Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Mother of Chaos]

? Isn’t it herding sheep or a herd of sheep. Never heard of flocking sheep or a flock of sheep before.

Yes, we have shepherds and flocks. Sometimes I’ve seen “herd of sheep”, but not often.

“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night” is an old, traditional Christmas carol (tune by Handel.)

 

[Molpet]

Yes, we have shepherds and flocks. Sometimes I’ve seen “herd of sheep”, but not often.

“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night” is an old, traditional Christmas carol (tune by Handel.)

 

[Perris]

I went round this pm while the birds were in siesta mode finding and photographing the groups they were in, as it might be useful a propos our recent discussions. The photos aren't great and one is little better than nothing, but hey ho. Hopefully get more useful ones in the days to come. So, first group spotted in a favourite spot, under a columnar conifer close to the house. Poor photo because several hens that were there are not visible in it, and those birds that are, are blurry. But I'm pretty sure the ones we can see are Ystrad, Wig, Paprika, Killay and Talgarth, and Lulea was just out of shot to the right (but clearly part of this group irl)

Moving on round to the other side of the house I found this group in another oft used haunt: from the left we have Venka, Tintern, Rhondda, Betws, Hensol, Dyffryn, Llandeilo, and Fforest.

Carrying on, I found Maria on her own in the parrotia persica

and on the lawn not far away Xmoor and Cadle were grazing - they are both laying so maybe need to eat more than most of the rest

The chicks were on the terrace; earlier Nefyn had been with them, and I had got the photo below, now Merioneth was looking after them

Polka, Oxwich, Aberglasny, Sully and Hay might have been under/ around the columnar conifer but are not visible or identifiable in the photo. Or maybe they were somewhere else, with Gwynedd.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I went round this pm while the birds were in siesta mode finding and photographing the groups they were in, as it might be useful a propos our recent discussions. The photos aren't great and one is little better than nothing, but hey ho. Hopefully get more useful ones in the days to come. So, first group spotted in a favourite spot, under a columnar conifer close to the house. Poor photo because several hens that were there are not visible in it, and those birds that are, are blurry. But I'm pretty sure the ones we can see are Ystrad, Wig, Paprika, Killay and Talgarth, and Lulea was just out of shot to the right (but clearly part of this group irl)
View attachment 4282652
Moving on round to the other side of the house I found this group in another oft used haunt: from the left we have Venka, Tintern, Rhondda, Betws, Hensol, Dyffryn, Llandeilo, and Fforest.
View attachment 4282661
Carrying on, I found Maria on her own in the parrotia persica
View attachment 4282670
and on the lawn not far away Xmoor and Cadle were grazing - they are both laying so maybe need to eat more than most of the rest
View attachment 4282676
The chicks were on the terrace; earlier Nefyn had been with them, and I had got the photo below, now Merioneth was looking after them
View attachment 4282680
Polka, Oxwich, Aberglasny, Sully and Hay might have been under/ around the columnar conifer but are not visible or identifiable in the photo. Or maybe they were somewhere else, with Gwynedd.

For Xmoor and Cadle:

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Every study I've read has at least got this observation in common; jungle fowl live in distinct groups rather than one large group in a relatively small area. It's not like the studied areas locate these groups miles apart.

So that must mean the 'flocks' of 1 coming together to form larger flocks of 2-25 when they meet up to court, mate, and raise chicks.

Many gallinaceous birds group up during different seasons, e.g., turkeys, some grouse, and peafowl. To my understanding, the ruffed grouse we see here don't really form these groups, but they're rare enough they may not have the numbers to do so.

We often see a group of 5-6 turkey toms strutting together in fall and winter. Hen groups seem to be around all year, though it can be tough to discern hen groups from a mom with her older poults.

All of these groupings are transient I'm sure, just like they are in Thistlewick's flock and my flock.

This is why this topic is of such interest to me. Our mature roosters have never been able to range together unsupervised, and I desperately want to crack the code of harmonious rooster groups.

I have theories about the ways my keeping style is to blame, possible fodder for future discussion as I plan out a couple new chickenyards--we hope to move to another part of our property in the coming year.

Turkey and grouse tax from lucky moments with the telephoto lens. Galliformes are the coolest.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Well, this is no bueno. I was planning to plant seeds (cereal/winter rye) in some new beds, but I guess I’ll hold off a bit.

 

[notabitail]

Well, this is no bueno. I was planning to plant seeds (cereal/winter rye) in some new beds, but I guess I’ll hold off a bit.

View attachment 4282696

View attachment 4282697

We got a nice 70F day and then a few days later we get a lovely 18F night.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

We got a nice 70F day and then a few days later we get a lovely 18F night.

My Avian Ecology class () has an 8 am outdoor lab on Fridays.

So with a Thursday overnight low of 13°, the 8 am temp should have rocketed up to, I dunno, 17° or so?

 

[Perris]

Many gallinaceous birds group up during different seasons, e.g., turkeys, some grouse, and peafowl. To my understanding, the ruffed grouse we see here don't really form these groups, but they're rare enough they may not have the numbers to do so.

We often see a group of 5-6 turkey toms strutting together in fall and winter. Hen groups seem to be around all year, though it can be tough to discern hen groups from a mom with her older poults.


This is why this topic is of such interest to me. Our mature roosters have never been able to range together unsupervised, and I desperately want to crack the code of harmonious rooster groups.

I have theories about the ways my keeping style is to blame, possible fodder for future discussion as I plan out a couple new chickenyards--we hope to move to another part of our property in the coming year.

Turkey and grouse tax from lucky moments with the telephoto lens. Galliformes are the coolest.

View attachment 4282078
View attachment 4282079
View attachment 4282669

That grouse is stunning; I downloaded a copy for my own delight; are you OK with that?
It reminds me of a hoatzin, which I would love to see irl one day