My rescue flock, The Rescue Rangers, has two cockerels now that one was lost to a predator. That’s alright; now Chip (the bigger of the two) and Dale (subordinate) can rule the roost with their three ladies, and their eventual flock expansion of eleven young ladies.
So far, I’ve managed to hold each of them while they were hand-sized chicks, and then capture them when they were little cockerels in their mini-coop — we had to catch everyone by hand for each day’s switch over for moving to a grass crate while I scoured the coop and mini run. After setting their home to rights, I’d go sit beside their grass run, moving them along to fresh patches as the shade moved, and sprinkling a little scratch to give them something new to get excited about.
I’ve dealt with parrots before, so when I scooped Chip out of the crate with the intent of giving him some lap time, I didn’t even think about it… my hand just went straight to the nape of his neck and started preening.
He fell asleep on my arm that first time! I think we will get along just fine. And I’ll be ready to teach him who’s boss if he tries anything, thanks to this!
Image:
Cockerel Chip, far left.
Unnamed pullet, sitting.
Cockerel Dale, sitting.
Unnamed pullet, sitting.
Pullet Rocket, far right.
So far, I’ve managed to hold each of them while they were hand-sized chicks, and then capture them when they were little cockerels in their mini-coop — we had to catch everyone by hand for each day’s switch over for moving to a grass crate while I scoured the coop and mini run. After setting their home to rights, I’d go sit beside their grass run, moving them along to fresh patches as the shade moved, and sprinkling a little scratch to give them something new to get excited about.
I’ve dealt with parrots before, so when I scooped Chip out of the crate with the intent of giving him some lap time, I didn’t even think about it… my hand just went straight to the nape of his neck and started preening.
He fell asleep on my arm that first time! I think we will get along just fine. And I’ll be ready to teach him who’s boss if he tries anything, thanks to this!
Image:
Cockerel Chip, far left.
Unnamed pullet, sitting.
Cockerel Dale, sitting.
Unnamed pullet, sitting.
Pullet Rocket, far right.