Black Acres: The chickens that saved me

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No progress on the Serama Shed has been made. With the temps the last few days being around 7F with negative wind chills, neither DH or I wanted to be outside unless necessary.

Saturday and Sunday taking fresh water out to the coops every 2 hours from 7am to 7pm. They also were served warm mash and scrambled eggs and some oats. Coop temps never went below 17F and the whole flock seemed to do okay. Today was much better as we reached 40F but not a single chook has left the coop for over 72 hours now. They are not brave enough to step out into the snow. We are expecting temps in the mid 30s tomorrow so I’m hoping the snow will finish melting so they’ll come out to stretch their wings.
 
blackacres said:
No progress on the Serama Shed has been made. With the temps the last few days being around 7F with negative wind chills, neither DH or I wanted to be outside unless necessary.

Saturday and Sunday taking fresh water out to the coops every 2 hours from 7am to 7pm. They also were served warm mash and scrambled eggs and some oats. Coop temps never went below 17F and the whole flock seemed to do okay. Today was much better as we reached 40F but not a single chook has left the coop for over 72 hours now. They are not brave enough to step out into the snow. We are expecting temps in the mid 30s tomorrow so I’m hoping the snow will finish melting so they’ll come out to stretch their wings.
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Yep same here, it was -19c yesterday morning and only got to -9.

Today it now -5 and going to 0c (32f).... ROLLERCOASTER!!!

Yesterday I saw a Bald Eagle up the road a couple km, not sure if they hunt chickens or not as these splendid birds are not common here.

Anyone have any experience with bald eagles?
 
blackacres said:
Definitely keep an eye on the Eagle if you free range or your run is not covered. They are hunter of opportunity so if they feel they’re easy prey, they will go after them.
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There are several around here. They mostly eat fish out of the river, but they and hawks are the reason I have a covered run.

I don't know if they'd go for full grown birds, but I don't want to find out.
 
blackacres said:
Definitely keep an eye on the Eagle if you free range or your run is not covered. They are hunter of opportunity so if they feel they’re easy prey, they will go after them.
Click to expand...
Ya I just had a freak out couple of hours...

Missing chicken 😣

I walked this property looking g for chicken tracks, I tracked a fox tracks who cut across my property I check for chicken tracks around the manure pile. I just couldn't see where Whiskers got to.

Only conclusion is a hawk or other bird of prey got her 😟

I check inside this barn everywhere climbing up mountain of baled shavings... No Whiskers...

Poor Blanche just kept hanging out on the hay pile quietly chortling.... Wait? What?

That isn't Blanche making that noise is it? Where the H E double L is that coming from? I checked the whole pile for spots they can lay eggs - no hen... Yet I can hear a hen chortling... I get down on the ground and see this tiny crevasse and a grey fluffy butt... Stuck in between the bales!!!

OMG dumb arse cluck! What I don't have enough nest boxes? Well I hauled the bale out and there she was - Whiskers Chick-fil-A , I was so furious, glad, happy, and of course could see the gallows humour... I told her she at least had better have laid an egg there... She did 😁

All is well at Bay-de-Verde Acres today. But I told the chickies no one was ever allowed out ever again - or until I can Fix a proper covered run 😂 darn chickens
 
blackacres said:
Part Two

One day, while my husband was distracted by helping some friends clear brush, I went out to the garage an emptied a large, plastic tote and set it up on a folding table. I then threw a pet carrier in the back of my Blazer and set off to TSC. I purchased chick starter, some electrolytes, feed dishes, waterers and a heating plate. Can you guess where I went next? Yep, straight to my friends house.

We spent a while chatting about breeds and trying to decide which ones I’d like to give a go. I was very indecisive, so I settled on several different ones, 9 total. We loaded them into the carrier and I set off for home with my adorable 4 week old baby chickens screaming in the back. On my way home, my husband called. Part way through the conversation he said, “where are you? Is that chickens I hear?” I let out a nervous giggle and came clean. “Yes, those are chickens you hear and they are with me in the Blazer.” He then asks, “where are you taking then?” When I said I was taking them home, I swear the sky got dark and a tornado quickly swept through. He was not happy and he sure let me know it. “Why do you do these thing? Where are you going to put them? I told you to wait. I don’t have time for this!” Amongst many other things that were said. I told him they were only 4 weeks old and that I already had a brooder made up and ready and that would give me plenty of time to figure out their permanent housing.

I got home with my babies and set up the brooder and placed them all in. They quickly settled in and began chirping away, eating and drinking. I sat and watched them for what felt like hours. I couldn’t believe it. I finally had my chickens!
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Omg! They are SOOO cute. What kind is the silvery colored one in the from of the picture?
 

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