Something New Everyday

Finn's new hobby

At four weeks old the chicks were released from the inner compound during the day and now they confidently range throughout the outer enclosure, at first watched over by Clucky and now largely on their own. Clucky has gone back to roosting with the adults in the past week, abandoning the nestbox to the chicks. Initially there were a few conflicts and open battles with the other hens, notably Zen, but Clucky prevailed. I wasn’t sure how Finn would treat the chicks, but he has been a good dad, accepting them into his flock with good humor. He even joined Clucky in battle against Zen, subduing her and helping to chase her off, and now all is peaceful. It’s gone well enough that this weekend I plan to remove the partition inside the coop and let young and old mix.

Hazel

Dandelion

Holly

Blackberry

Silver

Acorn

After a few days in the brooder, Buckthorn’s wounds healed, but he still seemed droopy and subdued. Instead of bringing another chick in with him to keep him company, I thought to put him in the dog crate out in the outer enclosure during the day so he wouldn’t be so isolated. This worked for about 10 minutes until he discovered the big opening I had missed in front of the crate and walked right out. I wasn’t going to be able to catch him easily and this was in the late afternoon, so I hazed him over to join the others. He blended in unnoticed so I decided to leave him with them unless they started picking at him again. He’s still out there, and although he still does not have his siblings size or energy, he seems to be accepted and definitely happier out of the brooder.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of last week, Flicka went broody. I’m still stressing out over having so many new chicks so I’ve decided to break her if I can. I spent last week booting her off her nest and taking her eggs to no avail. I thought a weekend by herself in the spa might do the trick so last Saturday I set set her up out there. She seemed more or less OK with it but Finn immediately started fussing, calling her and pacing the fence. Before I knew it, he flew out of the enclosure and went marching over to her. I gave up, brought her back, with Finn accompanying us, and put them both back in. I’m not sure yet what Plan B will be.

Having gotten that small taste of freedom, yesterday Finn flew out again and this time tried to call the hens over with him. They weren’t about to get near the fence and I don’t think they comprehended that they could fly over if they chose. So they gathered around inside while he called from outside. I got him back in by waiting until almost dusk, opening up the fence and dumping a bunch of scratch (read candy) just inside. The girls jumped on it and Finn marched right back in. It’s just as well I ordered additional fencing to enlarge their area, and Saturday when I install it all the adults will spend the day in the spa. When I get my hands on Finn I’ll clip his wing and hope for the best, but it may just be a matter of time before something gets him, especially if he ends up roosting in trees instead of returning to the coop every night.