I've always heard the term "Free Range" Chickens...well our ladies have taken that to a new level. They might be just a bit spoiled, but of course, I'm sure they wouldn't agree.
Wilamena, one of our Dixie Rainbows, comfy on the couch while I fold clothes. She comes in every day for a visit. She's very polite of course and oddly enough, never poops when she's inside thank goodness!
Nugget, one of our Sex Links. She's always been the boldest and the first to try everything, and she's always in the middle of whatever we are doing. She's very nosy.
Dixie Chick, our other Dixie Rainbow. She is the ultimate Mother hen, a beauty. She lays double yolkers almost every day. Her record is 93.5gms as opposed to a normal "jumbo" sized egg which usually weighs between 69-71gms.
Boop, one of our beautiful Australorps, and Sexy our other Sex Link with their sisters having an afternoon snack. Betty, the other Australorp, thinks she isn't photogenic and conveniently stepped out of the picture.
That's Oliver Peabody our dog, he's pretty sure no one EVER mentioned anything about sharing with chickens.
The Ladies hanging out on their tree perch.
Happy Feet, our naughty Silkie rooster that misbehaved with his former family, so we adopted him. BYC forums provided a lot of info on how to teach him who's boss (for some reason he hates me and even tho he can't possibly weigh more than 1.5 lbs, I am terrified of the little booger) but so far I haven't had much success. I dread hearing his little feet crunching in the gravel as he prepares to attack me from behind, but we, or at least I am working on it.
And last but certainly not least, LaVern our turkey, who is also adopted and relocated to us. She started disappearing a while back, and would only come home once a day for about a half hour to eat and drink and then vanish again. We clipped her wing twice, altho I'm not fond of doing that, but it didn't even phase her. We were finally able to follow her to see where she was going, and to our surprise found out that not only was she a "wild child" gallivanting all over the neighborhood but also a thief. She had been stealing eggs from the wild chickens across the road, and had made herself a nest right behind our property with 19 (!!) eggs that she had snatched! Now she stays home, but we do give her eggs of her own to take care of, so we don't have to explain to the neighbor about our clepto turkey!
So that's our feathered family...they bring us such happiness and entertainment. I had no idea how wonderful raising chickens and a turkey would be, or how much I would learn from them and about them. I love to listen to them talk to each other and us when they are trying to work a deal for treats or gain access to the couch. Oh and BTW, all of them have been pardoned and will grow old with us. Friends not food.
We also have 2 rescue dogs, 2 cats, 2 Leopard Geckos and a fish to round out the bunch...we are literally surrounded by animals to love and take care of...hmmm...wonder what's next?
Wilamena, one of our Dixie Rainbows, comfy on the couch while I fold clothes. She comes in every day for a visit. She's very polite of course and oddly enough, never poops when she's inside thank goodness!
Nugget, one of our Sex Links. She's always been the boldest and the first to try everything, and she's always in the middle of whatever we are doing. She's very nosy.
Dixie Chick, our other Dixie Rainbow. She is the ultimate Mother hen, a beauty. She lays double yolkers almost every day. Her record is 93.5gms as opposed to a normal "jumbo" sized egg which usually weighs between 69-71gms.
Boop, one of our beautiful Australorps, and Sexy our other Sex Link with their sisters having an afternoon snack. Betty, the other Australorp, thinks she isn't photogenic and conveniently stepped out of the picture.
That's Oliver Peabody our dog, he's pretty sure no one EVER mentioned anything about sharing with chickens.
The Ladies hanging out on their tree perch.
Happy Feet, our naughty Silkie rooster that misbehaved with his former family, so we adopted him. BYC forums provided a lot of info on how to teach him who's boss (for some reason he hates me and even tho he can't possibly weigh more than 1.5 lbs, I am terrified of the little booger) but so far I haven't had much success. I dread hearing his little feet crunching in the gravel as he prepares to attack me from behind, but we, or at least I am working on it.
And last but certainly not least, LaVern our turkey, who is also adopted and relocated to us. She started disappearing a while back, and would only come home once a day for about a half hour to eat and drink and then vanish again. We clipped her wing twice, altho I'm not fond of doing that, but it didn't even phase her. We were finally able to follow her to see where she was going, and to our surprise found out that not only was she a "wild child" gallivanting all over the neighborhood but also a thief. She had been stealing eggs from the wild chickens across the road, and had made herself a nest right behind our property with 19 (!!) eggs that she had snatched! Now she stays home, but we do give her eggs of her own to take care of, so we don't have to explain to the neighbor about our clepto turkey!
So that's our feathered family...they bring us such happiness and entertainment. I had no idea how wonderful raising chickens and a turkey would be, or how much I would learn from them and about them. I love to listen to them talk to each other and us when they are trying to work a deal for treats or gain access to the couch. Oh and BTW, all of them have been pardoned and will grow old with us. Friends not food.
We also have 2 rescue dogs, 2 cats, 2 Leopard Geckos and a fish to round out the bunch...we are literally surrounded by animals to love and take care of...hmmm...wonder what's next?