The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Kev on September 24, 2008, 02:51:02 pm
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A week or so ago I came home to find a group of kids (from a local farm no less) chasing my 6 chooks (Black Rocks) around the garden.
Since then (approx 1 week later) 3 out of the 5 come out of the arc ok in the morning, the other 2 panic and run around the run until I move away from the door and then they all spend the better part of the day perching in a beech hedge, doing little or no foraging (we have an acre for them to root around).
Is this because they are traumatised from being chased or is is perhaps beacuse of that plus the fact that they are 25 weeks old and have recently come into lovely red combs etc and may therefore be close to laying (no eggs yet) and are typlical teenagers?!
Any help appreciated as I am at the point with them (having had them since they were 12 weeks old) of thinking that they would be better in the Xmas pot and get some more next year. Nae freeloaders welcome here is my thinking and if they don't lay soon then I will be revising my opinion on the point/benefit of having them!
Oh and they get loads of food. water and as said they free range over practically an acre and used to do so but now spend the day perched in the beech hedge!
Cheers
Kev
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It sounds to me as if they have had a big fright and are going where they feel really safe. I would leave them alone and they will gradually get their confidence back. I would also give them longer to lay before you cull them!! All birds are different and if they are red then they are near. the fright will have put them back a bit so I reckon just be patient.
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Ahhh the old patience thing. It would be nice to have some and occasionally I have been known to find some however I am getting to the point with my lot where some "tough luv" might be called for. Removal of the nest boxes as all they do is roost and poo in them, even though they have a lovely arc with roosting bars all rounded for their wee feet etc, and nae treats during the day. They can just bloody well survive on pellets and water and maybe...just maybe...they'll take the message and start earning their keep.
If not, anyone interested in an organic black rock plucked and stuffed for Xmas?!
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It has been suggested to me to place a piece of wood infront of the nesting area during the night to stop them messing it. Why not keep them within the run for a few days, wont do them any harm even if they are not happy about it. Many people say that if they free range their hens, that sometimes they continue laying but find 'secret' spots to do so. If it was a fox that had chased them would you feel the same? i'm, sure to hens that kids and foxes are all the same.
keep with it
Gb xxx