Colorado

[Latestarter]

Alrighty then... About 10:30 last night we had a huge T-storm pass through with the associated heavy rain. About midnight, right before I went to bed, I looked outside and sure enough we had the beginnings of a white coating on the ground. We didn't get much overnight, but the ground is dusted nicely with snow and it's still lightly snowing nice big flakes. So, though it started later than normal this year, I guess this means that winter is indeed finally upon us. If some normalcy remains, this is a prelude and we'll have a few more days/weeks of nice weather before the real cold/snow hits. Guess I better stop procrastinating and get those final chores done.

Hope all are well! If you're out on the roads this morning, take care and drive easy.

 

[Mtn Margie]

We got about an inch and a half, still snowing but probably won;t get much more. This was an amazing Fall! Warm, but enough moisture thrown in to not burn down.

 

[uzisuzuki]

Am I the only person with chickens that ends up with them flying up onto their shoulder or head? I feel like I got a bunch of birds who would rather be carried around instead of walking themselves.


The peahens are getting huge. Hopefully, by spring, they can free range with the peacock (granted we get new neighbors that won't harass them like our current ones have the peacock). They've been getting more adventurous when everyone gets to free range by actually leaving the extended pen, but for the most part they stick pretty close to each other and the coop.I did have to chase the lighter one back from the front yard once because she was following the peacock after something. All 3 peas have become extremely protective of the chickens and the chicken area. The peacock looks after my tiniest pullet (from the first picture) and he breaks up scuffles within the chicken flock.

We finally got the tin roof on the main pen last weekend, but I haven't gotten the sides wrapped in plastic yet so the pen was still wet from the thunder/snow storm we had last night. Plus side, it wasn't flooded like it would have been had the roof not been on it. I just need to get the plastic and plug the holes in the tin and I might be able to keep the birds dry this winter!

 

[Latestarter]

Glad you're making at least some progress Uzi... I haven't put the heaters in the water buckets yet... I want to hold off until we have sustained cold... The waterers are inside the coops which average 5-10 degrees warmer than outside, and the day time temps are well above freezing. I don't need or want a higher electric bill until it's absolutely necessary. That was some T-storm last night wasn't it? I don't remember having one like that all this past summer! Oh, wait, you had a hail storm at your place didn't you... It missed me...

I don't have chickens land on me. I never really allowed it when they were chicks, so I guess they never imprinted that it was something to do. Actually... Mine were never meant as pets, so they didn't get handled all that much in that regard... The only time they really got handled was when I needed to check/medicate them or move them or such. Sounds like your Pea fowl are working out OK. They should be really magnificent next year as fully fledged adults.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Really quick update on things here before the computer crashes again.

Little leghorn is continuing to improve very slowly. I am still feeding her by herself twice a day fermented feed and she is eating it well.

Cough still lingering but getting better slowly. (aging is a drag it takes so much longer to get better)

Never had one land on my head but Miss Lillian Underfoot was just that "underfoot" and would rather be carried than walk. I miss her since she was so very friendly.

Flock doing well. Mice dying by bucket traps so that helps keep things calmer.

Sarah (Dark Brahma) would like me to add more roost space so that is on tap for this Saturday as is making better window closures.

Lots of molting and attitude from some of the hens. Once they finish molting they act better. Must me uncomfortable to molt and making them cranky.

Uzi. You have some super cool birds in your group. I am very glad they are getting on well and the Peacock don't take no crap off no one. Keep up the good work with your interesting group!

I do keep reading the posts just not always time to post myself since my computer is trying to croak on me.

 

[COChix]

@alebuela long time no hear or see from you! Glad that everyone is doing well and that Meggli is fitting in. Yes our Welsummer's hens were the largest girls from our original flock. Saffron has not been laying for at least a month, she was the most horribly molted and has gotten all her feather back. Sounds like your flock is doing well and it is always good to have staggered ages of hens so assure that you will always have some eggs. Glad everyone is doing well.

Moving, don't get me started. Things have been a bit up in the air, we have been waiting some work to be completed on the living space. Once that is done, then we can get started moving us, the dogs and birds. We will have no more than 12 hens to move. We have two large dog kennels that will be filled with some straw, water and that is it. I don't really see the move itself being hard. It is coordinating everything up to that point.

We still haven't made final decisions on who will be processed. The feather eaters, which is 3 and now I am debating about Left Eye our Delaware. She continual pops out soft shelled eggs. I assume her being blind in one eye might lead her to not be able to forage as well?

Cold here this am, first hard freeze it was 21 this am.....brrr

 

[21hens-incharge]

Super cold here too this morning. I had frozen water for the first time this season. I am sure there is much more to come. There is always something needing tended to on the coop. I spent so much of the summer sick that I am way behind where I needed to be. I am hoping the temp rises some so I can get out there and get busy.

Most of the trees in my yard have yet to drop or even turn colors. The flower beds are acting weird as well from the long fall. The Siberian iris have popped up as have the hardy gladiolas. Hoping they make it through this winter. It would be nice to have them in the spring.

Moving is a drag getting everything situated. I am sure it will get better once you are all settled.

 

[suncatcher]

Wow, beautiful day here today, and I have no outside chores to do, hmmm, something is definitely wrong!! Oops, I do have to thaw out my FF bucket, even inside the covered coop it froze the last few nights, so I lied!

Hope everyone is out and enjoying this weather too, if we could do this all winter I would be a happy camper, few days cold, and then in the 50's and 60's the rest of the week!!! Am I asking for to much? Time to just sit in the sun and enjoy it!!!

 

[uzisuzuki]

Does anyone have any tips on putting up/wrapping the pen with plastic? I'm going to attempt to get it up tonight when I get home from work, but I don't want it to end up like the tarp top cover and rip off the first time a good wind blows through.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Uzi, I know I am late in responding but can you use strips of wood to secure the plastic to the frame of the run? If you can sandwich the plastic in there it will hold better.