After Frodo’s difficult week last week, things are starting to look up for our young rooster.
Our plan is to move Frodo out to the orchard with the hens
Last weekend, after a rather traumatizing experience with Siegfried in the coop, we started to introduce Frodo to our older orchard hens. Our concern initially was that Ginger, our head hen, was used to being Queen of her roost, and may not tolerate a young upstart rooster in her midst.
Ginger is in charge of the orchard coop
We started out with Frodo in the temporary pen, and turned the girls out loose in the orchard. To encourage them to investigate Frodo, we wedged some watermelon under the edge bottom edge of the pen. Ginger thinks with her stomach, she always has, and sure enough she found the melon…and Frodo. For a brief second we thought it was going to be another big Siegfried-sized fight. Ginger lunged at the pen with her feet and her beak, and Frodo lunged toward Ginger…with feathers flying. We blinked…and it was over. That was it. After a brief 10 second squabble, they’ve been fine together ever since.
Was it really going to be that easy? No, of course not, they’re chickens, it’s never that simple!
This is Babs, and she's not sold on the idea of Frodo...yet
We’d hoped the other girls would follow Ginger’s lead, but it turns out, the number two hen, Babs, and number three, Sweet Pea, weren’t so easily convinced that Frodo would make such a good room mate. We let them adjust to each other for a day, then tried turning Frodo and girls all out loose together. This worked, except it was too easy for Frodo to wander off and avoid the ladies altogether…especially after not-so-Sweet Pea ripped out a mouthful of Frodo’s chest feathers when she introduced herself to him.
The portable pen forces the chickens to work out their differences, rather than avoid each other
On Wednesday we put Ginger and Frodo in the portable pen along side the other girls in the ark. This worked out fine, in that there was no fighting, but Ginger wasn’t the problem, we needed to convince the other two to accept Frodo.
Scratch grain hidden under straw keeps the hens distracted
On Thursday, we gradually worked up to having all the girls in the temporary pen with Frodo, and this sent Frodo into a minor state of panic. It seems he’s a little intimidated by the hens, which is understandable, as they’re twice his size, and he still hasn’t really figured out that he’s going to be a 12 pound rooster some day. Although he challenged Ginger the first time they met, he would only run from the other two. With a little bribery in the form of fresh fruits, veggies, and scratch grains, it became apparent the girls really didn’t seem to mind being in the pen with Frodo. He on the other hand was a little twitchy, and just wouldn’t settle down. Any time Babs or Sweet Pea would look in his direction, he’d get antsy, and start zipping around, which of course would get the girls attention, and then they’d feel obligated to chase him.
Frodo has had a rough start, and is still somewhat unsure as to where he fits in
However, they’re not fighting, so compared to last week, that’s a huge step in the right direction. Now, if we can just get Frodo to relax and accept the girls, this should work out. He spent the afternoon today in the pen with the girls again, and he’s nervous at first, but slowly starting to unwind. It’s just going to take a little time.
We’ll continue to take it slow, and hopefully, if all goes well, we’ll be able to leave Frodo with the girls full-time very soon…
I was waiting to see this post today for Frodo’s update. It sounds like things are going much better than they were with the other rooster. Hopefully he’ll relax and enjoy being the “younger man”. Maybe Ginger is a “cougar” hen 🙂
Oh! I’m so glad to hear he’s having a much better experience with the older girls. Before you know it he’s going to be ruling that roost!
This is as emotionally complex as introducing a new cat to a home full of kitties.
You’re right, it is as complicated as introducing a new cat. Even though many don’t consider chickens to be ‘university material’, they do have a strict social order. You can’t force them to like each other, and you can’t force rank, but you can do your best not to make the situation worse.
Dear Clare – What an enjoyable narrative in your recent two posts on the adventures of Frodo. Of course it was not so nice for him but things are looking up and once he realizes what a big beautiful boy he’s going to be then his esteem and confidence will grow! Babs and the rest will soon be squabbling over whose his best mate! (they are such a pretty colour – I forget the name of their breed?)
thanks for making my day 🙂
Laura x
Laura, the girls in the orchard are a British standard breed, Buff Orpingtons. They were the first chickens we had here, and still our favorite breed…well…except for Brahmas 😛
dear Clare, How wonderful to catch up with Frodo. I have missed him and wondered about how he was progressing during my absence.
I am not surprised that he is having difficulty relaxing after all that he has been through. But I am certain that he will settle down once he realises that being a single ‘Toy Boy’ surrounded by so many beautiful girls cannot be a bad arrangement!!
Edith, so glad you were able to catch up on Frodo’s ‘drama’. I’m sure once he realizes that he has a good thing going in the orchard coop, his confidence will return. I’m afraid Frodo is going to get a reputation though…as a ‘Toy Boy’ living with the ‘cougars’…oh dear! 😀
It’s good to hear that Frodo had less drama tham last week. It does sound like there’s a lot of Musical Chairs going on though! How easy is it to “herd” chickens?
The good news is, herding chickens, is much easier than herding cats 😛 We’re glad he had less drama too…last week he had enough drama for all of us!
I’ve missed following Frodo’s adventures Clare, but I’m almost glad I was only back in time to catch the ‘better news’ story! Poor thing, I hope he settles with the girls!
Welcome back Heidi! He did have a rough time last week, but fortunately the only ‘evidence’ now is that he’s missing some extra hackle feathers. I’m hoping soon that he’ll just get back to being a regular rooster, and enjoying his time in the gardens.
I’ve really come to love your chickens. It’s like a chicken soap opera. 😀
I was curious to read how Frodo was doing and I’m glad things are better for him. When he gets bigger maybe he will be more confident. I think you need to write a children’s book about little Frodo. Kids love true stories. 🙂
Ha ha! My fortune cookie the other night said I should write a book 😀 I must admit, he would be a fun subject to write about. Children’s books need lovely pictures though…and, well…if you’d ever seen me draw… 😛
Oh, what a relief. It really does remind me of people. Some of the meetings I attend at work seem so similar…
You have my sympathies, I’ve been to meetings with some of ‘those people’ too…ugh…I’d rather be a chicken 😛
This sounds very promising Clare compared to last week – I hope Frodo will soon overcome his fear of the girls. 🙂 Rosie
One guy in a room full of women… no wonder he’s nervous. 😉 Hi Clare! most enjoyable to watch and learn animal behavior… truly fascinating.
Maybe Frodo is nervous around ‘older women’? I love hearing about our chicken and rooster exploits 🙂
I was eager to read about Frodo and his exploits. Clare, I think you could write a children’s story about Frodo and the girls. 🙂
This is all very fascinating. I will not use the words “pecking order” so lightly in the future!
Me again, I had to come back to see how you would respond to my comment. You see…you don’t need to draw. You could use your wonderful photos to illustrate. I used to teach 1st grade and they love real photographs. 🙂
I’m rooting for Frodo and look forward to your fowl updates! I’m glad things are looking up for him. I think Ginger is like the mother hen and the other two are experiencing a bit of sibling rivalry. I’m sure eventually they will realize what a cute rooster he is!
I’m watching your developments with interest. We gave some fertilized eggs to a friend; one turned out to be a rooster, which she doesn’t want and would like to give back. Problem is, we already have a rooster. Harder integration, perhaps! Hope Frodo doesn’t get beat up too badly! He can’t stand to lose too many feathers!
That was a very exciting and adorable post! Looking forward to reading more about Frodo. I love chickens, also reminds me of when I was growing up in the Philippines.
Great news! I am delighted. When Frodo is a tall fine gentleman those hens will all have big crushes on him, just you wait ;~)
Oh, yay for Frodo! I’m so thrilled to read this, Clare. He’s already such a big boy! I hadn’t realized how big until I see him in the shot with the full-grown hens. 12 pounds, you say? Impressive. He’ll warm up to his roosterly duties eventually, I hope. 🙂
p.s. Is it just me, or have you put a new set of photos in the cycling header? Very nice bee shot!
Glad to hear that Frodo might be accepted by the “older ladies”. Maybe everybody’s stress levels are about to drop 🙂