California - Northern

[PetRock]

Is she a Langshan?? very similar looking to an AL but smaller comb and waddles. Such sweet pics

Thank you! Precious is a hatchery Black Australorp. Langshans were used in foundational matings for Australorps so they should have some similarities. The eggs were from the farm where my Langshan flock is happily free ranging.

 

[PetRock]

Nothing like the sight of a broody with her babies!

Yep! I could sit out there all day and watch them.

 

[PetRock]

Great pictures and precious is one lovely girl!

Thank you!

The last chicks she raised were 3 one day old Speckled Sussex chicks that we slipped under her. She was a great mama for 4 1/2 weeks and then she was done. But she had done her job and the chicks were integrated into the flock. They are some of my best foragers! It will be interesting to see how long she will raise these three.

 

[redriver]

So, tonight is the girls' third night in the coop. They all put themselves to bed quite early. We have a freeze warning, and supposed to have some pretty good breezes. Having built in so much wonderful ventilation, that actually might be an issue. Had to make a choice to 1) do nothing, 2) bring them back in the garage, or 3) move the heat lamp out to the coop for the night. Was a bit horrified by talk of roosters loosing their feet to frostbite.

Chose to move the heat lamp out to the coop. Plus, unplugging it is easier than trying to catch the chicks when you're late for work.

The first evening the chicks were out in the coop/run, they had no clue that they were supposed to put themselves to bed. After it got dark I tossed them in and shut the chicken door (got one of the new AdorStore doors). The second night, they were pure comedy. Three of them were perched in the opening blocking the stragglers from getting in. It was like I was watching a chicken version of Red Rover. Check out the video if you want a laugh.

 

[PetRock]

Now THAT is precious! (Excuse the pun.) I seriously need a broody!

My daughter doesn't think that she should have that name. As top hen, Precious rules and makes sure the other hens know it. Monet roots for the underdogs and gets upset when Precious or her enforcers put the others in their place.

 

[debs_flock]

Quote:

Quote:
Yes, our remodel started last October, the kitchen was stripped to the sheetrock and had lots of other places in the house repaired. It was like living out of a foot locker. I cooked Thanksgiving dinner on a hotplate and in the guest apt. oven over the garage, LOL. The only thing left is painting all the interior and replacing the carpet..........it was pale dove gray about 30 years ago.................

Who puts dove gray carpeting in a house in the country?

on the eggs!

 

[PetRock]

Took some more pictures of the Pita Pintas and Basques today!

I'm so in love! Now, if they'd just stay still at the same time I could get some good shots!

Megan, Your birds are so beautiful! How are things going at the ranch? I sure don't miss that drive over the hill to get there. Now I'm driving not quite as far to my friend's farm in Brentwood. But she has several kids and they take care of feeding, watering, collecting eggs, etc. I'm only out there once a week.

 

[debs_flock]

My new babies arrived early. For once I had a positive experience with the PO. I just got them all settled in.

Story and (better) pictures tomorrow.

 

[PetRock]

So, tonight is the girls' third night in the coop. They all put themselves to bed quite early. We have a freeze warning, and supposed to have some pretty good breezes. Having built in so much wonderful ventilation, that actually might be an issue. Had to make a choice to 1) do nothing, 2) bring them back in the garage, or 3) move the heat lamp out to the coop for the night. Was a bit horrified by talk of roosters loosing their feet to frostbite.

Chose to move the heat lamp out to the coop. Plus, unplugging it is easier than trying to catch the chicks when you're late for work.

The first evening the chicks were out in the coop/run, they had no clue that they were supposed to put themselves to bed. After it got dark I tossed them in and shut the chicken door (got one of the new AdorStore doors). The second night, they were pure comedy. Three of them were perched in the opening blocking the stragglers from getting in. It was like I was watching a chicken version of Red Rover. Check out the video if you want a laugh.

That's funny!!! Chickens are so entertaining! We have our juveniles (10-14 weeks old) in an outdoor brooder area with a large dog igloo with a secure door. It took 10 days of catching all 14 of them and putting them in the igloo before they would go in by themselves. My daughter and I celebrated the eleventh night when they finally put themselves to bed!

 

[PetRock]

My new babies arrived early. For once I had a positive experience with the PO. I just got them all settled in.

Story and (better) pictures tomorrow.

So sweet!!!