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I haven't seen him successful yet, but I'm pretty sure Sharon is ready!

And we all know Delorian is able!

Thanks! :)

Hello there!

Yes. It's been quite hot the past few days! (About 90°F / 32°C) Although I haven't been recording it, both sets of chickens have been getting ice/fruit treats near the hottest part of the day, and I keep changing the water out daily so they have nice, cool water to drink, too!

And it only took them 18 weeks! :D

Or maybe give her her own giant hamster ball? 🤔

I let them both out at the same time today. The video is uploading as I type this! They interacted a bit, but went back to their own separate coops in the end. We'll have a few more play dates before they're forced to be roommates, I think. :)

I think he was a little miffed they didn't go out first!

Hi there! Enjoy the birds!

Well, we're doing our best, that's for sure. She's a *very passive* chicken from what we can tell. Today I started building more space for them, but it's slow going.

Yeah, it is. I think we need to build out and give them more space. They free roam a little bit, but there are a lot of predators in the area, so I don't want to just let them out completely. I tried putting her in with the pullets after this in the hopes that they'd think she was in charge because she's older, but they immediately started picking on her, so I moved her back as soon as I could catch her again. I also don't want to get rid of the rooster. We got him from someone who was looking for a home for him, and it would seem like a betrayal of trust to send him elsewhere at best, or kill him at worst. The other four chickens on the way are intended to help with this, but I agree with you that more space is needed as well, and I am looking to remedy the situation.

@@tuxedobob2 Thanks for your reply, you clearly care about your birds, and if you wish to keep your rooster, that is your choice. You could simply separate Victoria along with two or three other hens, have a separate hen house and run for them and let these birds out at different times to the main flock and rooster? As for the other four hens you have on the way, it will not stop the rooster's attentions to Victoria or indeed his other favourite's, once a rooster establishes his favourite hen or hens that becomes a learnt and established pattern of behaviour, a rooster will always choose low ranking hens within the pecking order and hens that are more timid by breed, Easter Eggers certainly fit this category, however the decision is yours. Good luck.

No, it won't, this rooster has already identified who his favourite hens are, that will not change unless they are removed or he is removed, any experienced owner or breeder will confirm this.

We lost a chicken last year to I don't know what. It was before he had a chance to get big, and we think it's more likely than not that he was going to be a rooster. At that point we were left with seven hens, and we decided we probably wanted a rooster because part of what they do is to keep the hens calmer. So we put an ad up at the local farm store, and someone contacted us because Delorean didn't get along with his dad too well anymore. :)

Right? You see footage from factory farms and just a sea of white chickens, and you're apt to think they're all the same. But when you watch them and give them space, their personalities come out. Beth and Morgana are very food-motivated, for example. Beth will take over spots from other hens, but not from Morgana. Morgana is a little more polite about it but will still take a spot from someone else. And Amelia's voice especially is a higher pitch than the rest of them!

Yeah, I had to think about it a minute, but I realized it's probably fine, although I'm not 100% sure about the glaze on that. They do occasionally get oyster shells and will peck at little specks of rock, too. They haven't had any troubles with their eggshells, though!

I think it's fair to say that most of the time I don't even know! 😀

We started with them on all the birds, but they've fallen off of most of them. Morgana and Maeve are the only two that I have trouble with without a good luck. Jane is the only one who still has hers on!

Until they're old enough, which is about 4 more weeks! Recommendations we've seen say that they can hold their own at 18 weeks of age.

I know it's not a lot in TH-cam terms, but I started uploading these videos mostly for myself, and I never expected them to get hundreds of views. You seem to have some company in this sentiment!

You know, I'm not sure he ever does both at the same time. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.

They're also categorized as prey animals! There are a lot of animals that will eat them or their eggs (people included, of course), so they probably try to stay under covered areas so they're harder to see.

If you can, sure. I don't think it's possible to commercially raise chickens the way I am and also produce enough eggs for everyone who wants them, but if you have the means to raise your own chickens or purchase them from someone who can, they're certainly much fresher!

Yeah, definitely a look of impatience from all of them!

There is beauty in the simple things.

@@tuxedobob2 Yeah, it’s just giving me more happiness, instead of watching that crazy news nowadays of wars and money crises. It’s just a real life, without fear 🙌🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thank you!

Yeah, five more weeks, I think!

I had the same thought! They sound like teenagers! 🤣

We don't really have cicadas in our area, but they do like finding bugs and grubs! The older chickens know the sound of the bug bag and will come running for them!

I'm pretty sure it's no more complicated than, "That one looks available."

Usually she stays with the group, especially with Delorean! Although she *is* often the last one to leave the dust bath.

Yeah, I'm sure he's eagerly awaiting a younger batch. :D

Yeah, just the chicks are. We're keeping it full anyway, but since they eat stuff off the ground even when there's food in the dish, I don't think they mind much.

Thanks!

Yeah, I think I need to trim them, because he's wrecking Victoria's feathers!

I actually don't think the color looks that different, but the color definitely pops on camera more as we move into summer and brighter sunny days. He does look a bit less scraggly, though, that's for sure!

Coyotes are farther west than what we have here on the east coast. There's actually both a fox and a bobcat in the neighborhood. One of our neighbors lost some chickens to a fox recently. I just asked her today when we were out for our walk. She said they turned their back on them for ten minutes and came back to four dead chickens. That's why they only go out of the run when I'm with them!

Yeah, I was outside with them for 45 minutes or so the other day and Victoria got mounted three times. She's definitely his favorite for that, at least.

They all do that from time to time. Except the rooster. He's too cool for that.

Don't worry; they're outside now!