The chickens are causing trouble. They are pecking at each other and they all have bald spots on their necks. Here’s a picture of Gnocchi’s neck. She’s got the worst of it right now:
I consulted my chicken guru and she concluded that my hens are probably bored. She suggested that I try to put some hay down in the run, let them out to roam more often, or I could just butcher the more aggressive hens.
So….. I’m going to buy some hay.
I’m also going to experiment with letting them out in the yard during the day. I haven’t let them out unsupervised because there is a major feral cat epidemic in my neighborhood and several of them have taken up residence under my deck over the years. As much as people have tried to convince me that the cats won’t bother the hens, I’m just not comfortable leaving them to defend themselves. Not only are these cats vicious and multigenerational feral, but they are totally gangster. I live in the ghetto, in case you didn’t know. There is a good chance these cats are packing heat under those mangled fur coats.
I got home from taking the girls to the park late Wednesday afternoon and went out to the backyard to check on the hens. The yard was a wreck. There was dirt all over the brick patio, several freshly planted flowers had been pulled from their beds, there was shit (literally) everywhere, and the hens were running wild through the bushes. I realized that leaving four chickens unattended in the yard is like leaving a bunch of teenagers alone for the weekend: All hell is going to break loose.
Here is some video of the damage (sorry about the shaking- I was giving Annie a piggyback ride):
What happened to my chickens? They are acting like such….. animals. Don’t they know that they live in the city? Surely only country chickens behave in such a manner. They are supposed to be sophisticated urban chickens that don’t need a simple life of arcadian contentment.
I’ll humor them with all this digging and roaming and other nonsense. But if they start growing mullets and discussing governmental conspiracy theories…. I’m going to start serving fried chicken for dinner. Fried urban chicken.
23 comments
Your chickens sound like my kids kids – getting into it with each other, bored, causing problems. Needing some hay. Or whatever. So I guess ignoring them and drinking wine isn't the right thing to do? I obviously can't have chickens. (Concerning that I have children, right?)
P.S. When are you coming over here for the goods?! Ed's in town this week – when he's not here, I can't do anything with it. It's a wonder I can even power up my computer…
Laura recently posted..Little miracles not monsters
Laura recently posted..Little miracles not monsters
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:57 am
They are like kids! I wish I had thought about this a little bit more.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:57 am
They are like kids! I wish I had thought about this a little bit more.
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They are like kids aren't they? Except you can't make them clean up after themselves.
I love your chicken posts!
Alison@Mama Wants Th recently posted..Writers Workshop- Verbal diarrhea and the memory of an elephant
Alison@Mama Wants Th recently posted..Writers Workshop- Verbal diarrhea and the memory of an elephant
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:58 am
The only thing that's keeping them alive is that they lay some pretty awesome eggs. Oh, and they provide excellent blog material.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:58 am
The only thing that's keeping them alive is that they lay some pretty awesome eggs. Oh, and they provide excellent blog material.
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Be careful. When it gets that bald, it will get infected and also they can turn canibalistic. If they get a taste for raw flesh/blood, they'll start attacking/killing/eating eachother. Gross, right?
I've tried a few brands of anti peck spray and the best is Scarper. It's aerosol, the pump spray ones tend to not penetrate the feathers as well, so they're kind of a toss up. Not all peck sprays are created equally.
Plus, you might want to look into antiseptic spray for that raw wound. I've used this brand before: http://omlet.co.uk/shop/shop.php?cat=Chicken+Keep…
But you could probably find an acceptable brand in your feed store. You'll have to talk to the weirdo though
.
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Stay At Home Babe recently posted..Feminine Wiles
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Ack! I think I'll make a special trip to my friendly feed store. Thanks for the tips!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Ack! I think I'll make a special trip to my friendly feed store. Thanks for the tips!
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Even though I am not a fan of live chickens….don't eat fried urban chickens. *lol* then I wouldn't be able to tell people I 'know' someone who has chickens.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I had a feeling that when I started writing about the chickens that people might get too attached. I should start making "Team Gnocchi" shirts. lol.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I had a feeling that when I started writing about the chickens that people might get too attached. I should start making "Team Gnocchi" shirts. lol.
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He may not lay eggs, but Bruin the poodle NEVER does that. Well, he does poop. Those crazay cheekens! It may be a mess, but it's perfect blogging fodder!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Ha! I think that's the only thing keeping them alive right now (the blog fodder).
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:01 am
Ha! I think that's the only thing keeping them alive right now (the blog fodder).
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Um, yeah?
Sorry, I got nothing – just enjoyed hearing you.
Mad Woman behind the recently posted..I’m getting away!
Mad Woman behind the recently posted..I’m getting away!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Lol!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
May 12th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Lol!
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My hubs came out of the bedroom, blurry eyed and questioning why I was pretty much giggling myself into delirium late last night after I read this post! There's just something about picturing a hick chicken with a mullet…bahahahaha!!
I hope your hen pecked hens grow their feathers out soon and they ease up on the homemade hooch they have stashed in their hen house
It sounds like your chickens have a little of that back country blood in them!
Ana recently posted..The world around usAnne Frank says it the best
Ana recently posted..The world around usAnne Frank says it the best
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I'm dying right now picturing myself offering my kids that choice:
Hay or slaughter.
Good luck to you, mama.
julie gardner recently posted..Today call me feliz
julie gardner recently posted..Today call me feliz
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The chickens will obviously give you good practice for keeping feral teenage boys away from your bored teenage girls.
The Serb has MAJOR chicken phobia issues…I showed him your video and he practically convulsed. Now I know what to threaten him with when the lawn doesn't get mowed (not a euphemism)
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Why do we need kids, when we can have chickens?? I can laugh, because I don't have to go clean up their mess, of course. Well they certainly did seem happy enough doing all that digging!
Ally recently posted..Aint Teenage Love Grand Why- Yes It Is
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Fried urban chickens? Delicious!
Ryan (The Woven Mome recently posted..The Forgiveness Folly
Ryan (The Woven Mome recently posted..The Forgiveness Folly
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There is a good chance these cats are packing heat under those mangled fur coats.<~~~ So funny I just spit coffee!
JamieAnne recently posted..A grocery trip- turkey chili- a pound cake and a boozy cocktail
JamieAnne recently posted..A grocery trip- turkey chili- a pound cake and a boozy cocktail
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Sounds like you're dealing with a bunch of children, instead of livestock. Good luck.
Tonya recently posted..Self Help Youll Never Find In A Book
Tonya recently posted..Self Help Youll Never Find In A Book
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I can't miss noticing that on the video you sound quite disappointed from the chickens' behavior. One thing for sure, your chickens don't seem bored anymore – they had quite of a chic party; the best thing to do is forgive and forget (not necessarily fry them)
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Do you know who is doing the plucking? If you can figure it out, pull her out and keep her in a chicken tractor, away from the others, for a few days. The idea is that the remaining hens will re-establish their pecking order (the plucker is typically top hen) and when the plucker is reintroduced, she will be on the bottom of the pecking order.I've done this several times and it works every time!
Another issue might be their feed. Sometimes they will pluck and eat feathers if there is a lack of protein in their diet.
Over crowding (which I don't think is the case here) and stress can also cause plucking.
Poor lady!!
Give her a smooch for me. hahaha
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Carri recently posted..Throat Punch Thursday- I’m High on Vicodin Edition
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YOU are ridiculous. And totally brave. I can't imagine adding real hens to the hen house. For reals. You brave.
adriel recently posted..our hunch was right
adriel recently posted..our hunch was right
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If the baldness is on her chest she may very well be doing the pecking (yes, on herself). She's using her feathers to add to her nest. It happens and I would keep an eye on it but not worry too much. It is also a sign of boredom. One trick I do with the hay is set it out in clumps so they have to pick it apart.
My domestic cat loves to go in the hen house at night to catch mice. One night I didn't realize she was still in there and locked her in. The next morning when I opened the door the hens came screeching out, pause, than a cat leaped out. Everyone (surprisingly) was in one piece, including the 4 little baby chicks!
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