100 Pictures of My Flock (Pic Heavy!)

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

7. A lucky hen. Okay, so this picture doesn't really show why she's lucky, but she really is.

This is Pace.

On the evening of the 6th, I came out in the 105+ degree weather to find her collapsed in the run. She could not stand up. My mom and I gave her a cool bath and stayed with her a little while. She was still woozy, but ale to keep on her feet at that point. I saw her preening a little later, and then she found her way back to the coop. She was still off-balance, though, and I had to help her get to the perch. I didn't think she was going to make it through the night.

The next morning, she was still walking like her legs were made of jelly, but she was okay. I put in a major effort to keep the hens going on that last 110 degree day. I was surprised that by yesterday, she had made a full recovery and was enjoying the slightly cooler 88 degree day. And that's why Pace is a lucky hen.



One of the ways I kept the hens going on that last hot day was to give them 42. a cool summer snack. There is nothing cooler or more summery than chilled watermelon!!

The Guineas got 71. a Guinea treat, too. ...Well, at first it didn't seem so, though.

I came out a little later and found a few small chunks taken out of their slice of watermelon. A little later after that, there wasn't a trace of it left--not even the rind!



If ever there is a time that there aren't 81. hens in the woods, it is a surprising time indeed. On the day I took these pictures, the hens happened to be Debra Jo and Cricket.

At first, Debra Jo was alone.

Finally, she was joined by Cricket as she browsed the selection of pickings.

And finally... Drumroll, please!

I think we may have a winner for 99. the stinkiest stink-eye. Ready...? Brace yourself...




It's....










WYNNE!

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Now THAT is one stinky stink-eye!

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Can you spot the victim of the next theme in this picture?

That's right, it's 53. the first tomato worm snack! Diana immediately snatched it.

Having not yet decided where to eat it, she made a run for it.

This, of course, started up a game of 29. chicken football.

After the worm was gone, I gave the girls their 52. first tomato snack, which started up another round of chicken football! The Barred Rocks started this round up one tomato worm, but the Red Sexlinks quickly claimed the first tomato score! (Meanwhile, in the back to the right, Kate plays with a hover-tomato--could that be considered fowl play?)

The Rocks score one tomato after another!

(NOM!)

But the Sexlinks manage to snatch another tomato out of the jaws of the Rocks! Is this enough to secure a victory for the Sexlinks?

Not quite--the game still ends with the Rocks winning by most of a tomato worm!



Now, CLEARLY I put the live trap on top of a cinder block just so Betty could reach the tomato plants! I mean, that is 91. a place *obviously* meant for chickens!

 

[hnridley]

Wow! your project is simply amazing!!!!

btw, wat's the cream u add on top of the "Fruity Birthday cake" ? Feel like making some for my chickens too.

 

[hnridley]

u might not remeber since it's a long time ago. it's the 12. Happy hatchday cake.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

The Happy Hatchday Cake was a combination of some of the girls' favorite fruits and veggies with plain yogurt. I have the full list of ingredients and pictures of the steps I took assembling it on this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/663901/2011-girls-first-birthday-party-very-pic-heavy

 

[hiddenflock]

I have a question about Zombies.

How does that happen, the chickens' eyes turning all grey?

We took a picture of one of our old roosters before, and the same thing happened then, both in the picture and in real life.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

What you're seeing in pictures like that is the bird's third eyelid. They can sort of 'blink' with that third eyelid to keep debris out of their eyes. I've noticed that they do it a lot, too, when surprised by a camera flash.

 

[hiddenflock]

What you're seeing in pictures like that is the bird's third eyelid. They can sort of 'blink' with that third eyelid to keep debris out of their eyes. I've noticed that they do it a lot, too, when surprised by a camera flash.

Oh, I see (No pun intended).
Thanks!

They probably really need that when dust-bathing.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

You should make this into some sort of online album when you're all done. I love the project and if I had more birds, I'd do it myself. How many chickens do you have in all?