Hens Working

I've been out to the chicken pen and have fed and watered the hens. The chicks have been fed as well they were asleep and not out of water. We still need to get a top on the tote the chicks are in. Coffee brewed while I did the chicken chores so it was ready and waiting when I was done yea! Br-r it was cold out today. 27* - 47 * is today's temp. range here. 

Yesterday I cleaned the chicken run it looks better. Then I put in fresh leaves for bedding. Next I spaded up the corner garden area the hens had a great time working at getting the bugs and weed seeds out of  it. I also raked leaves from the side yard and off  the small garden spot the hens had fun investigating that as well. Then while I raked the back yard and dethatched a great work out for the arms! The hens checked out the thatch I was removing for grubs and seeds. 

We got six eggs four brown ones regular size, and two small pullet eggs, no green eggs. The two barred rock hens that are not laying have one month left here unless they start laying by the end of next month that's the dead line for the stew pot. We have to make room for the new chicks as well so this fall the others will be going to freezer camp. But we don't have to worry about for a while anyway. 

Productive Back Yard

I've been pondering my productive back yard goals... some are for this spring others for the fall and remembering some things we done in the past time for review. We used to raise rabbits for meat and fun.

I need to move some bulbs to the front yard. Our hens will have a great time digging in the dirt after I do that. Doing the rotation of hens around here needs a bit of fine tuning as we learn a bit more about the breeds we want and the limits of this size of this place we have here it's not a lot of room.

Using wood ash for the current berries and hens like to dust bath in it as well, so cleaning up and getting some of the old wood pile cleaned up is a great project and it's always fun to cook lunch over the fire pit while we have it going makes this a dual purpose activity. The apple next to the plum tree needs to be pruned back. Apricot tree got pruned back by deer. 

Making our back yard more productive a few years ago we put in more fruit trees these are great food for the birds, squirrels, and hens of course. [Not much for people however.] But the garden is good for that. I'm considering moving that into the front flower beds. I have just been putting them in with the flower beds until a few years back we had to take a tree out and that became the garden spot it's time to move it.  Last year I had a spot in the corner with pumpkin, tomatoes and squash in behind next to the current bushes. It's time to think about ground prep. for the onions. The multiplier onions the hens have ripped out so they will be in a different spot in the front along the West side I think it's pretty hot there, onions seem to tolerate the heat.

I got the rose bushes pruned late last fall, and I put in more flower bulbs so that will help with color this spring and summer bloom that is a treat to see. My irises are up and now the tulips and other bulbs are just peaking through the ground.

Eggs Galore!

We found 22 eggs today! I looked and only saw two eggs in the nest box this morning. Then later when our dear grand son went out with a friend he looked in the loft of the coop and found a stash of eggs. Today's total an amazing twenty - two eggs! ! ! The eggs found in the coop loft were all small pullet eggs. Cold however I put one of the portable nest boxes in the loft for us to look in after this hopefully the hen that's been stashing eggs in the loft will lay in that! Now I know where one of the hens was gone this morning just disappeared I looked all over for her several times have not idea where she was but around noon she showed up. I assume she came down from the loft. 


Dear grandson assured me he could climb up there and check for eggs when he was over but it seems that he had not been checking the loft as per our instructions after I put straw up there the hens had the perfect spot and they were concealed. I looked on the lower part for eggs stashed but there were none below. I have a flower pot with straw in it for them to lay in this is the first day that we found one in it too! 

We checked them to see if they floated and they did not and used a couple and seem to be fine! This is one memorable day! [They were cold; small pullet eggs.] Our grandson is taking home eighteen eggs today he had been wanting to fill one of those cartons that hold 18 eggs so we was able to fulfill that dream!   

You can bet he will be checking up there every time he is here from now on! His friend from down the street was with him to see the baby chicks after school and held the basket filling it as grandson handed him the eggs! They will both be talking about that over dinner tonight when they give the chicken and egg report! 


I think "the friendly hen" a barred rock might be in molt I had no idea how much of a challenge it was to keep hens laying consistently. Plus trying to figure out the rotation for replacement hens. Our replacement project was not the success we hoped it would be with four of the six being roosters and the hens that did start to lay are small. With only two replacements I had to think about a different plan so we bought some others this winter in December. Getting various breeds helped us to know what ones will not work out as well and we did not realize that smaller ones combined with bigger ones could be problematic as the bigger ones can be bullies; so we looked for breeds of similar size and temperament then settled on all the same ones hoping we can tell them apart when they are grown! 

I really enjoy watching the hens in the yard while I'm doing my kitchen chores! Looking out the window and seeing them. 

Eight Hens A Laying

Yesterday the coop was busy yesterday morning hens were socializing while one was laying, others waited their turn. Two of their nest boxes seem to be prime egg laying spots. 

I was SO excited to get two green eggs from the Easter Eggers [EE] that lay those eggs. It's the first time we have gotten two on the same day I am so glad the family favorite is laying now. I kept an eye on her and made sure she is laying now. We are all so happy that she is back in production again! That makes eight hens laying now out of ten. She had not been up until this week. I'm hoping the other two barred rocks that are not laying will begin again too. I overcooked mini muffins hens loved 'em! LOL!

We got a pullet eggs and two regular sized eggs also five total seems to be a common daily gathering for us. 

I can't believe how fast the chicks learn chicken behaviors! 

New Baby Chicks

I got ten Rhode Island Red baby chickens yesterday. They are fine I set them up in a tote in the basement as it's in the thirties at night here and we do not have the coop set up for a brooder yet.

I was so hoping the one of the hens would be broody but that did not happen. Sigh so we will try this. So far so good. I put dried leaves in the bottom for bedding as they try to eat what ever is on the bottom of the plastic bin and it does not have to go in the trash this way. I had the waterer, feeder, feed and heat lamp on hand from when the egg hatch failed last fall so that was a blessing.

I'm sort of wishing I would have gotten a couple more because it looks like there are at least two roos in this batch of pullets and hubby is already talking about rotating out some and freezer camp. We have differing ideas of how many to winter over! LOL!

When I was at the store there were people lining up to select their chicks, I took our grand daughter with me and she was so excited she was up at the containers for a close up look and enjoyed seeing them ducks too. I did not see any quail chicks this year. Dear grand son said the trouble with ducks is that they fly off when they are grown and gone. I had not thought of that. Well so far the chicks are easier than I thought they would be and great entertainment for the grand kids.

Cake mix cookies

Cake Mix Cookies

One yellow cake mix 
1 tea. vanilla 
1 egg
1 cube butter [melted] 

Mix well, chill 

Baking chips your favorite flavor 
Place 5-6 on each cookie. 

Bake 350* 12-15 min. 

Valentine From The Hens!

This week the hens left us a great gift on Valentine's day green egg from the Easter egger hen. So we have seven hens laying from our flock of ten.  Yea! 

I'm excited I found a chicken pattern I can use for an outline to paint on the coop this week too. Plus I might  be able to use it for a denim tote as well. I found an egg shaped cookie cutter that will be fun for the next cookie baking adventure when our dear grand daughter is over. 

We have added wood ash to the dust bathing area the hens loved that. This weekend we are going to get the top next box addition completed. Some more chicken proofing is on that list and brooder prep. as well as cleaning up coop run and nesting boxes. So we are loving the sunny weather for these actives! 

This Week

I need to take a used brick and smooth off the concrete blocks on the coop one of the hens had a hurt foot the other day so that is a just in case action if that's where she got hurt. Did that this afternoon. 

I also need to get a first aid kit for the coop. Will need to do a bit of research on that. I need to find a sue for the wood box I could put it over the hole we cut out for loft access to store hay / straw in. 

I 'd like to get a plan for the back yard, it's over grazed and the hens have dug up some onions iris bulbs are bare with out dirt on them, daffodils need to be moved to the front yard.

Clean Coop and chicken run another thing on my to do list as well. I have some leaves / mulch that need to be moved when it's a nice fifty degree day outside that is not today.

I have feed bags to make some totes from maybe the grand daughters want to have a sewing day over here after they get their sewing machine. That would be a great project for us to do.

We need to clear some things out of the big storage shed to make room for freezer camp day. 

Set up brooder as I learned this week that chicks will be in at the feed store on the nineteenth I'm hoping it will warm up by then! Wondering if we have a hen or two that might help to raise them and if we should get a few extras in case they don't all survive or if one of the mean hens kills one. I read about that happening in the Chicken magazine I got the other day.


We got three eggs today one pullet two normal size eggs. 

To Do

On this week's to do list:

Get oyster shells x = done
Get pelleted chicken feed. {I'm so glad the folks at the feed store lift that for me!} x
Get  plastic washable egg containers. {Opps I forgot to look for those!}

Clean coop run and ; nest boxes put fresh bedding in.
Finish building top nest boxes.

Today I have fed the chickens forgot to close up the gate door to the run because I was so involved in an indoor yarn project first time. I've left it open I'm so glad they are fine. [oops!]Going to try NOT to do THAT again. 

Yesterday we got four eggs I collected two and dear grand daughter collected the other two. She really enjoys feeding them and the hens are getting used to her being there and she knows the ones that she can pet! 

Six Hens A Laying

Chickens had water with out ice on it with the warmer temps. that is a nice change not having to deal with ice and snow they have been fed no eggs yet today. 45*-51* Today's temp range we got five eggs yesterday only one was a pullet egg we have six laying here for sure now! I have snow drops in bloom now and spring bulbs up yea!

Top nest box addition is in the works we have the frame from a discarded shelf needs a bottom still under construction. Our grand son is going to help with this project. It's fun to get to use tools together. I'd been wracking my brain thinking what could I do with this shelf instead of just tossing it! He came up with that while he was grilling lunch after church Sunday.

Chickens are staying in the back yard now for the most part so putting up the netting has been a success yea! As dear grand daughter called them "neighborhood chickens" the other day! The donkey on my walking route has been getting out nearly every day and ends up at the neighbors across the street they have the greenest grass. The hens are not the only escape artists! Seems to be common enough around here.

Less Range Time

I replaced the light bulb in the coop one morning this week when I was out doing chicken chores. The light in the run where they roost is okay.

I've rounded up the chickens that had escaped two times today and most are back in the pen. I've gotten the netting to put on the deck to help with keep them from getting out, until that is up they are going to be getting less and less free range time. At afternoon chore time just after school we let them out again, that was just before dark they stayed in the yard this time. Yea! Then at dusk a drizzling rain started so they came in a bit early. Hubby is figuring out how to  put up the netting on the deck but needs more daylight for this task.

The chickens are all present and accounted for and tucked in for the night. We got four eggs today and another egg broke from too much "help" the grand kids are still learning how delicate the egg shells can be. The new basket is smaller and three eggs looks like a lot in it.

I gathered two pullet eggs and three others today. Went for a walk picked up apples some one discarded half eaten for the hens, I chopped it up for their morning treat. Raked leaves and put them in the back for the chickens to scratch in today.

I got the run, coop and outside nest boxes cleaned and spiffed up the inside of the coop this week. Working on yard clean up leaf and mulch removal from the front yard now that the temps. have risen nearly up to the fifty degree mark here.

The grand kids were here helping to feed and do chicken chores and seeing which chickens they could pet! Enticing them with food helps them to accomplish this goal and coming in the coop while I do chores. They have earned the dozen eggs they took home.

Tall Roost

This weekend we got the coop and chicken run cleaned. Did some yard work and mulching the beds in the back yard the hens and grand kids are helping me with cleaning the leaves from the beds in the front yard we are doing a bit at a time. 

Dropped one egg of the five we collected, only the 2nd one one we've had break. Dear grand daughter found a fun basket to use when she collects eggs it's white with tiny blue flowers painted on it. 

This week we will be working on cleaning out the nest boxes they were in use yesterday when we were outside doing yard work. Today it's a bit colder this morning we've had a skiff of new snow on the ground. It's nearly gone now. The hens slept out side again on their favorite spot on the tall roost. 

Rain

We have rain here well it's more of a drizzle I can tell that it has been raining because of the puddles we saw along side the road when we came home this morning 39-44* today's temps. range and for most of the week and quite a bit of rain. The grand kids helped with the chores, chickens light is on and next up will be getting the morning eggs, giving them some scratch and letting them out to range in the back yard mid morning. I might be raking up some leaves and doing some clean up. After the rain stopped and I got busy and cleaned the coop now that the temps. are above freezing it's nice to get outside. I removed the temporary roost for the cold snap we had put inside the coop, now it will be SO much easier to gather eggs and clean nest boxes out now.

Yesterday while we were out doing chicken chores hubby left a message he bought a turkey and to remind him to take it out of the back of the truck, dear grand son and I were excited to see if it was a live one or not, it was not. We put it in the freezer. One of the guys at work did not need the one he got for turkey day, hubby likes to smoke them on the grill.

I still have a spot in the fence to chicken proof and after doing that taa - daa no more escaping hens! Yea! We got five eggs today three large one and two pullet eggs.

Herding Hens

The chickens got out yesterday again a couple of times before I found the escape spot and secured the gate. They loved the warmth of the south lawn in the front and were happily scratching for bugs clearing leaves out of the front beds. Pecking in the driveway for gravel but when one got out in the road I had to take more immediate action. The neighbors grin as they drive by watching me trying to "herd" my hens only slightly easier than herding cats! They do come for feed unless they have discovered something really yummy in the garden of flower beds.

I got the leaves raked up that they scattered about the front lawn and it looks better it felt great to be doing yard work in the sunshine. Compared to the temps. we've had this past week 47* felt like summer loving that time for fresh air and exercise out side was good for all of us. This is great exercise for me!

So today I'll be checking fence lines to make sure they are secure and get treats thawing from the freezer and other fun things for the chickens to have in the pen to keep them interested in that while I do this. It's time to clean the run I did a bit of that yesterday will keep working at it a bit each day that we have above freezing making progress as I can. 

We need to see what we can do for the brooder prep. for chicks later on when it warms up a bit more. We were talking about that yesterday the stores will have chicks soon in the feed stores that is exciting to think about. We need to "make room". 


Tonight when I closed the coop the chickens were all tucked in for the night I noticed that some are sleeping outside others were in the coop, two here and three there, they have spread out now that it's warmed up they, do not need to huddle together for warmth. I put the tall roost back in today. Tomorrow I'll switch out the ladder roosts. 

Another New Layer

The second hen from the new ones we raised has started laying this week there were two small eggs in the chicken coop yesterday morning one is a slightly darker color than the first one. What a nice surprise to begin the day with! I thought the grand kids might enjoy seeing these smaller baby sized eggs I was right they love it! They can't wait to show the other granny and their parents these newest eggs. We will have to think of some thing special to use these ones for. We got five eggs and it's nice not to have to buy them at the store. 

The chickens have been faring well in the most recent cold snap that we've had. Getting out for exercise during the day sill even with snow and ice on the ground was amazing to watch. We got some video and photos of that hoping to put those up when I can figure out how or get help from our son the local tech. guy in the family. 

Escape Artists

The neighbor from across the street knocked on the door to let us know that the chickens were out. The chickens had fun today they got out twice today. I got them rounded up around noon and when I checked a couple hours later I noticed that they were out again, that was just before the bus got here so our grand son helped get them back in that time. They were scratching in the leaves in the front yard and in the neighbors front yard as well. Our next door neighbors do not mind when the hens are out on bug patrol so it's not a problem. 

I secured the gate so the wind would not blow it open that was simple enough. I noticed a chicken was out, and could not get it back in went back to raking leaves for a bit and then noticed another and another were out. I watched one got back in through the escape spot. 
I got them rounded up and back in then blocked that spot where they are getting out. 

We're still getting eggs yea! Another doz. for the week most recent counts are three on Tuesday, four yesterday, and four so far today. 

New Layer

This week we have a new layer one of the young hens we raised has started laying. Our grandson was doing chores and forgot the egg gathering basket that we use. He checked on the chickens and fed them their treats and came back with four eggs in his pockets! Beaming ear to ear saying the the new hen had laid another one of the small eggs! We have gotten two eggs like this so far this week they are about half the size of the other eggs. I'm thinking these are the size of a Banty egg. They are beige in color. Yea! We are  SO excited. 

I heard lots of cackling going on in the coop the morning we got the first one that was great to hear! I can't wait to show our grand daughter these. Hubby said that it will take two of those to make up a regular size egg for cooking with. We got five eggs yesterday. It was a happy day!

It's warmed up a bit and we have some green grass showing through the snow and the hens are happy now. Next week will be even warmer and we will be glad to say good bye to the ice and snow that we have had during this cold snap. But the chickens are doing fine.

Duck Duck Goose

We use to play this game in the snow when I was a kid called duck duck goose we had stomped the snow in to paths the shape of a wheel with spokes. We were supposed to stay on the path to try to tag others. The back yard looks like that with paths for the chickens to use. I thought of that when I looked out at our yard seeing the paths on the snow covered grass.

Our grand daughter was telling the chickens to "stay on the path" today when we were out doing chicken chores. They have taken a walk on the path around the yard today, eaten from the bare spots left from moving the wagons and a toy ball. The draw back to that is the pellets crumble from the moisture I forgot to to take that into consideration! The chickens are doing fine in the snow especially today with the sun out and the temps. warmed up to 32* but the snow did not all melt. Maybe tomorrow then it will be back to normal messiness. I spotted some deer tracks in the snow this morning when I was doing the chicken chore rounds. We shoveled snow for two neighbors today on our street. We got three eggs today.

Snow Today!

We have snow again today and it's been snowing all morning. When it finally stopped this afternoon we have two inches of the white stuff here. I've been out several times to clear it off the walkway, steps, patio, drive way and I broomed a path to the chicken run and around the outside of the yard. So when it starts to melt that will be cleared. We had a winter weather advisory out. I did not think much about it because I thought we were supposed to get melting temps. but that was not the case.

Our youngest grand daughter and I went out to check on the chickens give them fresh water and we scattered feed on the path that had been swept off; most the chickens were along the house under the eves except one on the nest and another in the roost did not want to deal with the cold snow I think. A couple were on patrol chasing birds off the the path getting the smaller birds to scatter.

The chickens have eaten one feeder full of feed their ration for the day so I know they are not going hungry.  We got 5 eggs today yea the most we've ever gotten so we are doing something right!

Chicken Spa

I've been out to the chicken pen with feed and water it's lovely to see the fresh snow again today, I could enjoy the morning stillness and the peacefulness of a new day. The chickens got up and out of the coop to greet the new day. 

They came into the run one by one for feed and water as I watched and then went back inside for a bit. They are enjoying the new feed. They all came of the chicken run when I opened up the coop door for range time they were out of it in not time and made a dash for under the deck. 

They fluffed their feathers under the deck they enjoyed the spa time having a dust bath followed by feather fluff time under the dryer vent totally ignoring the snow that was falling outside.   We got four eggs yesterday. 

Gift Giving

It's cold here today the water inside the chicken coop was frozen this morning I had a fresh supply of warm water and feed with me when I went out today first thing.  New snow less than an inch here they call it the banana belt here, all around in the higher elevations they are measuring snow in feet and  inches. The chickens did great in the snow here we got two eggs. They all came out of the coop and did their scratch and peck thing. When I open the kitchen door it squeaks just a bit the hens come running across the yard if it's during their range time thinking it's treat time for them. 

This fall they have done a good job cleaning out the flower beds from weeds and bugs maybe a bit too good a few bulbs have been unearthed that I planted before getting them so I'll be rethinking that a bit in the spring and moving some bulbs.  

Today I got sweet C.O.B. [corn, oats & barley] for the chickens something new for me to get for them but the store said people buy it all the time for chickens. It sure smells good and yummy! I can't wait to see how they react. The last that I got was not sweet did not have molasses added. I still feel silly getting a 55 lb. sack of feed for this few hens but they eventually eat it it does take a few months. 

On our list was a new hatchet handle but we were unable to find one so the hunt is on hubby is having a blast going to all the sporting goods store in his quest for this item. The one sporting goods shop was packed and they were lined up at the gun counter and ammo was stacked up with a sign that said while supplies last it was the busiest I've ever see it in there!

This afternoon I got to show off my chickens to some folks up the road with their kids and they said his dad wants some so they were talking about chicks for him I suggested a gift certificate and taking the grand kids with when he got the chicks instead of buying them for him in case he is not set up and told them how long it took us to get ready. As they might not know what breed he wanted they said that they would ask him. 

Winter Returns

A skiff of snow on the ground this morning melted off soon except in the shade by midday. The chickens enjoyed the berries after they figured out what they were, it seemed like a new food to them. I cooked up a pumpkin after I de-seeded it, and a squash went out for them to eat this afternoon. 

I got one egg this morning and the others later in the day after school our grandson said "it's warm" when he collected them he was so amazed, we got three today. I told him that is as fresh as they come! I discovered which of the other hens is laying now, it took the place of the one green egg we were getting one of the Barred Rocks as I suspected. The chickens did a lot of cackling today, one time I went outside and saw one of the hens out on the patio trying to get in, and just as I opened the gate a small hawk flew off. 

Tonight when I went out to the chicken coop I noticed that the hens were perched in a different that was spot closer to the light. I'm thinking it might be a good night to leave it on. I moved the water and feeders so it was not directly under them.  

Signs of Spring

The snow has melted and temps warmed up for a few days at least. The rain yesterday did not bother the chickens at all they were out in the yard in it doing their hunting and pecking. Spring song birds are back this week I've been seeing them around quite a bit here this week and squirrels too. We got three eggs yesterday completing the doz. plus one for the week. Yea! Our grand son collected those we only got one the day before. Berries thawed from the freezer will be some of the treats today. Our dear grand daughter carefully collected and carried in one of the four eggs we collected today after taking out the scraps for the hens. Today we made up some cookie dough with eggs from the coop gathered last week. The chickens like to climb up on the hay bale where the feeder is to eat. I spiffed up the nest box and clean around the coop and in the chicken run this afternoon.

Chickens in the Snow!

Today we have the first snow of the season. I'm SO glad we have the coop prepared and all ready for this so I don't have to do the mad dash trying to get things done in the snowy cold weather. Thinking ahead and our planning has paid off. But it would have been fine we opened up the run the chickens checked out the snow and then headed for the cover under the deck! 

This weekend we had to say good bye to the last rooster before he went to freezer camp. I cried the night before sad that it did not work out we would not get chicks from him and that he was beating up the hens. The next day when he flew at me as I separated the hens out for free range time I was warming up to the idea. For the safety of the grand children it had to be done.  After the deed was done the hens settled in so quickly into the new routine I was surprised. It was so quiet and peaceful the rest of the day and this morning as well that was a pleasant change.  

The new development of snow was exciting for our granddaughter to feed the chickens their treats. No eggs this morning however. =(  Hopefully when the snow turns to rain later on according to our forecast for today we will get some eggs. Yea! Got three eggs today our grand daughter was so excited to find these and she carefully collected them in the egg basket and carried them back to the house, saying "These need to be washed grandma!" 

I've been doing research of chicken breads hoping I can find some production red hens or chicks locally. But first we have to make room before that can happen.

Planing & Tweaks

Yesterday we got the hardware to suspend the ladder we've hung vertical for a roost. We also got hook & eye for the top door there is not a way to close just the top of the half door set up we have on the coop. We got chain also to hang the ladder with and secure the door outside when it's open from blowing shut possibly hurting a chicken. I've been using a stump of wood from the maple tree we took down a couple years ago. Limbs from that we saved have come in handy for a number of uses. I cleaned the nest boxes and the coop floor. On thing about the vinyl flooring is that it's slick trying to think of something with more traction. So we are doing some tweaking to the set up. 

Over breakfast we talked about how and where to put the brooder chicks the loft area could be used for that hubby said I assume he has a design in mind. I like to see it drawn out on paper for a better idea of what he is thinking. We also discussed chicken breed choices and how the goals of the flock work in with what we actually have which birds to cull and general flock management finally getting on the same page might help with some of these ideas. I'm learning as I go. [I'll read some thing or see a u-tube video and think wow that's a great idea I need to try that! Just because some thing works for one person does not always mean it will work here for us in this situation. Light bulb moment.]

I brought home scraps from the bday dinner for the chickens to eat. Got four eggs none of them from the Easter eggers. So that means one of the other hens has started laying again I'm excited about that. I can't believe how long it's taking the Morans chicks we bought last fall at 4-6 weeks old to mature at 6 mo. no eggs from them yet of the six I bought only two turn out to be hens. 

Today's temp. range 31*-38* the neighbors dogs were up before the chickens today. 

(45) Nancy Smith

I'm trying a link w/ my fb page to show of a photo of the coop in the back yard after we got the playhouse converted in to a chicken coop. The photo program on my p/c is not as good as I'd like and can't get the phone to sync my pics. so I have our son take some when he comes with his camera. 

(45) Nancy Smith 

The first Doz. Eggs!

Today we slept in I, let the chickens sleep in too, so the  neighbors did as well. =D The chickens barely had the light on this morning on. I let them out early at sunrise today. Hoping to get the roo to stop pecking the hens. 

It's 31* out the water was not frozen today and we are expecting 38* for a high temp. so this is shaping up to be a good day. Wind is dropping the temps. down a bit today so the outside water was frozen. 

We are hoping to get some eggs to try to hatch next month. 

This week has been successful in training the chickens to use the coop after we opened it up with the chicken door we cut into the run they were still roosting & laying eggs in the outside part. That was fine until the temps. dropped so we took those roosts down put a light up and they started using the coop. We were going to do that for a week but the caught on after three days! 

Today's Excitement

This morning's excitement was the neighbor kids set off an M-80 fire work this morning just after I was up doing chicken chores. Ack! Twice what a way to begin the day. That got my heart going! 

Other day I had to lift one of the hens out of the coop loft so I used some pieces of tree limbs we had here for the grand kids to make a tee pee with in for them to use in place of a ladder for the loft until we get one done for that top section. 

Opening the coop door out to the chicken run went smoother than I was thinking it would this morning so that was great! We will be getting material for slats on the chicken door that doubles as a ramp for them and put that on soon. I have not used the hook on the people door yet since we put that in. 

I've been watching westerns and civil war movies with hubby and dear grand son [dgs] we like to see the chickens in farm scenes and try to identify the breeds, ones that I enjoyed a lot were in the Hatfields and Macoys mini series when they did chicken chores and seeing the chickens run across their yard the many colors were fun to watch! 

I forgot to mention the time I did some dumpster diving for pumpkins for the chickens the guy up the street said I could have theirs when they were done with them for Halloween I got them last year and this year his wife did not get the message and they were at his work so we went after those with permission I mostly wanted them for the new kinds of squash I'd not grown here. So I'll be processing the rest of those this month.

I made out a list of chicken goals in my off line journal one of those was to chick proof the back yard, and get a brooder set up we have not done the brooder with chicks yet was sort of hoping to bypass that with the setting hen. 

Got three eggs today all beige ones no green ones only got one all week. Glad the others have been producing with this cold snap. It's supposed to warm up and by mid week be nearly fifty that will be nice but rain is in the forecast.  

Today I set the small feeder on a small bale of hay and they came in a few at a time hopped up on there and ate got some water and left the run area it worked great for keeping things peaceful away from the heard mentality. I'd like to have 13 birds 12 hens and one roo but that is just pushing it a bit much for the size of yard we have. May have to cut back a bit. 

I'm looking forward to the help of the birds to get the bugs and apples and other wind fall fruit that starts in June. Can't wait to see how they take care of the ants!!! 

Road Kill Pumpkin

The grand kids were here today and the youngest one got to collect the eggs today on different trips out to the coop. They were so excited about it they called their dad to tell him about it.

I cooked up a large squash I grew in the garden last summer got three gallons from it. We got a couple of pumpkins from the road side in Nov. and gave them to the chickens the last of that is gone and we have some seedy grapes not very tasty to use but the chickens love them and reject pancakes the grands don't want!

Two eggs today beige ones. [Not the green ones this week; we only got one of the green ones from the Easter Eggers.]

The barred rocks seem to be getting back in to production. We have enjoyed the first of the boiled eggs for breakfast and in tuna salad sandwiches in our meals this week.

Hubby said that the rooster's days are numbered he has been pecking the hens he has been limping also.

Hubby got the chicken door hinges and the latch on the inside of the main coop door. They were milling around the run and using the outside nest boxes for warmth. As soon as we finished up with this and cleared tools out and and put the roost ladder back up they lined up and piled in to the coop.  We still need to get the knob on the chicken door maybe tomorrow.

Chicken Happenings

I'm get up to do pet chores around five. Turning on the light in the coop. Then letting them out in to the run at day break.

This week temps. range 18*-34* and it was windy making it feel like 27* the house was a great wind break for them. We are looking forward to the warmer temps. up around 40* this weekend and next week.

Our flock goals are eggs and meat. Learned that Rhode Island Reds [RIR] lay nearly double what one of the breeds we currently have I was already considering replacing them with it's great to have another confirmation of that info.

Got a suggestion of putting roo in the garage got me to thinking that of putting Red our rooster, frequently called Red the roo by me, in the coop at night with the hens seems to be working. I open up the coop door and let them out in the run in the morning. It's a new routine that is going well. Hubby let me know that they did chores earlier than that on the farm than we did when I was a kid.

This week one of our goals is to get hinges on the coop chicken door so we can open and close it from outside the pen. I had the hinges here for the chicken door already found them today yea! Hubby is working on that and got the cabinet door off the inside of the playhouse to re-purpose for some thing else like a ramp out to the chicken run.

The roo and two of his hatch mates are French Black Copper Marans (FBCM). I'm told that they lay the very dark, chocolate colored eggs, I also have Easter Egger [EE] for novelty breeds.  Some folks are breeding these for a bird that lays an olive colored egg. I do not care for that color of egg so will not be trying to hatch the green eggs those will be eating eggs here!

Today I discovered that one of the older barred rocks that molted last fall was in the nest box today; yea for another hen laying. Two beige eggs today our dear grand son gathered those for me and checked the loft area while he was here. Last week we got four green eggs only one this week.


Oatmeal ready to warm for chocks I learned on U-tube that's what Aussies call their chickens. made it from the steams rolled oat and wheat mix I give to the chickens.

This New Years Day hubby grilled some chicken breasts he had his on a bun yum! I made chicken soup yesterday for us great for these cold winter days sure hit the spot.

Chicken News

Welcome to my chicken blog! Today's news about the chickens is great! I'm glad they were locked in the coop with all the fireworks going on in our neighborhood last night. 

Hubby got up and turned on the light first thing around six for me today. Then I got up at 6:15 rounded up the food and water bucket took that out opened up the door to the run after putting the roost back up and the chickens are out in the run this morning. The water inside water the coop was not frozen. So it's all good. They got two heals of bread apple core pumpkin a combo of pellets scratch grains rolled oat mix grit and oyster shell. 

Yesterdays egg count four all found in the coop this is the first time they have laid in the new nest boxes in the coop I was very excited! Three in the morning and one later in the day. One hen lays in the afternoon. So I'm happy with the four new hens my Christmas gift to myself! 

Goals:
We need to get hinges on the coop door and a latch so we can open it from the outside and don't have to keep taking down moving and putting up the roosts. But I got chickens for more exercise so I'm not complaining! 

Later on when the weather warms up I have paint for the inside of the coop when it's warm enough for them to be outside at night again. [They think that's this week LOL!]

I'd like to get some RIR Rhode Island Red that lay the darker eggs like we had when I was a kid. I remember getting eggs even in the winter with snow on the ground. Hubby's family had leghorns. I'm considering getting those as well for replacement stock. 

We need to get a better roosting set up for inside the coop at some point. 

Breeds we have: Someone the other day asked what breed we have I said barn yard mix when I got them I said I want one of those some of these and that one! Chicken count 12 one roo 11 hens I was hoping for 13 one roo [rooster] and 12 hens but this will work. 

Morans 3 youngsters
BR Barred Rock 4 hens *
EE Easter Eggers 3 hens One young one 2 adult older ones *
Australorp 1 Young hen *
Lt. Brama 1 Experienced Sitting hen *

* We have one of each these breeds laying eggs getting a greenish egg from the EE hen.
The family has given them all food names. 

First Night In The Coop!

Today it's a marvelous day it's clear out and the moon was full when we were out working in the chicken's run this morning around six. When I got up hubby was getting the outside roost, ramps and out side light cord set up and ready to use the moon was full and it was lovely. We are changing up their routine a bit this week. Up until now they have been roosting outside. In this two stage process we got the run done first. 

We had agreed that I would do the roosts and ramps when I got up to open the chicken door to the run he did all the while I was asleep! We are glad the chickens settled in and slept well. They all spent the first night inside. We had to close the doors to the run to accomplish this. We are at our forecast high temp. 28* before day break today they said 11* for a low tomorrow that's it's been changed to 17* we are getting ready for cold temps here this week. 

Yesterday we set up a roost on some 2" x 4" pieces on a sawhorse because we have not finalized the plan for the winter roosting and do not have the ramp done for the loft area so we will work on that later for now they have managed to get up there. We are in the process of finalizing the plan for the inside winter roosting we were thinking that we would do that later for winter use and the time is now! So this play is a work in progress as time goes on we make improvements.  

I changed from the fount to plastic ice cream and happy meal buckets for watering this fall. The chicken's water did not freeze in the coop last night. The water out side was froze in their water bucket but the one inside was not! Yea for a plan working! I've filled their water buckets with warm water [it takes longer to freeze] feeder and moved the 2nd one out side to the chicken run. It's clear out and the moon was fill when we were out working on this around six. 

We have one home made wooden feeder hanging inside the coop and another portable one I move around as needed. I put it out into the run I also fed them the apple core and have pumpkin read to go out later today just before they get to free range in the back yard. Then have been munching on my herbs too. 

Chicken Update

We got some chickens from a gal that was moving Barred rocks and Easter eggers in Oct. then they started to molt, we knew they would not lay so we did not put up a light. It was fun learning the schedule watching them hunt and peck for bugs and feeding them scratch a favorite after school activity for the grand kids; and grown ups learned how much fun it was to give them scraps as well!   

They are well and we've enjoyed having these birds. We lost one hen to old age. We've been reading researching and studying up on chickens, breeds and found a magazine on Chickens.

I got some 4 week old Morans "pullets" to add for summer laying; out of those 6 only 2 were actually females when those reached teenage they started fighting even the females. One afternoon we came home and saw a bloodied bird called the breeder to return the two worst fighters. At six months I started to wonder so where are the eggs? I got impatient and two of the roos learned to crow! I'm SO glad it's okay to have roos where we live. We enjoyed watching the the 2 Morans hens chase off cats and other wild birds from the back yard. They are they help police the area. One of the roo's is no longer here.  

I've been feeding them scratch, pelleted chicken feed flock raiser, some layer feed now, oyster shells, grit, and COB type feed only it's steamed rolled oats and wheat, found some other that has corn and molasses later.  They love other back yard goodness like apples, currents, grapes, berries, and pumpkin! 

I found some other hens for sale more folks moving and added to the flock a  Lt. Brama a sitting hen that's an experienced mama that's raised chicks very exciting,  another Easter egger producing a green egg, and barred rock laying some pinkish hued eggs for us to replace the one we lost, an Australorp lays lt. beige eggs it's fun to see what this breed is like. So from these four new hens we are getting a doz. eggs a week now. Yea!!!  We converted the play house in to a coop getting the free cupboard the neighbors took out for nest boxes, a chicken door we cut to the run, and put up a light and heat lamp in case of a cold snap this winter it was exciting getting ready for the new chickens and spring chicks!  

It's time to think about some replacement stock oh the choices. Studying the catalogue is a favorite pass time these days. At the feed store yesterday when I was picking up more feed they said that an order for the spring chicks was just called in and will be in around mid Feb. so that's exciting! 

Chicken Coop Project

We've been working on a chicken run this summer. 

St. Ignatius

I've been thinking of when we went to the mission at St. Ignatius in western Montana on our motor cycles. Found this video on U tube with western music. It's lovely others of the church at the mission that's all I knew about St. Ignatius until I discovered a priest on the catholic channel talking about the principals of that St. I'm not catholic so I hope that's the correct term.

I looked up more info. on the web. and St. Ignatius goes way back in time to like the 13th or 14th century I've learned a lot! Got some good insight and things to think about of a spiritual nature. I'm happy to say I learned something this week of value!

St. Ignatius is near Flat head lake not far from Glacier Montana.

http://glaciernationalpark.blogspot.com/

Veterans Day Activities

There is no school here for Veteran's day the kids in the local elementary school did a program a singing concert to honor the Veteran's Thursday evening our grand son sang and I saw some of the neighborhood kids in it too.

Friday in the area there is a parade mid day the local news has been talking about it this week. Area cafes have free meals for Veterans too. We are thinking of the ones coming home for the holidays this year! Yea and thank you to all the Veterans!

Note tried to make this red white and blue that seems to be broken today. Bummer!

Happy Feet

"For just as strolling, walking, and running are physical exercises, so spiritual exercises are methods of preparing and disposing the soul to free itself from all inordinate attachments, and after accomplishing this, of seeking and discovering the Divine Will regarding the disposition of one's life, thus insuring the salvation of his soul." St. Ignatius of Loyola


Time for my walk and raking leaves to think on some of these things today I'm considering options ideas and fun things to put on the schedule!


I'm assembling some ideas for a fun girls night in pedicures getting a basket, tray of things for these and the happy feet movie would be fun, seeing the new Happy Feet 2 movie would be awesome to do with the kids or grand kids too. Maybe give mom a night off for a nice long soak in the tub.

Working Out Fall

Tweaking my Fall work out routines as the days are cooler and day light savings time has ended I am seeing the need for more indoor working out routines. Today is great leaves to be raked awaiting the descent from the trees. Fall color is in it's peek around here. I've adopted our Total Gym  and have been using it; I threatened to paint it pink, it's great for my upper arm workout and modified push ups and pull down for my lats. Using it and an older style exercise bike I found at a great price in a yard sale last summer. It's great on days that it's too hot cold or my foot bothers me and walking is not as easy. 


The days and times I do my daily walks it's fun I see birds squirrels and deer on my route by our house.  Pumpkins are vanishing from door steps of neighbors. Our grand kids love the flag foot, basket ball and volley ball fall season sports activities are upon us.  


We did not buy a bag of candy this year as we've not had any door knockers here the past few years; they've migrated to the down town businesses or private parties or at collage campus for a canned food donation for the food bank kids can go door to door at the dorm for candy and warmth you can't beat that! We do not need the candy in the house. 


We are enjoying the 50* weather focusing on the positive things here helps. I'm trying to revamp my cyber reminder card for Spa Week and create baskets for that in them like foot pampering list that's being assembled in my mind. Plus a gratitude list is about to begin a great month to focus on that. 


I took a break from this and blogged on the D-life web site for a while. 
I'm on Facebook. 

Happy New Year

A new year is here and the snow is gone it's all melted off now. It was 55* here yesterday the neighbor said while I was out on my walk. I got a Christmas card from my aunt today I just put away my Christmas cards yesterday. The mini table top tree is down the lights gave out so they went in the trash at least they made it almost until New Years Eve this year. We had a couple of inches of snow on New Years Eve this year. It was great exercise to shovel off the driveway, steps, and the patio. 

Christmas went better than I thought it was going to that was great news. We enjoyed seeing the lights at the park one evening while it was still cold out and before it snowed and still felt like winter. I've been putting up the new photos we got in cards over the holidays. So glad for the extra 1/2 hr. of day light we are getting now. I saw some robins last week and other flocks of birds heading North that's encouraging. Next week we have two birthdays on the same day so we are getting ready for that.

Our son did a polar bear dip on New Year's Day with one of his friends. Br-r is all I can say about that! Hubby helped a neighbor working on another neighbor lady's tire that was flat and would now come off. They got it changed but not before getting drenched in a down pour that blew in. It was done shortly after we were all soaking wet of course. He went on a motor cycle ride today. Had a hard time deciding if he would go fishing or do the ride. Nice weather like we have been having is a gift! 

Turkey Thursday

The first time I did a family dinner and cooked at our house, I forgot to take the gibblet bag out of the turkey cavity. When we were starting out own family traditions after our kids were born I invited family down and put the turkey in the oven on a low setting like 250* and it cooked all night, the house smelled wonderful when we got up the next morning. There was no carving this turkey it just fell apart and we pulled the bones out and scooped the meat on a platter, our parent brought the side dishes.

We like turkey so much one winter we had five in the freezer. Hubby and I both got one at work, we got a free one with the groceries, and our son got one from work too. That turkey lasted until the 4th of July! The surprising thing is that we never did get sick of it. Another year my sis brought one from a hunt in St. Maries, Idaho she killed. It was my first taste of wild turkey!

This year I did the sides and our son cooked the turkey and brought it over he lives near by. Our daughter and family came too they also live in town. The great thing is that no one had to drive more than three miles. All my friends are jelous because I can see the grand kids when ever I want. Dinner was a success this year and I'm adding fish next year saw on the history channel that they had Lobster in the first Turkey day feast so we can have prawns or some thing like that.

Christmas Fun

When I was young during the holidays we tried to get a tree in the woods. The snow was three feet deep in the mountains we got stuck, we had to buy a tree that year. One family we knew would get one from the farm they usually ended up with a ‘Charlie Brown’ tree that was to be thinned so the other trees would have more room these sad looking little trees were just as loved as the expensive ones from the expensive tree lots in town. I remember doing this with your dad and aunt one year and the dog we went to a tree farm and selected a tree.

Later that tree farm closed after they sold off all the trees it became a gold course for a while any way. It’s on the way to Missoula and we talk about it almost every time we go that way.

Other things we did was to go to the boat parade late November now it used to be in December right before Christmas but got so cold people quit doing that and they started doing it again this year and moved it up.

When we were kids we would go to the Santa parade early December. Santa came to town on a fire truck and his helper elves passed out bags of candy for all the kids. We lived in a small town and the city council did this with the help of the volunteer fire department we all got tickets for the event at school.

My mom was from the south and an excellent cook, her mom {my grandma} made peanut brittle from peanuts they had grown for us one year. I’d never seen home grown peanuts before being from the north.

My mom and other grandma both had restaurant cooking experience with pies bread rolls etc. food was one of the focal points of the holiday pies and other baked gooey goodies were the highlight of the season. They did not make home made candy fudge etc. but did dip some pretzels, nuts, Ritz and peanut butter crackers, in candy coating, put with cookies as a gift on a plate this was a hit

with all who received it. Another year she made up bread and it was given on a home made bread board a family member had hand crafted in the shop that fall.

December was one of the best months of the year for me because sledding season would begin on our new sled with mittens Gram had knitted going down the hills in our town and then coming home mom and gram would have hot cocoa waiting for us!

Another year when I was in jr. high we went to the other side of the state [Washington] where a great uncle of mine had and apple orchard in Wenatchee, grandma could not stand to see the apples on the ground going to waste so we picked up apples and those went into pies that grandma made that thanksgiving and Christmas that season.

I bake cookies up from the dough you can buy and make up several kinds I used to call myself “the slice and bake cookie queen”. I’ve even been known to show up at a track met with some and all the kids on the team would call me mom! At Christmas I mix in some sugar cookies that I’ve got from the store and mix them in the cookie tin sometimes it’s been returned for a “refill” and we take these to gatherings of friends family and groups clubs and other meetings at work.

One year even participated in a “cookie exchange party” it was a bit of a disappointment for me that year because it was the year the oven went out I had to order mine from a bakery they were excellent but I caught flack from the other gals there. Mine were better than some that were awful and tasted like smoke! Yuck! Those had to be tossed.

Special memories I have from when I was little one of my favorite Christmas memories was being in a Christmas pageant at Church complete with costumes, the one that stands out in my mind the most was the year I got to be an angel and we went in costume and stood in a field they took slides, still pictures of us, and showed these as someone read the Christmas story, on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Eve service was one of the best most attended services of the year, one year in high school I went to midnight mass with my friends. Came home and our folks would the all night toy assembly!

Now days I add peanuts to Chex snack mix and put it in jars and everyone loves it. I get a few bags ahead that I’ve sewn up, or put in jars usually plastic and bring these to gatherings of family and friends. Something fun I did this year was to pick black berries when grandpa was fishing and gave them to friends in the neighborhood I see on my walk. They love ‘em for pies cobbler and other holiday baking. I’m happy because I made room for the turkey!

This year I found out about a children’s book called Fancy Nancy maybe you have seen these at the School library I would have loved to get those when I was a kid!