable since the dose of benadryl has worn off.


And, can I just say, that never in a million years did I ever think I'd be up at dawn with a giant rooster crowing in a dog crate in my dining room.

one more thing: any ideas on how to get him to eat? Pretty sure he's been avoiding food. He's usually the first to come running when he hears me open the bag of scratch. 2 days in a row, he wouldn't have any. Then I noticed he really isn't eating his food. Seems to be faking. He'll eat a few dried meal worms here and there but nothing else. Right now, I don't care. as long as he's taking in something he can have all the meal worms he wants.

 

[Flowerbh]

Thank you. That's what I'm worried about, I know the first time that bird gets one of my kids, my husband will have him on the table! Are polish typically a "sweeter" breed or did yall get lucky and get a particularly sweet roo?

I was just saying to myself the other day that the Polish mix chicks that I hatched were all such sweeties! They are really docile. The dad to my polish mix chicks is a Swedish Flower.

 

[sarnold1]

Is anyone else feeling under the weather? It seems like everyone has some type of virus. I know I do!

 

[feathersaloft]

Back to school bug has hit a lot here.
I'm having allergy issues myself.

Disinfecting my bus daily, trying to keep the germs down.

 

[katiedarling]

is there anyone in this thread that can answer a crazy question for me right now? I feel a little silly asking.... But, can grit get moldy? It's just rocks, right?

I normally order my grit from Scratch and Peck Feeds. This time, I forgot so I went to TSC and got a bag of Dumor grit, instead. I swear when I opened the bag, I smelled what I think is a moldy odor that literally smacked me in the face. As I grabbed a handful, I noticed it felt wet. Like there was moisture built up inside the bag(?). Am I crazy or do I just have an over active sense of smell? SHould I give it to the birds or go back to TSC?

Is anyone else feeling under the weather? It seems like everyone has some type of virus. I know I do!

Yup. I have been trying to get out to the coop to disinfect it for 3 hours. I guess I have a stomach bug, because every time I get out to the chicken yard, I have to turn right back around and go running into the house. Worst stomach ache ever. Feel awful and have sweats on and off. Good times.

 

[carcar80]

I've never purchased or smelled grit but I don't see why it couldn't get moldy under the right conditions. But what condition is the bag in?

 

[katiedarling]

I've never purchased or smelled grit but I don't see why it couldn't get moldy under the right conditions. But what condition is the bag in?

That's a darn good question. First, I opened it and dug my hand way down into it and it's definitely wet inside the bag. I just took it outside in the daylight. from the outside, everything looks fine until you look at the back. I noticed visible pockets of moisture you can see through the plastic, and then I noticed the teeny tiny pinholes. So water definitely got in there, I guess. It smells a bit "earthy" when you open it. I know rocks are part of the earth but it's not a good kind of earthy. Does that make sense? I opened the bags of the smaller grit that I got from S&P. Bone dry, no smell other than just plain old granite. Maybe I'm not such a nut case.

My sense of smell never really went back to normal after our pregnancy. It was 4 years ago.

And thanks, BTW! I appreciate the input. I'm so air-headed sometimes I don't even think of small basic things like "check the packaging" LOL