Meet The Flock! Share Your Stories and Pictures!

[TundraFang]

I wanted to start this thread so I can post pictures and stories of my flock. I'd love to see any photos or read any stories anyone wants to share as well!

 

[TundraFang]

The first chickens I want to talk about are Chuck and Wagon, my boss hens.

Here's them in the bath! The one on the left is Wagon and the right is Chuck. I got them at my local feed store before I knew the health issues associated with Cornish Cross. After a few weeks of having them I realized they were growing much faster than the other chicks but I assumed this was normal because they were a meat breed. When they started having trouble walking I knew something was very wrong. I had almost no experience with chickens so I asked around for advice and was basically told that they will die slow and horrible deaths unless I put them down. I decided that I was going to do everything I possibly could to save them, starting with weekly baths. They were literally sitting in their own poop just waiting to be fed all day. I weighed them and Wagon was 15lbs and Chuck was a Whopping 20.1lbs! I started slowly limiting their food intake to force them to free range. As they began walking more and were losing weight I started exercising them. I used a stick and gently encouraged them to start walking around. Now when I pick up the exercise stick they start running. When they're done with their daily run-around-the-coop they follow me to the treat fridge for some yummy watermelon! Now they are still not quite as active as the other birds but they're improving every day. I just weighed them and Wagon is 9lbs and Chuck is 10.6lbs! So to everyone that told me they couldn't lose weight, and that they would never live a happy, healthy life, my girls proved you wrong. I hope you realize as long as any animal has a will to live there is still hope. To anyone who is going through something similar, don't give up! You can do it!

 

[TundraFang]

Next up is the top rooster, Puffy Britches Jack (PBJ)

He's a Barred Cochin Bantam but don't let his small size fool you! He's as mean as they come. He attacked me on several occasions and is a bully to the hens. He's also greedy and lazy. He rarely watches for danger and runs to save himself rather than defend the hens. We had to buy him a separate feeder because he chases everyone away from the food.

One day he irritated Chuck and Wagon so much that they attacked him. They chased him away from food and water, pulled out his feathers, and wouldn't let him in the coop. We had to put him in the outdoor brooder at night so they wouldn't harass him. It stopped after about a week and they now leave each other alone. Thankfully, as he matures he's becoming more mellow and a better protector for the flock. He doesn't attack me anymore and is a lot nicer to the hens. Despite him being a stereotypical mean rooster, I wouldn't give him up for anything. When he's older I'm hoping to get some cool looking crossbreeds from him!

 

[WIchickMama]

Here are my girls. In the crate on the way home about 1.5 weeks ago--we have 8. 2 White Polish Crested, 1 Barred Rock, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Silver Wyandotte and then (I think) 2 Buff Brahma and 1 White and Black Columbian--but please correct me if I am wrong. They are all 21 weeks and were bought from a local FFA girl. Not sure if the breeds are right as we just went and picked the ones we liked 2 are laying-the Barred Rock and the White Leghorn for about 1 week now. (and I hope they are all hens)

 

[TundraFang]

Here are my girls. In the crate on the way home about 1.5 weeks ago--we have 8. 2 White Polish Crested, 1 Barred Rock, 1 White Leghorn, 1 Silver Wyandotte and then (I think) 2 Buff Brahma and 1 White and Black Columbian--but please correct me if I am wrong. They are all 21 weeks and were bought from a local FFA girl. Not sure if the breeds are right as we just went and picked the ones we liked 2 are laying-the Barred Rock and the White Leghorn for about 1 week now. (and I hope they are all hens)

You're girls are beautiful! I have a soft spot for Polish haha

 

[TundraFang]

Here's one of my favorite hens(just don't tell the others), Pigeon!

She's a Sapphire Olive Egger and she must have pockets somewhere because I don't know where else she could store the AUDACITY. She is completely fearless when it comes to people and will waltz right up for a tasty treat. She will occasionally tolerate being held if there's food involved but not without a good scolding and aggressively preening afterwards. She has no tolerance for the roosters and will chase them away from her favorite dust bathing site and roost. She's never been agressive towards me but when she was little we thought she was a rooster because of how she pushes everyone around!

 

[WIchickMama]

Here's one of my favorite hens(just don't tell the others), Pigeon!
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She's a Sapphire Olive Egger and she must have pockets somewhere because I don't know where else she could store the AUDACITY. She is completely fearless when it comes to people and will waltz right up for a tasty treat. She will occasionally tolerate being held if there's food involved but not without a good scolding and aggressively preening afterwards. She has no tolerance for the roosters and will chase them away from her favorite dust bathing site and roost. She's never been agressive towards me but when she was little we thought she was a rooster because of how she pushes everyone around!

I love her head feathers. Her color is beautiful

 

[TundraFang]

I love her head feathers. Her color is beautiful

Thanks!

 

[TundraFang]

I haven't posted here in forever because this thread is kinda dead but oh well, here's Moe being a chicken loaf and Pigeon begging for some grapes. Moe recently became top rooster and has thankfully ended Puffy's tyranny! Puffy Britches is now at the bottom of the rooster pecking order so the hens can finally get a break.

 

[TundraFang]

Here's some random photos of my Satin Silkie cockerel, Eclipse! He's one of my favorites!

I love this little dude so much. I might give him his own flock when he's older so he won't have to compete with the other roosters... He's spoiled lol