beach chick Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 ... rather than 2 separate groups is fascinating me! (spending FAR too much time out there ) the 4 ex-batts are now fully integrated all day, no separate housing/fencing etc. at night they roost in the WIR while the old girls go in the cube. over the last few days they have gone from 'them and us' to starting to be just one flock. Cheryl and Beyonce (ex-batts) have pal-ed up with Ginger the only existing 'red' chicken in my lot. Gaga and Rhianna (aka Britney) are lying in the long grass with Lavender the Aruacana. it's so lovely to see! the ex-batts are still mystified if I lob in something 'dangerous' like a tomato, or an apple; and god forbid I offer a high protein treat to help them feather up, you'd think it was poison! but the feathers are coming through after just 12 days of freedom - is it just me, or does anyone else think the quills with little feathery ends look just like mini paintbrushes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Your post made me smile, what a lovely image you portray. It's lovely to hear about your exbatts enjoying a happy retirement. All those strange objects to encounter. I could happily spend hours watching the group dynamics of a small flock, it's so interesting and relaxing, and I enjoyed reading about yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 I liked your post too and it made me think about my chooks as a flock. My cockerel ensures that they are one group but they deffinitely have their own friends within the flock. It reminds me a little of my school days. Firm friendships are made and there is much arranging and squabling at bedtime to make sure Dusty is by her bestest friend Dinky on the perch. Then suddenly there will be a bust up and Dinky goes off with Dolly and Doodle. For a short time Dusty looks a bit lonesome, then she tries to join Daphne and Daisy but Daphne is not gonna let Dusty 'steal' her friend Daisy. Eventually Dusty goes off to join Dixie and so it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 oh cheaky chook we miss our cockerel! (apart from the noise...) he was re-homed to friends and is now a daddy several times over. I like to imagine them telling each other their life stories "my name is Lavender and although I've never been in a cage the farm where I was born wasnt very nice. SHE rescued me and some others and it's much better here altho most of the other girls have gone to free-range in the sky..." and the ex-batts "WOW WOW WOW!" (very sentimental, I know, you may reply with vomit-type emoticons ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I always think those are the sort of things new arrivals should be talking to the oldies about but, alas, the chicken world is not so kind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 weirdly, Elaine (black chicken, dont know what breed tho!) is now choosing to sleep out in the WIR with the ex-batts despite previously always sleeping in the cube with the others... the laying is interesting - 1 ex-batt always lays in a patch of nettles (thanks!), 1 or sometimes 2 of them lay in the temporary nesting box now in the WIR, which means that 1 or 2 of them lay in the cube but dont sleep in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 You are right about the new feathers, Beachchick. They are just like paintbrushes. I love to ruffle through their neck feathers looking at these. How do the individual feathers "know" what perfect pattern to grow? Isn't nature wonderful? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 well done!!! we have had 3 new girls since the 24th June and have been very worried about putting them in with the others. the first night they did all go in the cube but then we put them in a classic, just to be on the safe side. they have had a few arguments etc but after biting the bullet and putting them in together, they have only been together 2 nights. they seem to be more of one flock, and it is lovely to see isnt it? we have no loud chatting going on and although the newbies stay out the way they are managing to eat and drink still. mine were the same about throwing treats - although not ex batts but they obviously didnt have a "treatful" life!! we have got them eating out of our hand though with sweetcorn and even come when we open the door or call, they do stand back though as they see the others, chryssie is such a drama queen, violet is abit greedy and daisy is wary, however daisy laid a perfect egg for me this morning!! we think she laid on in the eglu but this is the first one in the cube! so proud of her!! Well done and i hope things go from strength to strength xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
