Flock/Life Journey's 2019

[shelbyw]

Good morning/evening you guys! So I have a question that I know is probably over asked but I would like some other answers specifically on this species of the plant I just recently bought a whole bunch of lavender, honeysuckle, elephant ear hostas, and a lot of ground covers. I specifically have a question based on the honeysuckle since I wanted it to climb up the back side of my chicken yard. The honeysuckle is called Major Wheeler honeysuckle and it should bloom dark red(which I can’t wait to see!) but I’m torn because I don’t know if it will be ok on the coop since some of the other species of honeysuckle are considered toxic. I haven’t found anything on Major Wheeler yet about toxicity and chickens but if I have to, I will just plant it down by our stream and just buy grape vines that are chicken safe I haven’t planted the honeysuckle yet by the way

 

[Brahmachicken240]

photos from this morning.

The guineas nest.

 

[MysticUniKitty]

Flock Update:

Well a lady that i know from town heard I was rehoming some of my pullets and she asked if i was rehoming the RIRs. I said yes and so She got all excited and said she loved my other two i rehomed to her (Honey and Lemon) and asked if she could pick them up this morning. I said definitely!! I can still see them and I know they are going to an awesome family that has a full size run for them to wander in and 3 little girls to get treats from! I've really been torn with rehoming some of the big girls... and this made my day

I've been letting the baby babies run around the shed every now and then to get to know the big girls and them the babies. so far no one has charged at them. Just curious stares and "sniffs"? My middle son asked me what we would do if a chicken attacked him or someone else.... (apparently he's had some anxiety about this) and I told him if it's a truly mean bird, than the only good place for it is in the stewpot. He seemed happy with that answer.

So this brings me to a question. Do any of you have special needs kids that are around the flock? If so what precautions do you take and watch for? My oldest is SPED and though it's very minor, i have to constantly remind him to be gentle and not ruffle the feathers. My middle one has behavioral issues... or severe anger issues, but around animals he's the most gentle and caring person I've ever seen! Right now i have a rule that is no one can pick up the chicks unless i'm physically beside them.

anyways I'm writing a book here. It's just been one of those weeks where I stress and worry which solves nothing....

 

[ronott1]

New one for me. Egg inside egg. This is a quail egg.View attachment 1725690 View attachment 1725691 View attachment 1725692 View attachment 1725693 View attachment 1725690 View attachment 1725691 View attachment 1725692 View attachment 1725693

Poor Quail!

 

[ronott1]

Flock Update:
My ladies were out free ranging for a little this afternoon.
Almond hasnt laid for 2 days so far but Hazel is still laying daily.

I cant wait to build my bigger chicken coop. Im at $750 now in the savings.

How many hours of daylight are you getting now? Older hens will stop laying when you hit about 12. First year pullets often slow down but do not stop

 

[Brahmachicken240]

The palm trees in the lawn are loosing their new up and coming fronds due to the horrible wet weather we’re having.

The ones in the patio are fine, probably cause they’re protected by the other plants in the patio.

 

[FlockQueen]

I think it's just that I put them together from day old chicks and give them plenty of run and coop space plus little lean tos etc so they aren't all trying to crowd into the same spaces. I'm not sure that the chickens don't think they're ducks and vice versa but oh well. The first few days i have to spend a lot of time out there with them and make sure none of my existing flock is being aggressive with the new ones but so far it's working out quite well! Now...if i could run these hawks off from trying to snack on my ducklings. I'm putting up bird netting now but the size of my run makes that a challenge all it's own

Oh, look at that! You have everyone intermingling together! How’d you do it?

 

[FlockQueen]

Poor little ducky came out just in time to save this one. Unfortunately not the smaller one the hawk went for first. Putting up bird netting but the run is very very big. I'm on the 6th 14x14 foot package and i think I'm going to need another 6 packages

 

[ronott1]

Poor little ducky came out just in time to save this one. Unfortunately not the smaller one the hawk went for first. Putting up bird netting but the run is very very big. I'm on the 6th 14x14 foot package and i think I'm going to need another 6 packagesView attachment 1725905

adding breaks in the run will help too. Stuff to stop the hawk from swooping down into the run.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Poor little ducky came out just in time to save this one. Unfortunately not the smaller one the hawk went for first. Putting up bird netting but the run is very very big. I'm on the 6th 14x14 foot package and i think I'm going to need another 6 packagesView attachment 1725905

Poor thing, I hope it’s okay.
Good luck hawk proofing your run!