This evening we moved Della into the little coop that we use for the chicken jail or hospital . . whenever we need to separate a chicken for whatever reason, we put them in there. It’s big enough for four full size chickens and for tonight at least, she will be in there by herself. She isn’t happy being in there alone but at least she’s safe from those mean read hens and sex starved Iowa Blue roosters!
Most of the evening, I carried her around . . holding her while doing my outside chores. She’s perfectly happy to be held. I told Vince they make chicken diapers and . . well, you don’t want to know what he said but I think what he meant, was: NO CHICKENS IN THE HOUSE!
Tomorrow, if the Dominique chickens lay, I will give her some fertile eggs and she can sit on those if she wants. We’re thinking about putting this little guy in there with her.
Petunia
It’s the one on the left. I’m not sure if it’s a boy or a girl. At first, I thought boy because of the beard and comb but the other roosters have started crowing and doing other rooster “things” and this one hasn’t. Also, I’m not sure what it is . . a cochin of some kind . . splash maybe? Definitely a bantam. One thing I do know is that he/she has the sweetest personality. He seems to be a real kind hearted little guy. He loves Vince and will follow along after him all day. He isn’t as crazy about me but he’s nice to me. He’s named Petunia, so I guess I hope he’s a she but he kinda looks like a skunk from a distance. Anyway, he’s a loner. Most of the time, he’s by himself and he even sleeps away from the other chickens so he might be a good companion for Della.
Joyce Wilson says
Judy,
You can tell a young rooster by the feathers on the back of his neck. A rooster has pointy end hackles feathers. A hens hackles feathers are gently rounded.
JudyL says
It isn’t quite the same with the Cochins as with the traditional chickens.
Joan says
Yea Della! Yes, she needs a companion! Looks like Petunia might need to be renamed Pete at some point!?! Looks like a rooster to me. But what do I know?
Sharon in Michigan says
Match maker, match maker, make me a match! Don’t know where that came from:-) Good thinking, Judy.
Helen Koenig1 says
Whew! Sure am glad Della is out of there! Not sure what the others may have been planning – but after the egg incident, they did NOT mean Della any good for sure! Of course, now Della is wondering what she did wrong to be isolated – but am hoping that with Petunia in there she will feel no longer quite so alone! (and of course, this is what you were thinking!)
JudyL says
I know! I kept telling her yesterday “You don’t deserve this!” She’s such a sweet girl. I’ll find one of those little bantams that will be nice to her so she’s not alone.
Theresa says
I like the idea of having Della sit on eggs as much as she wants without those mean hens to ruin them. Maybe some of the chicks she hatches can live with her, too.