For the love of chickens

[Mee]

Dharmagirl, I don’t want to post too much on your thread but here is a picture of the first brave venture to outside space - They are all out now, all named. LB was having none of it this morning, she demanded to be let out and had no interest . Only now is she returning to have a look at them as they explore outside. I’ll keep them in tomorrow too but open the door and hour ish before LB wants to go in - it might be that they venture out for an explore if they are feeling brave :)

 

[VioletButterfly]

Saw this and thought of you... :)

 

[DharmaGirl]

Dharmagirl, I don’t want to post too much on your thread

This is the chicken thread, you should post about all your girls! Post when they lay, too! The picture was small so I couldn't see much, but is that a blue chicken?

@VioletButterfly, I love that! So cute!

 

[Mee]

This is the chicken thread, you should post about all your girls! Post when they lay, too! The picture was small so I couldn't see much, but is that a blue chicken?

@VioletButterfly, I love that! So cute!

If you click on it it should get a little bigger, it’s the two bluebells. And one of the others but I’m not sure which ?. My dog is watching them from the other side - he takes the responsibility of taking care of his hens VERY seriously.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I was wondering about the 4 legged chicken, lol. My mom has a stray cat who loves chickens, and has moved into her chicken coop. The chickens were suspicious, but now allow her and her friend in whenever they want. The two cats sleep in the nesting boxes. The neighbor catches feral cats and has them fixed and releases them, but these two are the sweetest, loving cats ever. My mom is happy since they keep the rodents down.

Let me know how you like the bluebells, I might get some eggs to hatch. I'm glad you got more hens, they provide eggs and happiness.

 

[Mee]

I was wondering about the 4 legged chicken, lol. My mom has a stray cat who loves chickens, and has moved into her chicken coop. The chickens were suspicious, but now allow her and her friend in whenever they want. The two cats sleep in the nesting boxes. The neighbor catches feral cats and has them fixed and releases them, but these two are the sweetest, loving cats ever. My mom is happy since they keep the rodents down.

Let me know how you like the bluebells, I might get some eggs to hatch. I'm glad you got more hens, they provide eggs and happiness.

I opened the door about an hour ago. The bluebells are notably more reserved than the others. Last out and first back in .

One of the emeralds is hiding in a tree - That’s the Aracuna in its breeding ?

 

[DharmaGirl]

One of my pullets, Maisie, just started laying and then disappeared. She was gone for about a week when she suddenly reappeared. I followed her and found 19 eggs in a yucca plant. This was after finding 19 eggs a week prior in an unused coop. I watched her everyday after that, since many hens layed for her nest, and we had to throw out the eggs since she was sitting on them. Yesterday I noticed an egg on the ground under the pullet coop, and you guessed it, Maise was under there with 29 eggs. I wondered why we were only getting 16 eggs a day! My neighbor texted me and asked if I had any use for chicken wire, and I cleaned out under the coop and put up chicken wire so they can't get in. Now we are getting about 20 eggs a day. She hasn't seemed to be broody anymore, spending her days out with the other hens.

 

[mumstheword]

I really, really want chickens!!!! I only have a amall yard, though, but, I'm thinking a few bantams might be ok, they are small too!
We call chickens "chooks", here in Australia.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I really, really want chickens!!!! I only have a amall yard, though, but, I'm thinking a few bantams might be ok, they are small too!
We call chickens "chooks", here in Australia.

Yes, a couple of bantams would fit into a smaller coop, and give you eggs and happiness. They have personalities and become part of the family. I love the word chook, it sounds more affectionate than chicken! I hope you do get some. I wouldn't get Polish bantams unless you don't mind chook screaming. They are small birds with big mouths! Adorable though, and friendly. I bring my standard Polish hen, Bouffalant, out front with me to weed. She loves to be out front to help me. She also walks on a leash, as long as we go where SHE wants, lol.

I just got 12 "bantam" orpington eggs to hatch. The standard breed are very large, so the bantams are the size of my smaller hens. I really hope you do get some.

 

[Mee]

I adored my millefleures bantams. Such beautiful little birds, absolutely adorable. I also had a very beloved white silky bantam with the blue / black face? God she was an adorable bird. Like a cat. I cried like a baby when she died.

Bantams are great fun and - lighter on a garden of you are freeranging

 

[DharmaGirl]

I was hoping you would chime in @Mee, I only have experience with large fowl, and mostly heritage breeds. I try to hatch chooks on the endangered list, but for people claiming they are saving the breed, they charge a LOT for a dozen eggs. I know they have to recover their costs, but still. I'm sort of the polar opposite. I give away birds now.

 

[Mee]

I was hoping you would chime in @Mee, I only have experience with large fowl, and mostly heritage breeds. I try to hatch chooks on the endangered list, but for people claiming they are saving the breed, they charge a LOT for a dozen eggs. I know they have to recover their costs, but still. I'm sort of the polar opposite. I give away birds now.

I was the silky as a gift, I was also Into heritage breeds- I like birds that earn their keep and where males aren’t ‘wastage’ ?. The millefleur were an utter indulgence of joy though. I adored them!

Not surprising really as they are quite like the Cochins I also like.

Down sides of both? Well their beautiful feathered legs mean long wet grass can be problematic. Dry yards or a good grass cutting regime is quite important. The millefleurs are small enough to be taken by very many predators- even a large rat. Having a good secure run for when you aren’t about and a couple of birdscarers ( I think these are useful with any free ranging birds) is useful. I use old cds hung like mobiles and wind chimes- but I don’t have neighbours.

If you do opt for millefleur bantams I will definitely want pictures- I love them so much