Devonviolet
Herd Master
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2014
- Messages
- 3,402
- Reaction score
- 8,170
- Points
- 513
- Location
- East Texas - Near Sulphur Springs
When we bought our little five acre farm, it came with a turkey hen, and two chickens. All of them were purchased at the local feed store, by the previous owner, and they did not know what breeds they were.
From what I can tell, and what others have told me, the turkey hen is most likely Narragansett. While she is currently not laying, she did lay several eggs a week until recently. Most likely shorter days had something to do with that.
As for the chickens I think they are both Rhode Island Reds. The hen is at least three years old and is no longer laying.
Th previous owners said the rooster had tried to spur the husband, so warned us to be careful.
We have now owned the property for one week, and have been in the chicken yard multiple times, with no signs of aggression, on the part of the rooster. Although, the other day, I was dropping pieces of apple core over the fence (making sure each bird got a fair share). At one point the rooster did snipe at the turkey when she got what he seemed to think was his treat.
A few days ago I was in the chicken yard, and realized that the turkey seemed to like being petted on her back and neck. She squats to almost sitting and closes her eyes, when I am petting her. It's so sweet!
Yesterday, I let myself into the chicken yard, and the turkey came up to me and half squatted so I could pet her. She relaxed down and seemed to be enjoying being petted. The rooster came close, and stayed there, so I thought he wanted to be petted also. When I reached out to pet his back, he jumped away - but only a couple inches. So I went back to petting the hen. Well, all of a sudden, the rooster squawked and jumped at me with his feet hitting my arm. I screamed out and stood up, because it caught me off guard. He then kept his distance, but seemed to be watching me warily.
About 30 minutes later, DH was in the chicken yard, filling the feed and changing the water. The hen came near DH, so he reached out to pet her. She squawked and the rooster started running toward DH with an aggressive posture. Without thinking DH put his foot up to block the attack. The rooster backed off, so DH went back to his work. Once again the rooster attacked and was blocked by DH's size 13 boot - he did not kick the rooster, but the rooster bounced off his foot and came back for more. Each time DH took a step forward, so the rooster wouldn't think he was scared. This continued for about 10 more attacks. It finally stopped when DH started running toward the rooster - in attack mode of his own. He then swung his foot like he was going to kick the rooster, but did not make contact (and did not intend to make contact). At that point the rooster ran away, and kept his distance.
DH needed to clean the water container, so took it out of the chicken yard. After hearing what happened to DH, I went out to help him, when he took the water back. I took a broom with me, to block any attacks.
When we got back into the yard the turkey came to me to be petted, and the hen and rooster stayed together in another part of the yard. So, this time there were no attacks.
DH acted instinctively. Defended himself without harming the bird. Did he handle the situation correctly?
DH wanted me to tell y'all that he thinks the roo is one of the most beautiful birds he has ever seen. But for future reference, he wants to know if y'all can tell him how to cook an old bird?
From what I can tell, and what others have told me, the turkey hen is most likely Narragansett. While she is currently not laying, she did lay several eggs a week until recently. Most likely shorter days had something to do with that.
As for the chickens I think they are both Rhode Island Reds. The hen is at least three years old and is no longer laying.
Th previous owners said the rooster had tried to spur the husband, so warned us to be careful.
We have now owned the property for one week, and have been in the chicken yard multiple times, with no signs of aggression, on the part of the rooster. Although, the other day, I was dropping pieces of apple core over the fence (making sure each bird got a fair share). At one point the rooster did snipe at the turkey when she got what he seemed to think was his treat.
A few days ago I was in the chicken yard, and realized that the turkey seemed to like being petted on her back and neck. She squats to almost sitting and closes her eyes, when I am petting her. It's so sweet!
Yesterday, I let myself into the chicken yard, and the turkey came up to me and half squatted so I could pet her. She relaxed down and seemed to be enjoying being petted. The rooster came close, and stayed there, so I thought he wanted to be petted also. When I reached out to pet his back, he jumped away - but only a couple inches. So I went back to petting the hen. Well, all of a sudden, the rooster squawked and jumped at me with his feet hitting my arm. I screamed out and stood up, because it caught me off guard. He then kept his distance, but seemed to be watching me warily.
About 30 minutes later, DH was in the chicken yard, filling the feed and changing the water. The hen came near DH, so he reached out to pet her. She squawked and the rooster started running toward DH with an aggressive posture. Without thinking DH put his foot up to block the attack. The rooster backed off, so DH went back to his work. Once again the rooster attacked and was blocked by DH's size 13 boot - he did not kick the rooster, but the rooster bounced off his foot and came back for more. Each time DH took a step forward, so the rooster wouldn't think he was scared. This continued for about 10 more attacks. It finally stopped when DH started running toward the rooster - in attack mode of his own. He then swung his foot like he was going to kick the rooster, but did not make contact (and did not intend to make contact). At that point the rooster ran away, and kept his distance.
DH needed to clean the water container, so took it out of the chicken yard. After hearing what happened to DH, I went out to help him, when he took the water back. I took a broom with me, to block any attacks.
When we got back into the yard the turkey came to me to be petted, and the hen and rooster stayed together in another part of the yard. So, this time there were no attacks.
DH acted instinctively. Defended himself without harming the bird. Did he handle the situation correctly?
DH wanted me to tell y'all that he thinks the roo is one of the most beautiful birds he has ever seen. But for future reference, he wants to know if y'all can tell him how to cook an old bird?