A Journey Through a Different Way - Funny Story Pg. 69

[Tuffoldhen]

Nice post and pics Ruth, thanks for sharing....

 

[justduckie]

I kind of wondered about this subject, so thanks Ruth for posting your story. I have a friend that can remember his mother getting her chicks from the feed store every year in the spring and just having a regular light bulb in the coop for them. This was back in the early 50's. And he says they very seldom lost any. And here in Wyoming, the springs can be very very cold and nasty.

I just put my 4 week olds out in the coop yesterday and they seem to be doing fine. I have an older hen in there with them and she seems to be sitting next to the temp fence I put up, terrorizing them. She's not very nice.

Everytime one of them comes close the the gate, she charges the gate. I didn't realize they could be so mean! Good thing they are seperated.

I'm curious to see how fast they finish getting their feathers. They don't get to free range yet because of the cold, but hopefully soon!

 

[RobinEgg]

Thanks so much for posting. Growing up my granny always kept chickens and believe me she never went to as much trouble caring for hers as I do for mine. Her brooder consisted of a cage outside with a light bulb . She would have never dreamed of bringing them inside and pampering like I do. I think that you are right , the little ones are far tougher than we give them credit for.

 

[farm_mom]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Ruth. We've always let our chickens free range. This year we're hoping to have turkeys, ducks and chickens free ranging here. We're hoping to breed naturally next year and let the mothers raise their young. That's one of the reasons we chose a heritage breed, in hopes that the mothering instincts haven't been bred out of them. Enjoying your thread.

 

[suenrob]

I am enjoying this thread Ruth! Your birds are beautiful. Hope you keep this going

 

[ruth]

Here are some overall updates.

Pictures of our coop (also 100 years old like the plantation home itself).

The front of coop - we have yet to repair the heavy door that fell off but I use the back door anyway - the one that opens into The Yard. As you can see there is another building right next to it - we aren't using it for anything yet but I have a suspicion it will soon become a coop as well. Someone just keeps getting more and more chickens.

Back of Coop opening into The Yard

Inside the coop I set up different hutches, kennels, rabbit cages for any babies that I close up at night.

Here are by "Tweenies" (6 weeks old) coming home from The Yard at sunset. They're always reluctant to go in coop till dark so they stop at gate and preen.

And here they are roosting on top of hutch they used to use:

The Big Girls go way up to top rafters. Last night I watched a few of The Tweenies start to go up there and then change their minds. Tonight one of them was up there roosting with The Big Girls.

Here's some of the Big Girls out free ranging (fat, healthy, shiny, happy chickens)

Finally, here's our security system Rex:

Doing internal perimeter check:

Doing reflection check:

On hawk watch. He chases and barks at hawks. Everyone runs for cover when Rex barks. If you could see his eyes in this pic you would see he's looking up, on watch.

Well that kind of brings everyone up date on our free ranging, nature's way system here. If you have any questions, please ask.

 

[speckledhen]

I love Rex. What a great dog!

 

[ruth]

Quote:
That he is Cyn and your babies will have a great home here. I can't wait to get your Blue Orp eggs.

 

[beefy]

you got any roos yet Ruth? i swear that one chick looks like a duck when Rex was doing the reflection check.

 

[airmom1c05]

Fascinating thread, Ruth! I am really looking forward to having Penny laying again. Maybe we will have success next time, and I will get to see Mama raising the chicks! All of your birds are very fortunate and super healthy. I love your yard and coop(s).