Soft Shell

 Hoping to get some new technology by fall so I can put up some chicken videos, & pic. 

The other day a chicken laid an egg directly in front of me, it was a soft shelled one. So I upped the amount of oyster shells in with their feed. That was amazing and I could tell that she was one of the hens with the crook in her comb. 

I've been getting between 4-6 eggs a day this week. Only the EE is laying from the older hens. 

Hubby brought home a cage to use for chicks or isolation from a guy at work that wanted to trade it for eggs. I have sent the first doz. with hubby to work for the guy. He lives in the city limits and cannot have chickens and is really missing the fresh eggs. I was glad to hear that he did not mind green eggs! 

Grand kids have been having fun helping to feed and gather eggs naming the chickens that are their favorites. It's a challenge to tell them apart with most all of them the same breed this year. 

Ours do not like the frozen treats so much in the hot weather they wait until the treats of frozen fruit are thawed to eat it. 

Double

Double yolker egg today elongated shaped. That was a fun one to find it was an elongated egg more so than the average egg. Last night I put my gloves on and picked up the broody hen briefly so I could check her eggs and she had two pullet eggs in her nest so she's sitting on three eggs now. So the new hens have been laying for a week now. 

I got some herb plants marked down one each of lemon thyme and regular thyme planted those in the front yard, where the chickens will not eat them so much. 

At the farmers market I got some zucchini  Swiss chard, and carrots. Then I realized after I got home that I should have had the guy leave the tops on the carrots when he asked I could have given them to the chickens! 

I dropped of feed sacks to the gal that uses them to make feed sack totes and next time I'll ask if she does the feed sack aprons. Picked up another sack of feed while we were down town. This one is a new design! 

Egg-citing News!

Exciting news here from the hen house! Loud clucking was heard this morning and one of the new Rhode Island Red [RIR] pullets has laid an egg; so at 22-23 weeks we have a new productive batch of hens here! Yippie!  I suppose it is so silly to get this excited over such a tiny egg golf ball sized egg! I noticed she had been hanging out around the hen house a lot lately sitting in the nest boxes and being friendly with the others that were sitting & laying.  Our 5 year old grand daughter found it and was the most excited! We got 3 eggs yesterday one green one the Easter Egger has been laying really consistently this week. Plus one beige egg with a pointy end I'm trying to figure out which hen lays that one. 

While I was out in the yard I found a pink tomato but the chickens found it first and was 3/4ths of the way eaten; but I'm in such a good mood about having a new layer I'll forgive them this time. I put the tomato cage up it needs to be wrapped with netting still. That will be next up on my to do list.

When I was out in the yard the other broody hen came flying over the fence from next door clucking loudly as if to say "I'm home!" I had to step back because I was in her "flight path" so she could have a safe landing! She was home for food and water.

Other neighbors have their house up for sale and are clearing out stuff and I got a couple of new to me egg gathering baskets and crock pot for the chickens water-er in the winter to keep that from freezing. I'm going to try that out hoping it's not too hot.  I have sun tea brewing on the deck now so I'll be sipping on that soon. 

Looking forward to the farmers markets this weekend. Today one of the roos woke me up at 5:15 sort of a squack not really a crow; he's still learning. I'm not sure if it was Stewie or Golden Boy there are two I think are roos in this batch. It's time to think about getting their pen ready to go. The hen coop needs to be repainted. 

Fence Fixing and other 4th Activities

Yesterday our five year old grand daughter helped me fix the fence. Doesn't every farm girl fix fence at some point in her life on the 4th even plastic fences count! Then I cleaned up under the roost and moved a the feeders into the wagons and while I did that the chickens thought that was great fun to get up in the wagon to eat!  

I heard the the boody hen off her nest clucking in the back yard so I scurried out to take a look - see I was amazed at how many eggs she had in her clutch I counted between 9 to12 she was in a spot hard to see and took a pic of it but you could not tell much from it. 

We picked apples for the chickens to eat and took photos of the red tomato, and sunflowers in the yard and baked up come cookies for other fun activities. 

The chickens survived another loud night of fire works from the streets in front and behind us. Some one had a radio going and that seemed to help calm the chickens down some what. I will be glad when the fireworks are done especially the really loud ones! 

Chickens and Fireworks

This is the first 4th we've had chickens. lots of our neighbors are avid fireworks fans so I've been nervous about this holiday week. So last night I rounded up the chickens early and got them in to their run before the noise began. I must admit this is my least favorite holiday.  

Some kids buzzing around on an obnoxiously loud mini bike past the cop's house and he was out with a couple of chirps of his siren and lights going  and after their second trip round the block  they stopped. 

Today I've fed the chickens a bit late they were squawking to get out. They were okay after the fireworks not much worse than a T-storm here last night. I got them rounded up and in the run pen a bit early last night. But I know tonight will be worse. We are supposed to have some significant winds here today so that maybe delaying some of those. 

Broody Hen Found!

Today I found the broody hen had not seen her for a few days; she is alive and well. I put some water out for her near her nest and will take out some special treats in a bit. So glad she is okay.  She is in some underbrush in a well hidden spot. So all the chickens have survived this last heat wave we had. Yea! 

The heat and broody hens have taken away from egg production but the young hens are healthy and I'm so happy about that! Glad we took in to consideration how hot it gets here when we were thinking about the kind of chicks to raise last spring. 

This morning we've picked some cherry plums for them to eat from the purple leaf plum tree one of their favorite treats. 

Record Heat

I've been up since before five when hubby's alarm went off, thunder was rumbling, lightening was flashing and we even got a few big drops of rain. It's muggy out today. We've had record hi. temps here, yesterday we have a new hi. for this date 105* phew that's hot! 

The chickens seem to be doing okay. I've been putting out watering stations in the shade at various points in the yard. They like frozen fruit, I put it up last year cleaning out the freezer. With some left over corn on the cob for a breakfast treat as well. 

One of the Rhode Island reds grabbed an apple we were picked for them and took off with it across  the yard and off to the chicken run to eat it! That chicken got it's prize!

Flock Owner's Rainy Day Chili

This is the perfect flock owners crock pot chili recipe that I use. 

In crock pot pour in and stir gently. 

2 cans [15 oz.] Nalley's turkey chili 

1 small can tomato sauce 

2 turkey sausage patties cooked & crumbled

1-2 sliced sausage cheese dogs

1/4 cup salsa 

1 can pork n beans drained or red beans I was out today.

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

Mix ingredients in and cook on low 4 hrs.

Missing Hen Found

Missing Hen Found! Earlier this morning I realized that one of the black hens was missing. I have not found a pile of black feathers so that is good news I suppose. I looked all over the back yard and under the shed in and even in the neighbors yard they hang out sometimes I did not see her. Then later in the morning after I told hubby that I could not find here he opens up the kitchen door just as she flew in on top of the coop and had breakfast! 

I looked under the broody hen she is sitting on one egg. Today I made up omelet for Father's day for hubby and the two Easter Egger green eggs were both fertile that I used I've heard fertile eggs are supposed to be the best for you. 

As I type this I'm trying to think of what happened with the chickens here this week pretty uneventful. I had to buy eggs at the farmer's market this week to have enough to boil for lunches. Production is down a couple of the hens have gone broody and the older ones are slowing down in production. They young ones are not in production yet so we are sort of in between.  

The young roos are starting to scuffle among themselves now. The smaller one pullets are nearly fryer size are leary of them. 

The currents are nearly gone now, the chickens love the cherry sized plums from the purple leaved plum tree and eat the small green apples from the back yard so they are keeping that cleaned up. Now if I could just get them to catch and eat the yellow jackets! 

We are thinking of the cooking surface for the patio and we're thinking an outdoor sink would make butchering day a lot easier so we looked at some for that hoping to get a used sink for that. 

New Chicken Yard Fence

This week end we put up the new fencing in the chicken yard the other one was temporary and I learned I needed more access so we put in an additional point of access a make shift gate. The green plastic fencing is not permanent but should last better than the other one. 

Today the chickens are in the back yard while I water the chicken yard when ever I go out to change the sprinkler they think it's feeding time. When I moved it last time I put buckets upside down by the current berry bushes so they could get the taller berries. They seem to really enjoy them. The ones by the wagon were picked clean! Great free chicken food. 

Roses in the chicken yard have grown a lot this year that was great to see. I'm thinking where I can put one more old fashioned rose in as it's great cover for them. I've learned that they do not bother the things I plant as much if I let them get the bugs out first and then after planting but the netting around it. 

It's getting more difficult to tell the difference in the young birds and the older ones as they are all nearing the same size. Some are getting courser sounding squawk in their clucking making me thing this might be a roo. 

I got paint for the coop and I'm thinking how to get the wall inside the run done and dry in time for their nightly roosting.  I guess I'll be out cleaning it bright and early before I begin and then locking it up after they are out they don't mind feeders being moved out side under the trees. 

We need a bigger latch for the back gate/door and lower front one as they seem to be the ones I fight with to get to close not enough give in them it's frustrating and I'll be glad to have that problem solved! 

Chicken Adventures

Chicken adventures are expanding the neighbor kid is done with high school gave his chickens (2 hens) away to a friend and gave the coop to us we are going to remodel it for an isolation cage / roo run/ or brooder. So it was a very exciting day to get that last weekend! It's red the other neighbor made it I need to ask him if it is paint or stain the top needs a new coat. 

We are down to six hens we got rid of the older mean hens. Also we still have all ten of the chicks they are now fryer size and some are as big as the smaller hens. The four we got later are pullet size now of those four looks like only one is a hen.  :roll: 

This week hubby cut a 2" x 4" for a second roost and things have calmed down at night when they go to roost now that they have more room. We had been talking about doing that for a while. I put up a temporary one of a tree branch that broke off one of the the trees in the yard in a wind storm but it was too unstable for any of the bigger ones to use. The really like the 2" x 4" on the four inch part to roost on at night. 

I've changed them over to pellets and have less feed lost to song birds / mice stealing it because of the larger size. The chickens also love corn, canned corn I found some at a yard sale down the street,  and corn on the cob I got an extra one for them to enjoy. I need to go pick up the cobs! 

The younger chickens are learning to enjoy the backyard I have a few holes to plug up so they ones do not escape, but it's an easy fix as so far only one spot has been a problem.

Chicken Yard

I've been keeping the hens in until noon at least so they lay in the nest boxes, the pullets go out first so they can eat without the fryers bugging them, then the fryers get out in to the chicken yard. Having breakfast seems to be one of their favorite things! The pullets are all feathered out and incorporated in with the rest of the flock and now they want on the top roost too. [No eggs yesterday.] The day before the broody hen started to lay again so that is good news. Last weekend we culled some of the older ones so egg count is down. 

Yesterday I made up some fabric feed bags in various sizes smaller than the feed sacks I can lift them; I struggle with the 50-80 lb. ones. So these work out great! I was hoping to find corn print for cornmeal at the fabric store but no luck so I got yellow instead. I got some turkey hand print like kids do in school to make a print for turkey crafts. I can put the all flock feed in that one! I have one bag for the scratch made up and another one for the layer feed done. I need one for the grit next I think. These are fun to make up and fast! 

Speaking of fabric I got some different [green] fencing fabric to put up; the orange stuff is not so durable and when I put it up I knew it was just temporary. 

I need to decide what kind of fence area for an isolation / roo cage. I'm also hoping to change the chicken yard area so I can put them in different parts of it and rotate the over grazed parts to let it recover and put the chickens in under the apple tree when apples are on to help clean that up. They are great for eating the weed seed so that's helping. 

Last weekend I pulled chick weed was hoping they would eat that but they don't seem to like it. The roses are blooming in the chicken yard and we have some small fruit coming on now. 

This weekend we will be grilling one of the home grown chickens we raised yum! On interesting thing this week was finding a dead mouse in the water bucket that had dround and another outside the bucket in the coop so I had our grandson help bury those out side of the chicken area. 

Last week I cut out the bottom of a plastic apple sauce  jar to screw on the round chicken feeder to make it easier to fill that sure works better saves a lot of time and mess. 

Pumpkin Tree

Today I got up late it was raining the hens did not seem to mind waiting until the rain stopped to get up. I've been out to feed the chickens. No eggs yesterday that is rare that they all take the same day off. The spring egg push is over now I guess. I'll need to buy eggs if we are going to have deviled eggs and omelettes this weekend. 

Yesterday I did some gardening and I planted a pumpkin tree I by put seeds under a tree in the front yard.  Those white pumpkin seeds and it only had six seeds in the pack. I'm hoping they all grow! I got the carrot seeds in and mowed the front yard also.  I'm glad I did that before it rained. I enjoyed my day and spending some time outside cleaning the patio hanging out with the chickens hubby calls it playing with them! 

Looking forward to using the table on the deck and enjoying watching the chickens from the patio expansion we did last summer. This week I dug up some tulip bulbs that were poorly placed by it and not working out and move those the hens thought it was great fun to get the bugs when I dug in the yard doing that. 

Hubby said when he got home he had to take the broom after one of the Barred rock hens pecking the heck out of one of the pullets. Later it was fine.  I'm trying to incorporate the pullets in with the main flock this week. He thinks I should just keep them locked longer. The temporary fence is starting to give up so we need to figure out a different solution for the chicken yard. So I've been pondering various solutions for that. The broody hen is off her nest now and back with the flock. 

We can think about getting the coop back to the hens now that the pullets are out and put the other nest box set up back inside after I clean the coop out. But I might wait until after I've painted it I do have paint for that project. The hens seem to enjoy the lawn clippings for nesting material.  I've gotten one egg today so far another hen on the outside nest. 

It would be a great day to dig up some bulbs to move as it's been raining. I figured out where to move the next crop of onions to as they are going putting on this years crop of new sets/starts on now. 

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers one thing I've never tried because I did not think I liked it boy was I wrong! I did these after deseeding the sweet red peppers and giving the seeds to the hens. I froze the peppers. Later I had to think how to do a low carb. version of meat loaf thawing out two ground beef patties I seasoned the filling added an egg and chopped carrots celery and onion tops from the garden stuffed the peppers and seasoned the baked them in the oven then added cheese. This was yummy and could be done with ground turkey or sausage hubby said that it was a keeper!  

For breakfast today we had omelettes with onion tops, mushrooms, cheese and eggs from our hens that's always a weekend treat around here after doing chores.

Next week will be chicken on the grill. 

May Flowers

We have flowers blooming in the free range area iris and roses, they love to dust bathe under the roses. I'm going to mow bag clippings for chickens this week. 

I got up at five today let out the fryers hens were still on the roost. Pullets were ok with the door to the run open last night they slept in the coop and came out to the run when I fed them and let the fryers out. 

Two of the four pullets New Hampshire Reds are chest bumping indicating roos what a bummer! I was hoping they were hens I wanted to know how they did laying compared to the Rhode Island Reds. I like the looks of the Rhode Island Reds so much better than the N.H. reds. I'll try some Rhode Island whites for replacements next spring. 

After putting some replacement sod patches down last weekend we had a lot of sand from that and put it in the chicken run with old sod we took out around it for a dust bath area all of the chickens have been enjoying scratching and pecking in it.  

Pepper seeds from deseeding peppers seem to be a favorite for some of the hens. A friend works at organic produce vegetable stand so the hens get scraps from there. 

Fruit is starting to set on here and we will be getting fruit next month for the chickens to eat currents are on first then the summer apples begin and later on apricots and plum cherries, nectarines and peaches followed by grapes and plums. 

We've planted tomatoes in the front flower beds this year. Some of the marigolds in the back as well. So far the chickens have left them alone yea! 


The broody hen moved sitting spot and left a nice clutch of eggs this week. 

Sunny Days

We are all enjoying the sunny days in our forecast this week. The fryers have learned the boundaries of the first free range pen now after a day or two they got used to that and were running out with the hens when I opened the door this morning. They were looking for worms! 

Hens clucking woke me up at 5:45 a.m. today. Our grandson helped me dig sod out of the last area and we removed it from the yard and we gave it to the chickens they love sod! It has bugs worms and they eat the grass too. 

I have more to move that we dug out earlier and then we can get to the garden area. our grandson brought some friends by after school to see the chickens earlier in the week. Our granddaughter can't wait to come and "help" dig today. She only likes to dig after I've removed sod and spaded it up it's easier. The hens are right there where the shovel is getting the prime spot for worms and bugs. Others want to see the set up when they come by as well. I'm glad the fryers are tame enough to catch and let visitors pet when I hold them. 

Broody Hen Again

This was the county fair weekend here I saw that they had three baby goats born at the fair! They were a hit!

The winds we had blew the one branch I was using for a roost down and we had to put it back up a couple of times. I cleaned the sod clumps out of the coop that the fryers had eaten the grass off of and put some fresh ones back in.

The pullets were under the light this morning, we have freeze warnings out for our area so they need the heat a bit more. I'll wait to plant the tomatoes and marigolds and bring those in tonight.

One hen has gone broody again so I've moved her to a nest more out of the way and she has not abandoned it like she has done in the past we will see how she does I took the golf balls out that she was sitting on the other hens added eggs to her clutch at one point there were three hens in that nest at the same time this weekend.

One of the birds is a male I'm thinking, we are still getting fertile eggs. That one we call Marshmallow is a  white Easter egger and does not crow or fight much so it's good. The four youngest birds pullets are doing good out in the coop, the fryers are getting along with the hens for the most part. If any hatch they will be the barn yard mix. The grand kids are still enthralled as we are with this process of gathering eggs and raising chicks.

I opened up the front and back of the nest boxes and the hens were able to get into back into the run at dusk, so I did not have to worry so much about them when we were not home before sunset. However two of them were in the top of the coop so had to be moved when we got home later than our norm one night.

We are still getting eggs from the one that lays thin shelled frustrating so it looks like we'll be culling all of the barred rocks sadly to say they are great for getting bugs and grubbing around in the dirt and follow me around the yard when I'm gardening, doing chores and yard work.

Happy Day

Life is good when the grand kids are happily digging up worms in the back yard for the chickens and playing with sticks. Give them dirt a shovel a stick a tree to climb and a sunny day and it's a heavenly day for them! 

This week we are incorporating the fryers in with the hens and next week the pullets go out to the coop. The pullets are getting the same feed as the fryers from now on they just ran out of chick food so at a month old that's perfect timing. 

It was cold the first part of the week yesterday I turned on the heat lamp but the fryers wanted nothing to do with going back into the coop so I turned it back off again. 

This is not the first time we've incorporated new chicks in with these hens they are all fine this morning.  

One of the hens is laying weak shelled eggs and we figured out which hen it is so I was able to make sure she got oyster shell-calcium and I'll need to make sure that is out for them separately. I've been mixing it in with the hen's food. I pulled weeds for the fryers and they did not eat them the hens were not interested in it either. 

I'm happy to have the pullets nearly ready to go out to the coop it will be good to have the chickens all together and will free up the basement counter space again. Egg count another green egg today so that one is laying every other day we got four other eggs today plus one that was broken in the nest. 

Clean Coop & Run

Now that the fryers are growing they needed better places to perch they opted for the top of the old doll house frame that had been gutted. I put it in for their use it's taller so I put some boards across the top for perching on and they fit better with lovely rows of the Rhode Island Reds perched across the top of it. My granny said they used to have a Rhode Island Red they called "Henny Penny" I guess most flock owners have a favorite hen. 

This morning I cleaned the run and after I got back from town discovered the hens had undid that pile I raked up, it was scattered about. So I raked it up again and they will do that again and it's a great way to have help turning the compost LOL! A couple more times and it will be good they will loose interest and I'll figure out the best place to move it to out of the traffic flow for egg gathering. 

I cleaned out the coop this afternoon as well, our grand daughter wanted to help feed the chickens so she came out with me but was not interested in the coop cleaning! Our fruit trees have been fertilized too. 

One green egg so far today and one hen still on the  nest box no telling how many she's sitting on today. 

  

New Perch Places

Last night I did not get the coop open in time for the hens to go back in oops! It was dark sooner because of clouds out side and they roosted in various places out side on top of an inverted nest box on saw horses, the ladder leaned up against the back of the coop on top of the run and in the tree behind the coop  and run. So hubby turned on the light and I got the hens off their roost and they wandered in to the run and got up on the normal roost, I thought I was done when I noticed the two on top of the run and I tried to get them down and they went on top of the coop and then in to the tree behind it. So next I had to get the latter and fetch them down out of the tree! Then I got the fryers down from the tall roost and back in the coop.  

Feeding Chickens

Good Sunday morning I'm back! Waving to all who read this I've slept in here too until 7:30 a.m,  up then did the chicken chores, made coffee while I was out doing the outside chores. Then later hubby we put the pullets in a bigger tote today. The fryers are beginning to mingle in the morning and evening with the hens slowly getting them used to each other. I'd let them out but remembered too many places they could get out of the yard so I'm re-thinking that. 

The pullets are getting feathers and splotchy looking the brown feathers are about half in and they look like half and half birds now, it's very interesting to watch this process! I've been giving the pullets some of the pumpkin too now. 

I got the last pumpkin out of the freezer for the birds now I'll be giving them the other stuff I put up for the birds we did not have yet last year. I can't believe that I even did that! LOL! 

Got one green egg with two other hens in the same nest box this morning. I"m going to track the green egg layer to see how often she produces one just for fun by marking the days she lays. 

We made blue berry muffins the other day the hens are getting the old ones.  I need to pull some weeds the fryers will love those. I've been working on digging out some sod and they love it when I give them a new batch to eat on in the pen! Ever heard of sodding a chicken pen? I'm wondering if they could living in a Soddy like in the covered wagon days! LOL the things I wonder about. 

Fryers!

One more week and then we will incorporate the fryer size pullets in with the hens, the new chicks are now pullet size and will go out to the coop. We're hoping it warms up at night by then. 

I have some yard work to do today the hens love to be out in the yard while I'm doing that so they can get the worms, bees, and bugs. 

Our grand son got to collect 6 eggs one day this week,  another day I gathered 4 eggs and one other day we had 5 eggs.  Of our nine hens not bad the older ones are not laying as much and culling time is coming. 

Chickens and Routines

Morning routine is under way chicken chores done here now. It is quite a bit of work having three different ages of chickens, the hens need one type of feed and care, the pullets are on a some thing else, as are the youngest chicks still another in the growing stage in the basement. Our grand son was asking when they go out to the coop. I told him we were just discussing that this weekend. In a couple weeks or so soon as it warms up at night a bit. This is me rolling my eyes what were we thinking, hubby said he pleads the fifth on getting this last batch of chicks I'm SO glad it's only four! They are cute and getting their feathers in and at the awkward scraggly stage with half fuzz and some feathering. The older pullets are feathered out and looking like miniature chickens at this point. 

The hens were happy to get some time in the yard yesterday while we were digging out side just before the hail came and the hens took cover under the deck! I've been closing the run for the pullets and the hens get access to the coop but they don't use it much except to grab a snack from the feeder. Speaking of snacks the treats have been apple cores, pumpkin and carrots. 

I'm learning to get the eggs when I see them instead of waiting until the grand kids show up after school one was broken yesterday, so of the five that were laid we got four. 

Six Eggs

We got six eggs yesterday one was green. The hens are adjusting to the reduced ranging area pretty well. The pullets are growing like weeds. I showed one to the baby that is here at the end of the week each week now. She got all excited seeing a chicken up close. She enjoyed watching the hens in the stroller from a distance.  

Squirrels enjoyed the pumpkin seeds that the hens turned their nose up at. I left a small sauce cup of seeds out on a table on the deck after moving the tomato sets and there were two doves sitting on that table one day that was an amazing sight I had the grand kids come quick to look! 

I have one more area to dig up in the lawn of the wrong kind of grass, last weekend I hurt my foot over doing it a bit so might wait for better weather on that it's a blustery days out we had rain in the night and the winds woke me up this morning. 

The new chicks were chirping in the basement to be fed and watered. Time to clean their cage today our grand daughter will be here so I"ll have her help she likes to tend to the birds with me. Our grand son is excellent at gathering up the eggs after school as well. Grandma's house is fun! 

Spring Weather

I was excited yesterday to see that there were two pullet eggs in the nest box, pullets are  now laying again after being broody. The hens enjoyed my weed pulling adventures and got the worms soon as the dirt was exposed! It rained and they were out grazing in it when I came home from a store run so the rain does not phase the hens! The chicks are delighted to have some sod I dug out of the lawn, the family calls that chicken salad! [No, it did not have weed n feed on it.] It's time to mow the back yard now that the barrier fence is up the grass is growing again and no longer looking over grazed. Time to think about the garden spot and getting a bit more work done on that. 

We had winds in the after noon so I put the chicks in the coop and hens in the run early to batten down the hatch. 

We got 5 eggs one green I'm glad that count is up we have not had as many boiled eggs this month. The newest baby chicks are doing great and starting to get their first feathers. It is an interesting process to watch as the feathers are coming in red after the yellow fuzz on the N.H. Reds.

Feed Store Trip

On a trip to the feed store yesterday we got a new ax handle to fix the ax head we had here and got a hatchet one of the hens was not doing well with an injury of sorts and had to be put down. While I was at the feed store I got feed crumble for layers, scratch, and un-hulled sunflower seeds. The hens love it [B.O.S.S.] Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. I got a small sack of sunflower seeds to mix in the scratch for their treats. I also got another three pound feeder I had to put together. I did that while hubby worked on getting the ax handle to fix on the ax head we had it was not a perfect fit and needed some modifications. 

Yesterday I dug up some  more sod and let the hens out to get the worms * note to self wait until after digging next time! 

Today I was up by six thirty a.m. I fed the new chicks they are doing fine and I checked on the hens, it was pouring down rain and three of them wanted out any way and they were squawking to be let out of the run. I guess there are more worms to get when it's raining out. It was not all that cold out. Some of the hens stayed on the roost until the rains stopped or at least slowed down, then they went out and I let the pullets out of the coop and into the run they were having their first adventure with weather! 

S- Hooks

Today I got up and I knew I'd better not mess around and checked on the chicks at five a.m. When I went to the basement to check on the newest baby chicks they were out of water so I was glad I did that first. Someone had put the plastic water transporter container in that I'd specifically said not to use in the bin for them because it was too light and would tip over when they tried to perch on it when drinking. [That person now knows not to do that again that was a bummer!] 

Their temp. in the container was just right at 80*  we put a temperature gauge using an S-hook to hang it on the side. The S-hooks come in handy for other things as well we have one on a chain to hang the heat lamp over head. 

Food ready for the outside chickens and pullets to take out after sun up in the mornings. Most of the time I get it ready to take out the night before. The pullets are getting their feathers and looking fine. They have adapted to the old doll house we rescued and it's working well for an area they can sleep in and roost on the 1"x 1" board on the top works well for that as they learn to be chickens. They've been enjoying the warmer spring weather and dust bathing on the floor of the coop! 

Egg Hunting

Today was a very satisfying day the grand kids helped me put up the fencing to keep the chickens off the lawn so I can have a garden and flower beds again now. Yea! The hens seem to be adjusting well to the new area they have less places to run but more things to climb on they seem to be enjoying the change. The first breeze blew the fence over and we had a do-over moment in the afternoon, but that's what you get when your working with ten year olds and some one that's not done much fencing. LOL! I just hope they remember the time they put up a chicken fence on spring break!  The hens acted like it was a new play ground to use. 

I'm very happy to say the second attempt we got the fence to stay up and it keep the hens off the main part of the yard so we can use it. So we did an egg hunt with plastic eggs in the back yard and it was great fun. When we start working on the B.B.Q. area to finish that update the temp. fence will be down so this is great!

The light went out in the coop so I changed that bulb so glad I noticed that before it was dark and cold out! Pullets are looking good. I brought the cage under that carport I got for chicks at a yard sale last summer this will work great for the four youngest chicks I hope any way. We shall see. 

Tomorrow our grandson will be here. So we can dig up some sod and the hens will love the treat of getting worms and help set up the cage have for the new chicks. 

Spring Break

Some of the fun for spring break around here is baby chicks for the grand kids to enjoy. We did hit a bit of a bump in the road however when; the broody hens failed to hatch out chicks; so we thought that we would help nature out. We bought four chicks but the hens were not fooled and attacked them and only one survived.  So we bought some companions for it and now have four new chicks here this week the survivor one Rhode Island Red I'm calling it chicken little, and three New Hampshire Reds these have been on my wish list! What fun for spring break with grand kids around! The N.H. Reds are a buff color and get darker as they grow I'm told!  Broody hens are off the nests during the day now we're hoping they start laying eggs again soon. 

The pullets are enjoying the chicken run during the day and are dust bathing in the warm sunny days we are having here this week! Hens are having a hay day getting after the bugs that are out now. Hunting and pecking for them in and around the flowers. I need to screen off a garden area got the steaks for doing that with this week. 

The apple apricot plum trees are in bloom now and the peach trees is not far behind so the chickens will enjoy the fruit that falls from them. That's one of the reasons I wanted chickens I hated seeing that fruit go to waste. 

Coop Repairs

Yesterday we got the coop doors fixed so the door latches are working on them again now yea! We also got the coop cleaned and tweaked the nest boxes to be accessible to the outside and closed from the inside. This is so the chicks won't escape while they are out in the run. They had their first time in the run yesterday and seemed to like it a lot they did not want to go back in the coop so I had to pick each one up and put them back inside. 

I got another bit of crab grass dug up yesterday so the hens were underfoot getting worms for their dinner. Sat. we only got one egg the hens did not like the cold weather or took the day off from laying. Three eggs yesterday. 

Got a Chickens magazine the article I read on cleaning the coop was good I just wish I would have read it before I cleaned the coop instead of after! 

We discussed turning the inside nest box on it side to give the hens more head room we will do that next and rounded up the stuff we will need for that project. It will need to have a ledge put on the other side to keep eggs from rolling out. This is a converted kitchen cupboard unit. 

I'm thinking of a couple of ideas for keeping the hens out of the areas that need to be reseeded while that grows. Some construction webbing could come in handy so I'll be checking on that next. 

Spring 2013

Today I've made breakfast coffee and the bed. Chicken chores first round done not quite on time, the hens let themselves out when I opened up the dining room curtain they saw that and charged the door the latch is not working and they were out like a rocket dashing to the fence by the patio! I hurried up to finish getting dressed take out the feed I had ready to go. It was cold and I had to break ice off the water buckets. 

All ten chicks are still alive and growing thriving! They love cooked pumpkin glad I had a stock pile of it in the freezer to use for this. The chicks had one that was not frozen the other water bucket closet to the door had ice in it. 

Today's temps. range 29* -49* next week it's supposed to warm up so we are figuring out how house the chicks and give them access run when the hens are out during the day and still give the hens access to the nest boxes for laying. I'm SO glad we put a door on the back of the nest boxes and we can block of the front so they can use the chicken ramp to it during the day. 

Broody hen's sister joined her on the nest no little peeps yet we are still waiting. If they do not hatch by next weekend I'll try sneaking in some day old chicks maybe I can get some Rhode Island whites! 

I'm back in from the chicken barn I mean coop! I got the outside nest boxes cleaned and spiffed up the lower chicken roost. While I was outside I  Rounded up the broody hen from her recess break next door she was frantic to get back to her nest. I got a peek at the eggs and no signs of chicks yet.  Then I removed the ice off chicken water buckets. 

Chicken Check In

The chicks are fine in the coop and have adjusted well to their new space. They've been devouring pumpkin, scratch and crumble. I've put fresh water in for them daily. All ten chicks are thriving! Yea!!!

The broody hen is under a crate and I put a towel over it to keep the other hens from pecking her they were bullying her. So this seems to help. She ate all of the corn bread and milk I put in for her last night it was gone this morning. I cleaned up her nest one egg had broken and her sister has figured out how to get in under that crate and has been adding eggs to this clutch so I removed those trying to keep the ones shes sitting on to a dozen. When hubby asked what we would do with those if they make it I said raise 'em for the freezer the roos any way. Nine days to go on them. 

The hens love it when we dig out old rose bushes that have died they grub around for worms and one was on bug patrol in the front yard. I don't mind one doing that but not ALL of them at the same time! The hens are still adjusting to being in the run and out of the coop. 

Collected seven eggs yesterday. 

Coop to Brooder Conversion

Today Hubby and I revamped the coop when we did that I found a hidden egg and a nest of mice!  Ack! So we pulled out all the straw from the loft area cleaned it up and cleaned the coop removed nest boxes. I changed the light to a heat lamp bulb. We have the thermometers to check to get the heat just right. 

I cleaned the waterer and put it up. I had purchased a roost a wooden dowel the thickness of a closet clothes hanger rod for 50 cents at a yard sale with holes in it already; so hubby put the in a low spot for the chicks to roost on too. 

The feed will not go in until tomorrow when we put the chicks in it. We closed up the coop door so the hens no longer have access to it. They were milling around wondering what all the activity was about as the sun was setting. 

The nest boxes were all removable so they are out in the run area for now with the others. The broody hen was taking some hits but last time I tried moving her and her eggs to a different spot she abandoned the nest so I just left her alone except to fend off some of the other hens. Taking note that they might be some in the next batch to cull. I will be glad to have the chicks out of the basement.  We've been talking about this for a few weeks now and I've been wondering how it would work out. The coop looks all cozy now this switch has been successful so far we will see how the chicks do with more room I'm sure they will love. 

Toe Nail Clipping

The chicks are learning to eat regular food now. I'm introducing cooked pumpkin with corn meal and they seem to really love it! 

I'm learning how to clip chicken toe nails is a good thing to do on a tame chicken! I also learned how to get them in the pen after they have been out for free range time again; I just put their scratch feed in the pen for the afternoon feeding time when the grand kids usually come home on the bus and do it. I shut the gates when they were in eating that worked great! Then I looked at the hens and let out the ones that did not need toe nails clipped. 

Dear grand daughter likes to feed the hens on top of an over turned five gallon bucket the hens stand around while she puts hand fulls of feed on it and then later you can hear the clunk clunk clunk of the beaks on the bucket as they pick up their food. 

I got three extra eggs from the broody hen nest some how she got up to fifteen eggs the other hens are collaborating with her! LOL! So I reduced it to a dozen she was sitting on.  Tonight I noticed the broody hen was off the roost two other hens were in the coop, one was picking on one that wanted to lay so I shooed her out she had already laid earlier and then the one was on the clutch of eggs adding hers and later in the evening broody hen was back on it sitting keeping her eggs warm. 

She I do not let the grands very near the broody hen because she pecks. Now I know why my granny did not have us do her chicken chores she had a roo too I believe. I might need to put the broody hen in a pet carrier the other hens keep adding to her nest I guess they've heard of "chicken math" too! 

Dear grand son & I figured out why they don't have chickens on animal cops show because no one chains a hen to the back door and they can fly off and or forage and fend for them selves!  

Sat. Chicken Chores

My Sat. chicken chores this week included cleaning the chicken run, cleaning the out side nest boxes. Digging up daffodil bulbs from the back yard because the daffs. are not good for chickens. Moved those bulbs to the front yard in front of the house where they are out of the hens reach and I've replanted those bulbs. So I'm making great progress here. 

I moved some leaves from the last corner of the back yard I need to prep for some spring planting. It's looking better and was great exercise! Counting that today. 

Hubby got a wooden goose shape on a stake so I can put it in the garden as soon as youngest dear grand daughter helps me paint it. She was asking to help paint last week so she will get her wish. 

One thing left to do is clean inside nest boxes I hate to disturb the hen that's setting on eggs so trying to figure out how to do that with out bothering her to much. 

So glad I did those chores on Sat. as today is very windy here! We got some wood burned for ash for the beds the hens dust bathe in also. 

Senior Project Idea!

I was talking with the neighbor I asked what was in loaded in their trailer, wondering if it  was a house for their hens when I saw it. It was ready to assemble. It turned out that this project is what his son made for his senior project. An eight foot by eight foot green house for his grandmother. Today is the day they are going to put it together on site. This was one very proud dad! 

He said they will be moving and are going to give us their two hens, so we need to make room. I called on some eggs for sale that guy had a couple of free roos Rhode Island Reds. But the roos live in a different town and would only be for the deep freezer.  

Broody Hen update: Today I checked the broody hen after she switched nests and gently lifted her off her nest on to another nest temporarily after I put on my leather gloves. She only had three eggs and one golf ball she was sitting on, so I took out the golf ball and eggs that were not the breed we wanted chicks from, then I added four more eggs for her to sit on replaced her on the nest. 

Then I let out the rest hens that were restless after eating their treats. Turns out they love Spanish rice! LOL! Hubby said I spoil the hens then in the next breath suggests I buy some rice to cook for them! Makes me wonder WHO is spoiling them after all!!! 

Broody Hen

Our chicken news today is one hen has gone broody, this broody hen and has decided to sit on eggs.  Yea! A whole new adventure for us! One of our flock goals was to raise our own chicks. The other hens added to her nest I moved her to the loft in the coop so no eggs for us today. I add a couple of choice eggs to her clutch of eggs I figured we might as well try to raise the bigger breed we like for meat birds. She did not like being messed with but settled in the loft after that. I put food near her she does not seem interested. I'd be cranky too with out food or water. I put water near by for her. 

I did the first round of chicken and chick chores done usually done mid morning but the hens got out early to look for worms and bugs today. Youngest grandchild had plenty of energy yesterday when she helped with that. She wanted to see the inside of a green egg so requested to help mix up cookie dough so we mixed that up. The old two grand daughters will be over tomorrow too so they can have cookies with lunch and / or for snacks. 

Later on youngest grand child said "Grandma come look" then she pointed to a chick was sleeping on the top of the waterer, she was so amazed to see that! 

Then I cleaned out the chick's box in the basement and they settled back in and napped after their "dinner". 

The red heat lamp gave a weird color to the pics that I took earlier today I need to get better ones hoping the older grands can help me pose 'em tomorrow. I'd like to take weekly pics. of them to record their progress. 

Time Change is Coming!

The time change on March tenth has me wondering how that will effect the hens schedule this is going to be an interesting development. Now that it's warming up we put out more water buckets and it's nearly time to hang up the fount again since it's not been freezing. Spring is not far behind.

Got 1 green egg, two brown eggs, and two pullet eggs today so far for a grand total of five eggs. Yesterday the lighter colored one I'd not seen for a couple of weeks and was glad to see that hen is laying again, now I just have to figure out what hen is laying this lovely cream colored egg! 

The grand kids played in the dirt I'd spaded up for garden spots they had a blast, then the hens wanted in on that fresh dirt action after the grands moved on to play on the jungle gym! LOL! A sure sign of spring. 


Today I got out the hose for the back yard and got the roosts, ladders, and chicken crate hosed off today that were in the chicken run. I felt better having that done dear grandson helped! Grass was in need of moisture so watered it as bit to settle down the dust it helped to clean it up some more in the back yard.


When I checked on the chicks at lunch time one was perched on top of the water container, they can fly now. They are getting more feathers all the time too. top of the water container they are flying around a bit now too. With little tail feathers and top wing feathers they are growing fast and doing great! I put a board in there and they all lined up on it to sleep like it was their roost! It's not off the ground but works for them. 

Monday Monday

We've had a productive morning so far. Back inside from 'recess' we've spaded up the next garden spot behind the coop, and the hens are "working" that today. We've put up a bit of a wind block not that they noticed the breeze any way but as I move things out of the way that sort of just happened. They were delighted to discover the worms and slugs under boards as we were moving things around. I was thinking we could start up the fire pit but not with the wind gusting up to thirty miles an hour had to wait. 

Now that the chicks are a week old they are getting tail feathers and starting to shed their chick fuzz. We've been holding the chicks so they will be used to people. This is one advantage of having them in the basement they are handier and we can let them get used to us being around and hearing people noises like our voices. The grand kids are more than happy to help us with this task! 

Dear grand son help collect eggs we got two green ones two pullet ones and one regular size brown egg for a grand total of five eggs. 

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.