feeding
feeding at Alektorophobia is a file of 14 stories. The newest of them: “Puffy gets three meals a day and still acts like I'm the enemy”, “Two Roosters, One Flock, and a Whole Lot of Fowl Play”, and “Cluck-tastic snacks for your baby chick: veggies and fruits they'll actually love”. Puffy gets three meals a day and still acts like I'm the enemy. Two roosters, one flock, and a whole lot of fowl play, that's the egg-citing dilemma we're cracking into today. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every feeding story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
Puffy gets three meals a day and still acts like I'm the enemy
Puffy gets three meals a day and still acts like I'm the enemy. I get it, some relationships are just built on mutual suspicion, and apparently, that's the foundation of this one. You'd think a full bowl of feed would earn a little gratitude, maybe a polite cluck or two. Nope. Just that side-eye that says, "I know what you're up to." It's almost impressive, the dedication to holding a grudge over absolutely nothing. But honestly, that's the charm of chickens, right? They keep us humble and slightly paranoid. If you're looking for more feathered drama, our piece on "Quail eggs: nature's tiniest game of fowl hide-and-seek" captures that same spirit of playful chaos. Puffy may not trust me, but I respect the commitment.
Two Roosters, One Flock, and a Whole Lot of Fowl Play
Two roosters, one flock, and a whole lot of fowl play, that's the egg-citing dilemma we're cracking into today. You've got a gentle, scaredy-cat production red who'd rather flee than fight, and a teenage chocolate Orpington rooster who's already strutting around with his neck feathers flared. It's a classic clash of personalities. I've seen plenty of flocks manage multiple roosters, but it's not always a peaceful coop. Your docile boy might get bullied if the newcomer decides he's top bird, especially since he's already being a bit of a food-hoarding jerk. With 35 hens and plenty of space, you've got a fighting chance, but keep an eye on their body language.
Cluck-tastic snacks for your baby chick: veggies and fruits they'll actually love
Oh, the eternal quest for a veggie-loving chick, because let's be real, sometimes our feathered friends act like they'd rather peck our eyes out than try a blueberry. But fear not, fellow chicken parents! /u/Just-Signature-8541 has cracked the code on cluck-tastic snacks that your baby chick will actually gobble up, not just kick around for fun. I'm talking fruits and veggies so egg-citing, your little dinosaur might even forget to be terrified of you for a second. It's a delicate dance, finding treats that don't lead to fowl play, but this list delivers.
My hen's parked for the day: she'll eat but won't put weight on that leg
Well, here's the thing about our feathered friends: they're dramatic, but they're not usually *that* dramatic. Your hen's parked herself for the day, and while she's happily gobbling up food placed right under her beak, that leg's clearly not doing its job. She can move it, sure, but putting weight on it? Not happening. That's a classic sign something's off, whether it's a sprain, a scrape, or something sneakier like a reproductive hiccup. I've seen this rodeo before, and it's always a little fowl play when they go from scratching to squatting. Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. If she's still glued to that spot tomorrow, it's time to channel your inner detective.
Egg-cellent Substitute: Mashed Eggs to the Rescue When Chick Crumbles Run Out
Well, you know the saying: desperate times call for desperate measures. And when you're staring down a bowl of mashed yolks while your flock does the hungry tango at your feet, you start asking big questions. Can you use them as a quick stand-in for crumbles? The short answer is yes, but it's not a perfect cluck-tastic solution. Mashed hard-boiled eggs are packed with protein, which sounds egg-cellent, but they lack the vitamins and minerals your hens need to stay in peak feather. Think of it as a one-day snack, not a full meal plan. It'll tide them over, but it's not a balanced diet. So, scramble up a batch if you must, but hustle to the store tomorrow.
Splayed Legs Got Your Chick Down? Our Feathered Friends Need Help!
Well, here's the thing about splayed legs: they're a right pain in the feathery butt. Your little silkie sounds like she's got the classic case, and those clips you're using? Smart move, honestly. But here's the kicker: if she's still flopping like a fish after a few days, something's off. You're doing the right thing by checking her every other hour and keeping her toasty under that lamp, but sometimes the issue isn't just the legs, it could be a pinched nerve or even a vitamin shortage. Give it a solid week with the clips, but if she's still not pushing up, it might be time to tweak the angle or consult a vet who knows their poultry.
Banty gatecrashes breakfast, but my hens aren't clucking amused.
There's nothing like a neighbor's banty hen crashing breakfast to remind you that chickens are basically tiny, feathered opportunists with zero sense of boundaries. This little freeloader clearly knows where the good grub is, and honestly, who could blame them? I'm all for sharing the morning mash, but there's a fine line between a friendly visit and a full-on heist. It's equal parts endearing and ridiculous, and it's exactly the kind of fowl play that keeps backyard flocks so delightfully unpredictable. If you're new to the chaos, you might want to check out "Chickens Got Her Good! A Backyard Poultry Adventure" for more feathered antics. For now, I'm just hoping someone gives that banty a little grace, and maybe a stray crumb or two.
The Cluck-Tastic Case of the Mysterious Eye Cyst: Any Chicken Experts?
Well, cluck me sideways, finding a mystery bump on your hen's face is enough to make anyone's feathers ruffle. This poor girl's hiding in the coop, still sipping water and strutting around like nothing's wrong, but that little cyst near her eye? That's a head-scratcher. You drained it and got clear liquid, which honestly sounds more like a harmless blister or a clogged gland than something sinister, but I'm no vet, just a fellow chicken parent who's seen a thing or two. The good news? She's acting fine, and that's half the battle. As for spreading to the flock, keep an eye on the others, but don't panic yet. If you're after more poultry peace of mind, our piece "Chickens Got Her Good!
Cracking the calcium code without shortchanging your rooster's feed.
Ah, the classic calcium conundrum: one hen with eggshells like wet paper, a rooster who doesn't need the extra boost, and a pile of oyster shells she's clearly ignoring. It's enough to make you want to cluck in frustration. Honestly, the shell game is real, and we've all been there. I've had my own feathered friends pull this exact fowl play on me, so I feel your pain. You're smart to worry about the rooster; too much calcium can mess with his health. The trick is to offer the extra calcium separately, not mixed into the main feed.
Fresh hatchling needing a boost? Cluck-tastic tips for your little guy.
A newborn chick barely bigger than a puffball, already fighting to find his footing. That's a scene that tugs at anyone who's ever loved these quirky little dinosaurs. This little guy sounds like he needs a village, and honestly, it's heartwarming to see someone step up so quickly. The heating plate is a solid start, and the fact you're asking for help shows you've got the right instincts. We've covered plenty of chick-raising chaos in pieces like "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!", but this is a different kind of tender. Keep things warm, quiet, and consistent. Offer water and a starter crumble, maybe a touch of sugar water if he's weak.
Easter eggs for egg pecking? That cluck-tastic trick might just work
Well, here's a cluck-worthy conundrum: pullets pecking at their own eggs. I've been there, and let me tell you, it's enough to make anyone feel a little fowl. You've tried oyster shells, extra protein, and those sneaky decoy eggs. Smart moves! But now you're eyeing the free route before shelling out for golf balls or the real deal. I respect the frugal spirit. Honestly, I'm rooting for you. Sometimes the simplest tricks are the ones that work, even if they sound a bit bonkers. It's like that time we documented our own feathered fiascos in "Chickens Got Her Good!", a little trial and error never hurt anyone. So, have any of you had luck with Easter eggs?
Our gentle rooster Marto has crowed his last good morning
This morning was disturbingly quiet, and I felt that ache right along with the community. Marto, the rooster who became a beloved feathered friend, passed away yesterday, and his human is devastated. He wasn't the most confident guy, but he was good to his girls and the ducks, and that's what made him a true protector. I love that his person snuck him extra food when he was unpopular, turning a simple act into "their thing." That's the kind of bond that makes this chicken-keeping life so egg-citing and so hard. His crow song will be missed, but those ridiculous videos? Priceless. For more heartwarming flock moments, check out our piece on six fluffy chicks hatching, it's cluck-tastic. Rest easy, Marto.
When Yogurt Meets Chickens, It's a Clucking Vacuum Showdown
Yogurt for the flock, and they're going at it like tiny feathered vacuums. I love watching these goofballs discover a new treat, there's something so cluck-tastic about seeing them suck down every last drop with zero shame. It's messy, it's loud, and honestly, it's the kind of chaos I live for. If you're new to the chicken life, brace yourself: their enthusiasm for snacks is unmatched, and they will absolutely judge you if you're slow with the refill. For more feathery fun, check out our piece on "Six fluffy chicks have hatched, egg-cellent news from our feathered friends!" because, let's be real, there's no such thing as too much baby bird energy in one day.
Sunflower leaf sacrifices for the girls: now that's true fowl love
There's something deeply satisfying about pulling sunflower leaves for the girls, isn't there? It's such a simple gesture, yet it speaks volumes about the bond we share with our feathered friends. The way they peck and scratch at those big, tender leaves, completely absorbed in the moment, is pure joy to witness. It really is the little things in life that matter most, and this little act of care is a perfect reminder of that. It's also a lovely contrast to the chaos of catching a runaway hen or the surprise of a fresh egg hidden in a corner. For anyone who's ever wondered if their flock appreciates the effort, trust me, they do.