Well, after a couple months of reading, posting, and all that, I'm starting to feel like a real chicken expert!
And tonight I proved myself RIGHT!
I went out to the coop for their bedtime check and lock down as I do every night. Now, as you all know, I've been wracking my brains trying to figure out the boys from the girls in our flock. Tonight I was feelin' bold, after all that happened earlier, and got an idea.
I'd remembered reading someones post earlier about how the roos protect their ladies. So, I wondered just how early they would show this protective streak, and decided to try a little experiment of my own.
Most of what we think/know are hens are fairly friendly, minus the odd few of them. One of them (we are SURE she is a hen) is REALLY skittish compared to everyone else. I walked about slowly in the coop and closed in on her. I cornered her so she had nowhere to run to. She darted this way and that, but couldnt get away from me. Then, reaching from above her eyeline, I grabbed her (gently of course). She SCREAMED!
Next thing I knew I had FIVE of the "I thought you were a roo" boys at my feet jumping up at me, bumping my legs, and pecking hard at my pants! All of them had OBVIOUS roo posture....head held high and alert, neck feathers ruffled out, tail held high, chest puffed out....and all of them had their eye on me! I could just read their minds! They were sizing me up! "Is she a threat?" "Does she mean us harm?" I was shocked, but thought I'd try it again.
So I set her down, and the roos were all over her, checking her out, one preened her. After all had settled down, I cornered another "I'm sure you're a hen" and repeated the process. I got the same responce! This time, I looked around to see the whole flock during this time. The "I think your hens" ran to the corners, huddled and watched from a distance. The "I think your roos" became alert, responsive, defensive, and bold. Their whole posture and attitude changed! It was amazing!
We've now got it figured out. I know the boys from the gals. With only two "I'm still not quite sures".
And, I've already found a possible cull.
He's a healthy Easter Egger roo, but his comb is badly deformed and he is really a hodge-podge bird. Maybe, I can find him a home (anybody want him?) so I dont have to send him to the table, but, as we can only keep 2 roos and maybe 1 additional soley as a breeder, he will not be one of the ones we are keeping.
I want to breed healthy peeps and all.... <<sigh>>
I went out to the coop for their bedtime check and lock down as I do every night. Now, as you all know, I've been wracking my brains trying to figure out the boys from the girls in our flock. Tonight I was feelin' bold, after all that happened earlier, and got an idea.
I'd remembered reading someones post earlier about how the roos protect their ladies. So, I wondered just how early they would show this protective streak, and decided to try a little experiment of my own.
Most of what we think/know are hens are fairly friendly, minus the odd few of them. One of them (we are SURE she is a hen) is REALLY skittish compared to everyone else. I walked about slowly in the coop and closed in on her. I cornered her so she had nowhere to run to. She darted this way and that, but couldnt get away from me. Then, reaching from above her eyeline, I grabbed her (gently of course). She SCREAMED!
Next thing I knew I had FIVE of the "I thought you were a roo" boys at my feet jumping up at me, bumping my legs, and pecking hard at my pants! All of them had OBVIOUS roo posture....head held high and alert, neck feathers ruffled out, tail held high, chest puffed out....and all of them had their eye on me! I could just read their minds! They were sizing me up! "Is she a threat?" "Does she mean us harm?" I was shocked, but thought I'd try it again.
So I set her down, and the roos were all over her, checking her out, one preened her. After all had settled down, I cornered another "I'm sure you're a hen" and repeated the process. I got the same responce! This time, I looked around to see the whole flock during this time. The "I think your hens" ran to the corners, huddled and watched from a distance. The "I think your roos" became alert, responsive, defensive, and bold. Their whole posture and attitude changed! It was amazing!
We've now got it figured out. I know the boys from the gals. With only two "I'm still not quite sures".
