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Awww. Lookit those happy hens, all digging in actual, real DIRT! So sweet! You are a sweet person too, thatbastardken. 
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Oct 7, 2013 19:16
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Errant Gin Monks posted:So my hen witht he limp is finally getting better. She isnt 100% but she is walking around much better than she was. The problem is she was the dominant hen. So now that she lost her place the second oldest is running around beating the hell out of the two younger ones when they try to be queen hen of the coop. I hadnt ever seen a chicken grab another one by the back of its head and slam it into the ground, but I saw it on Saturday. Yep, chickens are an endless source of entertainment. They even give you free WWE shows. I'd hide any small chairs from them, just in case. I had an issue with my two dominant hens a while ago, and that ended with bloody faces and bald spots, but VS was right, they got over it in a few days and now Dust my headhoe is out of broodiness and molting, but remains the top bitch in the yard. I'd say just let them sort it out and just keep an eye for any wounds. If it get too vicious for too long than it might be a good idea to separate the new boss from the others with a mesh wire or something, but I don't think you'll need to do that.
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Oct 7, 2013 20:19
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Chickenfolken: I have a line on a 7 week old Cream Legbar roo. I am going to meet him and his lady tomorrow. Any suggestions on how to introduce him to the Harsh Bitches? The Littlies (the two younger Ameraucanas) are very sweet, but the two sexlinks are serious megabitches. We have the little old coop which would be fine for him by himself, but we're thinking there's enough room in the big house for all of them, and enough room for him to "escape" if they try to corner him. What works for you guys?
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Oct 7, 2013 21:20
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The way I introduced Roostroyer to my then young pullets was a mix of VS' advice and my fear of omg mah babies are gonna hurt each other  , then I did something similar with Tabasco, but I wasn't nearly s overprotective. Basically I kept him and the hens separated for a few days. I have my old coop that has 1/2 inch wire mesh around it, and I put the rooster in there. That way the hens and him can look at each other, do their posing and fighting, but not really hurt each other... or at least that was the plan with Tabasco. I had him in a crate while I was cleaning the old coop, but my brother in law decided to just let everybody together, so he let him out the same day we got him. I was curious to see what the chickens would do, so I let the chickens meet.Poor Tabasco got his rear end kicked because he was in a new place, with new owners, and he was scared. He ran to join the flock for protection and the hens mobbed him. Thankfully the yard and the run are huge, so he could run away and keep his distance, and I manage to put him back in the old coop for his own good. I kept him there for probably 2-3 days days during the day, and I'd put him inside the main coop at night so he could sleep with everybody. I would also get the hens out of the run and let him roam in the run for a few hours, and by day 3 I figured he was familiar with the yard, so I opened the run and let everybody hang out together. He kept his distance at first and the more dominant hens would scare him away from the food, but besides a few fights (they didn't last long, 1 minute tops), they eventually figured out their place in the flock, and now, 6 weeks later, Tabasco is the boss Here's Tabasco and Megatron interacting for the first time. The fights are more for dominance than actual intent to hurt each other, so they don't last long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkV-rt_oxsw
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Oct 7, 2013 21:36
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I've pretty much always introduced new roosters by keeping the old flock in one pen, and the new rooster in a holding pen next to it, with just wire dividing the pens, and add a chill hen to his pen every day or two. Once he has four or so with him, and they're all getting along well, everyone gets supervised yard time together. A few days of that and they're usually getting along well enough I can let everyone be one big happy flock. The useless extra male guinea keet just earned his feed. He started kicking up a fuss and alerted every bird for a half mile that there was a HAWK A HAWK IT'S COMING RIGHT AT US! D: Looks like everyone just barely managed to get into safety. 
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Oct 7, 2013 21:45
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I mostly worry because the little dude is going to be so much younger than the hens - they're all (with the exception of the Littlies, who will likely start this month) laying and there's a dominant hen (Dahlia). I'm hoping she'll be the one to vet him, since the two Harsh Bitches are not the dominant hens. The nice lady I'm getting the rooster from doesn't need to know how my evil hens dogpiled on him and ate him or something.
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Oct 7, 2013 21:58
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Then maybe just keep him separate with the ameraucanas until he's grown bigger. If he's similar in size to them, it shouldn't be too bad.
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Oct 7, 2013 22:29
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I got a new chicken earlier this week. I put them on the ground in the garden, he had a brief fight with what I think is the head hen, and they've been fine ever since.  He's still the last to come out of the house in the morning, but is sleeping in the right place at night and seems to be getting a fair share of the food, so it's all good.He was found wandering around in the middle of the road, the local RSPCA has our number and the people who found him phoned us and then brought him round. I think it's a black-rock rooster, but he submits when I put my hand over him and, honestly, I'm not sure. I tried to take a pic but my camera didn't like the batteries I'm using, so I'll take one with my phone tomorrow. Was supposed to get another rescue yesterday, a "brown hen" somebody had found in their driveway, but it never turned up, I assume they found the owners, but it would have been nice of them to tell us...
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Oct 7, 2013 22:40
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I just started leaking tears, that is so wonderful that you are able to give those girls a good home! NettleSoup, how many ex-batt gals do you have?
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Oct 8, 2013 01:38
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Chido posted:
Love how Megatron clearly telegraphs a threat posture and Tabasco does what all youngsters do...just stands there, like, 'Do do do do do...'. Then when she gets close enough he starts to wave, all 'Oh Hai...' then is shocked when she jumps him.  Classic.Lynza, when you meet him, evaluate him to see how timid and sweet he is. You know you chickes better than anyone, if you think your girls would seriously hurt him, you may want to coop him seperately for a bit until everyone gets used to each other and he's had a chance to grow a bit. He's going to have to endure a certain amount of chasing and pecking since he's only 7 weeks old. He's going to act like a scared youngster for a bit. In a few months he should start acting more like part of the flock, and eventually grow into his roohood.  When you introduce him, I'd do it like introducing babies to the flock--stay near to defend him (be a momma hen) and gently redirect any bullies. Here's more on how I do it: http://jackshenhouse.com/VSChickIntroducingNewBirdsToFlock.htm
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Oct 8, 2013 08:04
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Velvet Sparrow posted:When you introduce him, I'd do it like introducing babies to the flock--stay near to defend him (be a momma hen) and gently redirect any bullies. Here's more on how I do it: http://jackshenhouse.com/VSChickIntroducingNewBirdsToFlock.htm Wow VS! Jack (the Barred Rock) was really a badass! What a magnificent muscle-roo!
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Oct 8, 2013 09:21
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The BBC had a special about The Private Lives of Chickens.
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Oct 8, 2013 09:30
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The youtube-subs on that are hilarious. For rescues, we have 3 battery hens, a rescued light sussex and Louis here. This is Louis, found in the middle of the road.  Cock or Hen? Opinions? This here is my Rodger, in front of one of the battery hens.  Meadow, in front of one of the battery hens.  Bonus Image, of a battery hen. 
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Oct 8, 2013 13:12
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Battery hens seem not to know any limits besides "gently caress YOU I'M NOT IN A TINY-rear end CAGE gently caress EVERYTHINNNNNNNG".
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Oct 8, 2013 13:15
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Louis looks like a Louise to me. And yeah, Jack was a big fella, and a super sweetie.
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Oct 8, 2013 15:45
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Yeah, Louis looks like a girl. She look old enough you can just look at the saddle feathers to check. Pointy and long is male, short and round is female.
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Oct 8, 2013 15:50
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Velvet Sparrow posted:Louis looks like a Louise to me.  Okay... Im trying to wrap my brain around this guy. Those are full sized hens around them? Because my hens are maybe 12-14 inches tall standing normally. That fucker looks like he is 3 feet tall! How big was he really? Like knee height? Taller?
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Oct 8, 2013 15:56
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Errant Gin Monks posted:
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Oct 8, 2013 16:01
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Well that's good, we really didn't need another man around. Chido, that picture is the reason Roo is always referred to in our house as "lawnchair chicken"
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Oct 8, 2013 16:58
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Well I'm now wondering how to get this roo home with me today. I remember VS said she used those laundry baskets when she transported her flock cross-country, so I may try that. I'll have to go pick one up at lunch. I completely spaced this morning to bring a cat carrier.
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Oct 8, 2013 17:05
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If you absolutely can't get anything else, a cardboard box with plenty of quarter sized holes punched in it can work for a short trip. I had to do that once when a hen of mine went roaming and ended up three miles away.
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Oct 8, 2013 17:10
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Yeah cardboard boxes are fine, they just curl up in the dark and go to sleep, and then you can just throw it out after they've poo poo all over it.
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Oct 8, 2013 17:26
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I've only had them emerge happy when it was a short drive, but I usually have to grab a box for transport in the middle of summer. I guess not much is happy in a cardboard box in triple degree heat, unless it's so ventilated it's more holes than box and the AC is maxed.
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Oct 8, 2013 18:08
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Velvet Sparrow posted:And yeah, Jack was a big fella, and a super sweetie. Check out this awesome photo of Jack being a sweet roo and letting a young chick sit on his back. Also, Frizzle chickens are just so There needs to be so more Frizzle chickens because they're just so adorably goofy-looking!
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Oct 8, 2013 18:45
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Jack was pretty flippin' big, and solid, too. Sunbathing with some of his girls...  Hangin' with the girls. We have a mixed flock of bantams and standard sized hens.   I did so love to grab and snoodle the big ol' meatball, which always confused him. The dollar store laundry baskets, lined with a chunk of cheap, tough, short-as-you-can-find cut pile (NOT LOOP--toes get caught) indoor/outdoor carpet for traction and poop absorbtion. Fashion a hardware cloth wire top for it, bending the edges of the wire over the lip of the basket. Ziptie the wire chunk in place (think of the zipties as hinges). Carry another ziptie or two in your pocket. Place chicken in basket along with a few chunks of apple cut into quarters or a chunk of raw corn on the cob (provides entertainment, diversion, nutrition and hydration for the ride home) and ziptie the lid closed. Chicken is secure and confined safely, can see out and gets adequate ventilation. None of my chickens flipped out in the laundry baskets, and they spent 10 hours in them!  Loaded with poultry and ready to roll.  I kept the laundry basket carriers, they can be reused whenever needed to go to the vet or in an emergency if you have to evacuate for whatever reason. Velvet Sparrow fucked around with this message at 04:16 on Oct 9, 2013 |
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Oct 9, 2013 03:57
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Alright, I have a rooster! He is a baby (8 weeks) and SUPER cute and dorky. He is really sweet and mellow, too, which I am thrilled about. The lady I got him from adores him, and made me promise to send her pictures of him as he grows up, and to let me know what we name him. I have no idea what to name him, though. I'm awful at pet names. This is why my cat's name is Little Man.
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Oct 9, 2013 04:36
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Lynza posted:Alright, I have a rooster! He is a baby (8 weeks) and SUPER cute and dorky. He is really sweet and mellow, too, which I am thrilled about. The lady I got him from adores him, and made me promise to send her pictures of him as he grows up, and to let me know what we name him. Post his photo and let people suggest names! VS: Love the one little head peeking out of the bottom white basket in the photo of the laundry baskets in the car. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US?!?!?!" 
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Oct 9, 2013 04:54
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He has this darling little crest, which I have photographed in the worst possible way. I have brought shame to my family's name (my dad was a professional photographer). Little dude was shivering a bit, it's kinda cold in here. We figure we'll put him out with the ladies tomorrow, if the weather isn't super awful. It's been relatively warm for the last week or so, and I'm hoping we'll get lucky. 
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Oct 9, 2013 05:38
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After that BBC Special, I say name him Lloyd.
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Oct 9, 2013 06:11
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Nettle Soup posted:One thing I will say, my ex-bats are ninjas at escaping. I've seen them jump 4ft after I've clipped their wings and they're more than smart enough to use the top of a henhouse as a jumping-off-point. Watch them with that little fence... Haha, thanks for the heads up. I thought a four foot fence would probably hold them, but I'll look at getting some extra wire to run between the star pickets. chicken edit: 
thatbastardken fucked around with this message at 10:56 on Oct 9, 2013 |
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Oct 9, 2013 06:57
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Inveigle posted:Post his photo and let people suggest names! That's Yoya peeking out, she obviously thought it was a grand adventure. The true Death Glare is coming from Stoney, in the upper left basket. Lynza, he looks like a Spike to me, I dunno why.
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Oct 9, 2013 07:24
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Lynza posted:He has this darling little crest, which I have photographed in the worst possible way. I have brought shame to my family's name (my dad was a professional photographer). You said he's mellow so my vote goes for Zen.
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Oct 9, 2013 15:10
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Have yall forgotten how to name a goon chicken? Captain Loyd Zenspike Wigglesworth III, Esq.
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Oct 9, 2013 16:08
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Well if we're gonna be goony about it, his name should be Drumstick. E: Tenderloin, Crispy, Mealsworth.
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Oct 9, 2013 16:58
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We've had a suggestion of Pierre as well. He's doing very well so far! I took him out to meet the ladies. The HBs wanted to eat him, but I swatted them away when they tried. He knows already that I'm the safe spot, so he stayed close to me. Dahlia, the head hen, and Daisy, the omega hen, were not fussed by him at all, and pretty much looked at him and dismissed him as being uninteresting. The Littlies were really interested, but didn't seem aggressive. He's having an awesome time grubbing down on grass and weeds, though. I am headed to the store today for mealworms for him, too. I'm all about bribes.
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Oct 9, 2013 19:09
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Lynza posted:We've had a suggestion of Pierre as well. Schmooz the lttle sucker with goodies, handle him a lot and make him love ya. I know about Dahlia & Daisy, what are the names of your other chickens? Maybe we can go with a same-theme name here... With the silly doodad on his head you could go with Dandelion or Thistle... In other news, this year's hatch at our house may experience their first snowfall today or tonight...
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Oct 9, 2013 20:34
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Velvet Sparrow posted:Schmooz the lttle sucker with goodies, handle him a lot and make him love ya. I know about Dahlia & Daisy, what are the names of your other chickens? Maybe we can go with a same-theme name here... Dandelion would be adorable because you could call him Dandy How do the chickens do (historically) with first snows?
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Oct 9, 2013 20:49
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thatbastardken posted:Haha, thanks for the heads up. I thought a four foot fence would probably hold them, but I'll look at getting some extra wire to run between the star pickets. Aaaaa! What a cute, floppy comb! So adorable! I like the name Thistle for Lynza's new chicken. The name would go nicely with Dahlia and Daisy.
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Oct 9, 2013 22:50
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Fluffy Bunnies posted:
Oldsters: Remain in the coop, deathglare at any humans who appear and be supergrumps. Young adults: 'Meh, we've seen this already but we MAY deign to play in it.' Youngsters: 'HOLY poo poo WTF THIS IS SCARY WAIT OMG SO FUN!' for the first time or two, much confusion.
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Oct 9, 2013 23:10
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I've brought some pictures! I have the next 3 days off of work, so I've been hanging out with him pretty much all day. He loves the Chicken Facility. He hopped up on the low roost and has been hanging out there. I take him out, he eats grass for a couple minutes, then goes right back in.   
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Oct 10, 2013 00:15
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