Farewell Flock

Tis a sad day at Sugarhood Farms.  We have come to the point where we need to break up our flock.

We must have been bad chicken parents and it has promoted aggressive behavior among the ladies.  They started getting really aggressive toward each other about 2 months ago and I have no idea what is causing it.  Maybe they could feel winter approaching and the argument about who truly burnt down the house last year finally came to a head.

It could be that Hattie and Penny are better looking than the others so they have been targeted.  I don't really know what insights this kind of violence but it infuriates me.

While we were in the yard yesterday Bonnie (the eldest) got her buddy Becky and they attacked Hattie's rear-end pulling out beaks full of butt feathers.  Poor Hattie has no down left on her hind quarters and her crazy tail feathers are gone too.  She is not the beauty she was just 48 hours ago.

Lacy was brooding for a few weeks and every time we forced her out of the nest box, Becky and Scarlet would attack her to keep her away from the food.  Lacy was bald on one side for a week or so and I am convinced she felt too ugly to show herself.  I am convinced that was more the cause of her brooding than the need to hatch the egg of empty promises.

I thought I could solve the aggression problem by separating them but when I put Lacy outside the coop to wander the yard, she and Scarlet would get into a cock fight through the fence. Puffing up their chests, running at each and jumping up to attack each other through the wire.  Really, ladies?

Now that winter is approaching and separating them is not an option, we as the proprietors of the farm, have decided it is best to break things up.

We are not giving up on our fowl dreams, just accepting social defeat and planning for a fresh start in the spring.

All of the ladies have served us well so we would like them to go to good homes but I am setting December 1st as our deadline. After that point, they will be taken to the Vegan sanctuary to live out their days.

If you, or anyone you know are interested in taking in some new yard inhabitants, please let me know.

Here is a detailed chicken census:

Bonnie

2 year old Bard Rock
Lays Brown eggs

(Can be paired with anyone, except Hattie, because she wants to eat her)

Hattie

1.5 year White crested Blue Polish 

lays white eggs

(Can be paired with Penny or Lacey, she gets picked on a lot because she has the nicest hat)

Scarlet 

1.5 year old Maran 

lays chocolate brown, speckled eggs

(this chicken is not officially up for adoption as she belongs to a friend.  If that changes, I will update the post)

Little Becky

2 year old Americana  

lays blue eggs

(Can be paired with Bonnie, Lacey or Penny.  She hasn't been the same since Big Becky, may she rest in peace, passed last fall)

Penny

3 year old Black Laced Hamburg  

lays white eggs

(I love her... she can go with anyone because she is a mature and nice lady but I will miss her and may need to come visit.  She could win the State Fair if you have the patience to read all the rules to enter her)

Lacy

1.5 year old Black Laced Wyandotte

lays brown eggs

(Can be paired with Bonnie, Becky or Penny)