Arizona Chickens

[Menmyrc]

I just got a "you were right" phone call! Throughout the coop building process, DH frequently asked things such as "Are you sure you need the hardware cloth all around the coop?" "Do you really think anything is going to dig under?" "Why do you need the hardware cloth going up the sides?" "Why can't we just use the chicken wire that we have?", etc. Every time I held my ground and insisted on doing it my way.

Before moving the chicks in we had found that large gopher snake which was promptly dispatched. I felt kinda bad about that since they do help control critters, but I knew he would be back and by then the chicks would be in the coop.

This morning DH called. He's taking the day off work so he's doing some stuff around the garden. He called to say "I'm glad you insisted on all the precautions around the coop. There is a snake track in the dirt that goes around the coop about 3 times." He didn't do a head count because 46 chicks move too fast, but he doesn't see any evidence that the snake got in. I will do a head count as soon as I get home. I'm glad I'm stubborn!

 

[redrocketrooster]

My house no longer smells like a rabbit farm! I drove all six of the "extra" rabbits and dropped them off at different homes and breeders. It was really hectic trying to care for six large rabbits and my own animals while still maintaining my own business. I'm glad it's over and that they have homes, now I get to relish that awesome job well done feeling. I'm holding onto the baby Zealand for a while to figure out where she can go or if she should stay. It depends on if her escape from her mother so early affects her health. She's runty ya know? I've been pumping up her diet but she hasn't grown at all. At this point in a normal Zealands life she should be all around larger and heavier by a few inches. If she is small that isn't an issue. The biggest worry is that her teeth may be affected.

Can you spot the bunny?

Baby animals make the world go round!

 

[cluckin_crazy]

Quote:
OOH me too!! But I'm not capable of coming up with Pullet Bullet... that's why you get paid the big bucks.

The lightest one is the newb. Darkest is the CM, middle tan color is the RIW and the long light one is... ???? The only possibilities based on age are a Welsummer, an Ameraucana and an Aloha pullet - but the Aloha hasn't really gotten her "birthing hips" yet, if you know what I mean and that is a pretty hefty egg!

Guess I will have to wait until Saturday and see who I catch in the boxes

Here are today's eggs...

 

[pdx2phx]

Pullet bullet!?!

love the pocket bunny, redrockerooster!

On the subject of tools, I have always taken very meticulous care of them. Clean 'em when they're dirty....don't ever leave them in the elements, put them away when done and keep 'em tidy & organized.

My boyfriend, although very handy, leaves 'em in the rain to rust, loses them and never puts them away. Argh! All of my sets are missing pieces now and/or are busted up.

 

[pdx2phx]

Here is a pic of our 'indoor birds' Felix & Oscar getting into trouble (naturally)!

They were chortling and talking to each other in a very animated way (sounds like ewoks). I came back into the room to see what they were so happy about......and saw this! I think the caption should be:

She won't see us if we sit really still......maybe she won't think we did it!

And here is one of the chicks checking out their new pad, from a week ago. They have already grown so much since!

 

[Menmyrc]

Sooo, the scary snake trail turned out to be not a snake. When I got there this evening I looked and realized that's no snake. But what? It looked like something that was dragged around. I don't actually live at the property where my chickens are, but we are there pretty much every day. Last night someone was messing with our neighbors horses so they called the sheriff which resulted in a "manhunt." The trail was my neighbor's hound dog's chain collar dragging on the ground following the intruders!

 

[Beckyhsinglsc]

Quote:
That's scarier than a snake.
Did they catch them?
People shouldn't be messing with other people's animals!

 

[redrocketrooster]

Congrats on the new layers! I can't wait till mine get going, 6 months is normally laying time right?

I'd rather the trail be a snake than a dog, maybe you can put a repellent down? A CAM RECORDER TOOOO!

 

[gckiddhouse]

Quote:
OOH me too!! But I'm not capable of coming up with Pullet Bullet... that's why you get paid the big bucks.

The lightest one is the newb. Darkest is the CM, middle tan color is the RIW and the long light one is... ???? The only possibilities based on age are a Welsummer, an Ameraucana and an Aloha pullet - but the Aloha hasn't really gotten her "birthing hips" yet, if you know what I mean and that is a pretty hefty egg!

Guess I will have to wait until Saturday and see who I catch in the boxes

Here are today's eggs...


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/45139_eggs.jpg

You both know how to check pelvic bones, right?? That will tell you right away who's laying...

 

[gckiddhouse]

Pick up the chicken and turn it around. Put your fingers, pointing at the sky up against the pelvic bones. You will feel 2 pointy bones back there. If you can fit a full 2 fingers (women's fingers) between the bones, then the hen is laying. If you can only fit one, then she isn't. It is not scientific, obviously, everyone's fingers are different sizes. It is easiest to figure out if you compare the bones of a hen you know is laying to the others. There is a definite difference that you will quickly learn to recognize.

When my friend's chickens first started laying, we picked up each one and checked pelvic bones. When we got to the one who was the layer, it was very obvious that it was her. Her bones were much further apart than the others.

No worries, I have done this many times and have never had to touch the vent. It isn't gross at all.