fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Catching up...I have just been very busy with family and getting back into the swing of work.

Sunday Evening:

Aw. Rahab took in Joanna, what a sweet momma. That's Joanna underneath Rahab, tail towards the camera.

Wednesday Evening:

How long will Rahab mother them?

First taste of corn...on the cob!

Zacchaeus has not attacked my skirt or feet for days. He's also not hiding anymore. Zack's been sleeping on the A-frame roost at night, close to the main roost...to be closer to the flock for comfort or due to protecting instinct?

One minute of conversation with Zacchaeus:

 

[fuzzi]

P.S. They're laying again! I'm getting 3-4 eggs daily, woo!

 

[fuzzi]

Update

Full house!

Zack is still roosting alone

And I'm still getting 3-4 eggs daily!

 

[1muttsfan]

He will gain confidence along with his adult plumage.

 

[fuzzi]

It keeps raining and raining and raining here...there are no puddles in the run but the litter is very wet. I have been throwing a flake of straw in there daily and letting the hens scratch away. The younger chicks watch.

That's Silas on the left.

 

[fuzzi]

He will gain confidence along with his adult plumage.

He's learning to take bits of tomato from my fingers.

And the littles are learning to do the same.

 

[fuzzi]

Two more days of downpours. The yard is all puddles, very unusual for us. And while there aren't any puddles there's a slight ammonia smell in the coop. I believe it's due to nothing drying out in between storms. Even the straw in the nest boxes is damp. I am planning on cleaning out the litter this weekend, once the weather clears some. I have a bale plus of straw stored, but will probably pick up two more bales tomorrow morning.

And I got FIVE EGGS today!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Two more days of downpours. The yard is all puddles, very unusual for us. And while there aren't any puddles there's a slight ammonia smell in the coop. I believe it's due to nothing drying out in between storms. Even the straw in the nest boxes is damp. I am planning on cleaning out the litter this weekend, once the weather clears some. I have a bale plus of straw stored, but will probably pick up two more bales tomorrow morning.

And I got FIVE EGGS today!
View attachment 3901340

Eggs look great!

Having a lot of wet weather can be the pits. We've finally been getting rain which is needed, but it can be a challenge to keep things tidy.

 

[fuzzi]

Busy morning...

 

[fuzzi]

I knew I needed to tackle the coop, asap. The forecast for today was cloudy conditions, rain later in the afternoon. Doable.

First I went to the local nursery and bought wheat straw. Regan found two dry bales under the plastic tarp and loaded them in my SUV. Afterwards I headed for the coop with a spading fork, shovel, and garden rake.

The feeders had to be removed first so I could work without impediments. Then I used the fork to remove the top layers of straw and manure at the back of the coop, under the roost. I filled the wheelbarrow with it.

The girls liked the bare earth I uncovered.

Lots of helpers!

I wanted to put the soiled litter in my Gorilla cart, but was concerned it would be too heavy. I didn't want to damage my door sill so I moved the litter from the wheelbarrow using a small garden cart. I filled it about 2/3 so I could lift it over the sill and dump it in the bigger cart.

It made for more trips, but was easier on me as well as the coop.

I started spreading fresh straw where I had removed the litter, happy chicks!

I also put fresh dry straw in the nest boxes since the straw in there felt damp.

See how the soil is dry under the straw?

Most of the wet litter was located on the edges of the hoop coop, where heavy rain soaked in. I'd also thrown yard clippings in that back area, which may have promoted too much bacteria growth. I won't put fresh cut stuff under the roost again.

I also scraped fine litter from the outside edges of the coop, letting air get to the PT wood frame.

The soiled wet litter went into a raised bed I've been building up with wood (Hugelkulture), shredded leaves, and yard clippings. I removed one side board so I could use the dump feature of my Gorilla cart (thanks to @gtaus for the recommendation!)

It took two loads, yes!

The finer, dryer litter from outside the coop went on top of the other raised bed (picture below, on the right). I'll top it off with soil and compost before planting, it shouldn't be too "hot" to plant in a month or so.

I have to add here that I found a use for a shovel I'd bought at Habitat for Humanity thrift store a couple years ago. It was perfect for getting the dregs of soiled litter out of the wheelbarrow. And it was only $2!

I hear thunder, here comes more rain, but my flock has dry, clean bedding and nest boxes!

Thank you for taking the time to read.