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Oh I hope yall stay safe in that weather! Meanwhile in Tx today's high is 66 F or 18 C. It feels so nice outside. My new girls and Bear are 21 weeks now. No eggs and no attacks. Bear still keeps his distance. I don't have any major updates just catching up and checking in. There was a local story about 3 teen boys, about 45 minutes from where I live, setting a chicken on fire and posting the video. So disturbing what people think is amusement. They're all facing criminal charges thankfully.
That's shocking and awful! That poor chicken - just cannot fathom the minds of these people!
Anyway, always nice to hear from you :) soooooo jealous of your warm weather, send some over here please lol.
So glad your birds are doing well, great news about Bear, I think you have yourself a good one there - bless him :hugs
 
Oh I hope yall stay safe in that weather! Meanwhile in Tx today's high is 66 F or 18 C. It feels so nice outside. My new girls and Bear are 21 weeks now. No eggs and no attacks. Bear still keeps his distance. I don't have any major updates just catching up and checking in. There was a local story about 3 teen boys, about 45 minutes from where I live, setting a chicken on fire and posting the video. So disturbing what people think is amusement. They're all facing criminal charges thankfully.
I have to be very careful when I hear about things like this.
I have a vivid imagination and my mind goes there...to the terror and pain...
I can’t even...:hit:hit:smack
 
So I braved it and went out there--I just had to check on the bunnies. Omg it is cold. I had to make 4 trips to melt ice with water and come in to warm up to try to lock the gate.

The heated water bottles are working great--no frozen water. I did see oneond the bunnies, it was in the pool with the hay. I also saw a hole under the pallet, which I think the other one dug and is under there. I could not see. It would be on a tarp. I hope it doesn't stick to the tarp? It would be dry so no water under there, hopefully that makes a difference? Fingers crossed. The one I saw looked good.

Now it's snowing again...
 
At first mine were unsure but once we got them in there they really enjoyed it. Our bath is a standard size so isn't big enough for our drakes to duck and dive but they enjoyed just paddling around, our girls on the other hand being smaller were able to and kept diving, jumping up then diving under again and my daughter and grandson who were watching them at the time got soaked. Thankfully we had the idea to put down towels which stopped the water getting through to our laminate flooring which when wet is so slippery. They are at present fast asleep in my bedroom, and it is kinda nice waking up to them in the morning. When outside as soon as they hear my alarm clock go off they start quacking as they know it's time to be let out and have their morning treats. This morning they did the same as soon as my alarm went off only this time I woke to find both my drakes standing by my bed rasping at me as if to say hurry up we want our treats - made me giggle lol.

Mjne sound like toddlers playing in the tub. I listen to them when I'm downstairs. If it gets to quiet I check on them--just like kids I swear. I just got done washing blankets--going to put a warm one down for them.

I have been giving the chickens electrolytes and probiotics in their water. I wonder if there is a taste to that? They see it coming and get all excited.
 
Mjne sound like toddlers playing in the tub. I listen to them when I'm downstairs. If it gets to quiet I check on them--just like kids I swear. I just got done washing blankets--going to put a warm one down for them.

I have been giving the chickens electrolytes and probiotics in their water. I wonder if there is a taste to that? They see it coming and get all excited.
Awwwww bless them :love I'm think we both may miss hearing them this way when it's time for them to live outdoors again.
Apparently Smartwater put electrolytes in their for taste so I'm guessing electrolytes must taste good. As for probiotics, I have no idea if they taste of anything.
 
Decided to have the duck hens out with the chickens this morning, its 1°c at present and set to rise to 3°c by this afternoon. Obviously they all prefer to be outside and I figured they may as well have some time outside given they have no issues with the snow or ice. They were well excited to be out at first, however they've started calling for their boys now so I may have to put them back indoors if they dont settle down soon as its only a little after 7:30 and I'm worried they will upset the neighbours. It doesn't help that they can hear the boys but I can't risk letting the boys out because of their feet. The chickens seem pleased at having them back which is surprising given that they ususlly chase the duck hens a lot but so far the six are together munching on their treats and doing some foraging. I feel sorry for the boys not being able to come out but at the same time I'm at why should the girls miss out too when they are fine with the cold, ice and snow. They've quietened down again now and are with the chickens foraging so I'll keep them out here as long as they can stay settled then I'll just sleep them in with the boys at nights as I don't want to risk ruining the bond they have with each other. Chickens seem much happier now its warmed up some and they seem to be getting on better with each other as well which is nice.
The met office has issued an amber warning for snow, ice and ice fog across Britian, however, East Anglia, where we are is on the list of a few areas which the bad weather is more likely to bypass and have forecast us with rain and light snow later and as much as I feel bad for all who are battling harsh weather conditions, I am well pleased and thankful it will miss us and we get to be in the plus for a few days. It was raining during the early hours of the morning but stopped in time for me to let my girls out, so really thankful for this too. The rain has caused the ice patches in our garden to be so slippery I can't walk on those areas at all but the girls are keeping away from those areas and keeping to the snow covered areas, so I'm guessing they instinctively know it's hazzardous. There is a very cold wind which is a bit strong at times but all are doing fine in it and on the whole is a much better morning than we've had in a while. :)
 
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Well, the duck hens are back indoors, I didn't take them in they followed me in when I went to get them all some banana, and went straight to my bedroom door so I opened it enough so's not to let the boys out but so they could get in and they went straight in so at least I know I did the right thing putting them in with their boys in the first place. Boys are desperate to get out but how do you explain to a duck that they are better off where they are and that it won't be forever, just until there's no more ice or snow. Well the girls had about 45 mins outside so at least that's something.
It's now starting to rain again so I'm thinking to put the chickens in the run and sit in with them, otherwise Pedro and Jellybean will beat up on Roo. I don't interfere but Roo runs under my chair and the others back off when she does so at least she gets some respite.
We 5 are in the run now, it's amazing how different the temp is in here compared to outside - good ole tarpaulin - great invention!
 

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