NY chicken lover!!!! - Page 1010

We have the Ultimate Chicken Roundup Weapon  now.  Last year, we got this huge inflatable frog for the pool.  It was pretty well impossible to sit on, but it was adorable, so we kept it.  At the end of the season, rather than putting it in the shed or garage, Alan stuck it in the playroom half of the coop.  A few days ago, we discovered that the ratchafratching mice had found it and made a handy-dandy nest in the middle of the folds.  As he was in the middle of something at the time, Alan tossed it out of the coop, where it landed outside the run.  Cue absolute hysteria as the roos went berserk.  All three of them started screaming their heads off (like a loud, screeching version of the egg song), and they first herded the girls to the far end of the run, and then into the coop.  They didn't let up for a good ten minutes, as they're drama queen boys.  Of course, we thought this was hilarious.  We finally put the thing up on the deck, as removing it from their sight was the only way to shut the lunatics up.

So, yesterday, because it was nice out, he let them out of the run to wander around a temporarily fenced area for a while.  After a couple of hours, he wanted to put them back in the run, but they were having none of it.  He tried food - nope.  He tried coaxing them back in - yeah, right.  Then, he spotted the frog.  He picked that up and waved it in their general direction, and every last one of them practically tripped over his or her own wings in the headlong flight to the coop.  Success!  So, now that's the Official Chicken Herding Frog. 

the bees we have look nothing like bumble bees.  the bee keeper will let me know.  I will keep all of you posted

way to hot now!!! Boy!  I guess that I am never happy.........

Kept meaning to post again, but get caught up in reading everyone else's posts.....

Evicted the big kids yesterday out to the Eglu.  They survived.  Came home tonight and they still hadn't left the coop.  So they were all shooed out into the run and the door closed behind them.  After momentary hysteria, they just stood around next to the coop.  Someday they will be confident enough to venture farther than the front door. It is soooooo much quieter in the house now.  No more squawking as the big kids ran over the little ones.  Only the 4 Ancona, GLW and EE are left in the tank.  And whenever we go near the tank, the little ones just look.  No more crazed running and screeching from the bigs.

My one cat has discovered chick TV, sits on the tote next to the tank (set up for little girl) and watches the chicks.  Doesn't show interest in hunting them, but hardware cloth remains to keep chicks in and kitties out.

Got a call from CountryMax Saturday morning, they were placing another order.  Only limited breeds and must order at least 6 of a breed.  But they did have some left in store available for sale - SLW, EE, BR, Comet.  Tried calling back to talk to the manager again (he is a really good guy), but wasn't available.  Asked if they could hold until Sunday, was told first come first serve.  So called Sunday morning before making the trip up, sold out except for Comet.  Was looking for more variety, so didn't place an order.

Chicken math has kicked in.  Brother offered up the former calf 'super hutch' that he built.  It is a 8x16 lean-to style building, built on an old wagon frame as skids. Will require deconstructing the individual calf pen walls/doors, install a floor and finish enclosing the walls.  Think it will fit on the old barn foundation on our property.  Already have lots of ideas on how to finish it.  Still going to use the 6x8 trailer frame for a chicken tractor.  Instead of building a coop on it, thinking calf panel hoop style with hardware cloth floor, a couple nest boxes and some roosts.  Perfect for moving around the pasture during the summer and not needing to clean as often.  Ideas always welcome!

Kept meaning to post again, but get caught up in reading everyone else's posts.....

Evicted the big kids yesterday out to the Eglu.  They survived.  Came home tonight and they still hadn't left the coop.  So they were all shooed out into the run and the door closed behind them.  After momentary hysteria, they just stood around next to the coop.  Someday they will be confident enough to venture farther than the front door. It is soooooo much quieter in the house now.  No more squawking as the big kids ran over the little ones.  Only the 4 Ancona, GLW and EE are left in the tank.  And whenever we go near the tank, the little ones just look.  No more crazed running and screeching from the bigs.

My one cat has discovered chick TV, sits on the tote next to the tank (set up for little girl) and watches the chicks.  Doesn't show interest in hunting them, but hardware cloth remains to keep chicks in and kitties out.

Got a call from CountryMax Saturday morning, they were placing another order.  Only limited breeds and must order at least 6 of a breed.  But they did have some left in store available for sale - SLW, EE, BR, Comet.  Tried calling back to talk to the manager again (he is a really good guy), but wasn't available.  Asked if they could hold until Sunday, was told first come first serve.  So called Sunday morning before making the trip up, sold out except for Comet.  Was looking for more variety, so didn't place an order.

Chicken math has kicked in.  Brother offered up the former calf 'super hutch' that he built.  It is a 8x16 lean-to style building, built on an old wagon frame as skids. Will require deconstructing the individual calf pen walls/doors, install a floor and finish enclosing the walls.  Think it will fit on the old barn foundation on our property.  Already have lots of ideas on how to finish it.  Still going to use the 6x8 trailer frame for a chicken tractor.  Instead of building a coop on it, thinking calf panel hoop style with hardware cloth floor, a couple nest boxes and some roosts.  Perfect for moving around the pasture during the summer and not needing to clean as often.  Ideas always welcome!