Raising chickens

dlgoff

Years ago when I still had a lot of "townie" in me, it wasn't a old hen but a old rooster. Live and learn I guess.

btw It was well cooked but had the consistency of my shoe sole.

Ouabache

Yep, they look like a Rhody-Sussex cross..
Our hens were out free ranging, having a great ol' time, kicking up leaves
looking for grubs. A notagoshawk swooped down an ate one of our Rhody's.

dlgoff

I haven't gotten around to making a predator proof cage outside the coop yet so they haven't experienced the outdoors. This afternoon when I was tending then, I opened the coop door and watched them come to the doors edge an look out but were afraid to come out. However George Roger came, took a look out, put her head over the door jam and got ready to jump out. I said, "Hey". She's smart and changed her mind. Good Chicken.

BTW I covered the floor with wheat straw a few days ago to give them some scratch.

Evo

Nooooo!

George is another of my favorite animal names! Protect my baby! Make sure they don't go out in the open where notagoshawks can get them.

dlgoff

When I get their outside pen completed, it'll be covered just for that reason. Roger will be in good hands.

dlgoff

Here's Roger this afternoon.



And with her friends.



Now she's showing off.

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lisab

Nice looking brood, Don ! Did all of them survive their chickhood?

Evo

<Gasp> He's beeutiful!!!! I have the fist male egg laying chicken.

dlgoff

Thanks. Yep. Six out of six.

dlgoff

You sure you want to eat those eggs now?

rhody

Don,

I ran into this and thought I would post it, kittens make good baby chick guards...



Rhody...

Evo

Awww, but don't let BobG see it, we all know what happened when his chick met the cat...

HeLiXe

dlgoff

Roger is starting to act like a rooster. When I open the door to the coop, she throws up a wing and wants to attack my foot. Hope she/he can still lay eggs.

Ms Music

Any spurs visible yet?

Even if you got lucky and have 6 hens, there is always one dominant hen that decides to pretend to be a rooster.

dlgoff

Well that explains it. Roger must be the dominant one. No spurs that I can see.

dlgoff

I've been building an 8' X 8' cage attached to the chicken coop where they can get outside when they want to sun. I've been letting them out while I'm working on the cage and it's clear that Roger is the dominating hen. Whatever she does or wherever she goes the others follow. Today she decided to peck around on my shoes and all the others wanted a piece of the action.

Perfect choice Evo. Everyone loves her.