fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[1muttsfan]

It is a toasty, filtered sunlight 22°, warmest it's been in days. Not spring here by a long shot. The snow is above my knees so I had to dig out my snowshoes to be able to get out to the bird feeder without a struggle. But the chickens are very happy today to be out, they have been shut in due to the icy temps and cold north wind.

 

[NanaK]

Good morning from arctic eastern NC!

We ended up with 3-4 inches of nice fluffy snow Wednesday. Then came the sleet and freezing rain Wednesday night. Thursday we got more snow.
Roads are icy. It was in the teens last night and same for tonight.

Could hit 70f on Tuesday.

My run is covered but my older hens decided to go out to eat and go right back in the coop. They decided to lounge inside most of the day. The younger girls didn't seem to mind the cold.

I had troubles with roos wattles and rubber bowls. They would dip the wattles and get frost bite.

I've had that happen too. I found by elevating the bowls it helped alot. I still elevate the bowls a little for the hens.

Sadly, I do not have a roo right now. The last boy I raised ended up being the most aggressive roo I have had. We tried to work with him but it was a no-go. Amos was a beautiful Blue Laced Silver Wyandotte but that attitude. I want to find me a nice boy.

It's been sleeting here, some, but mostly we're having freezing rain.

Hope you didn't have any problems. There was some power outages but we've been fortunate.

 

[fuentemoon]

That occurred to me, would be more labor intensive. I have a hard time drilling through the metal, as it's flimsy. Maybe a different drill bit?

I used zip-ties to attach the HWC to the cattle panels on the first hoop coop. It's held.

I would use a screw as a drill bit. Other option is mark where you want your holes take the metal down so you can lay it flat and then drill.

 

[fuzzi]

Good morning from arctic eastern NC!

We ended up with 3-4 inches of nice fluffy snow Wednesday. Then came the sleet and freezing rain Wednesday night. Thursday we got more snow.
Roads are icy. It was in the teens last night and same for tonight.

Could hit 70f on Tuesday.

My run is covered but my older hens decided to go out to eat and go right back in the coop. They decided to lounge inside most of the day. The younger girls didn't seem to mind the cold.


I've had that happen too. I found by elevating the bowls it helped alot. I still elevate the bowls a little for the hens.

Sadly, I do not have a roo right now. The last boy I raised ended up being the most aggressive roo I have had. We tried to work with him but it was a no-go. Amos was a beautiful Blue Laced Silver Wyandotte but that attitude. I want to find me a nice boy.

Hope you didn't have any problems. There was some power outages but we've been fortunate.

We wound up with something over an inch of wintry mix, some sleet but mostly freezing rain, all day. Thankfully the power stayed on.

With the shade cloth over the hoop coop the ground has stayed clear. We've had two winter storms this year, and there's only been a little white stuff on the edges.

A couple of the pullets have decided to fly at me when I enter the run carrying a container, when I am "bringing gifts" of a sort. Esther actually landed on the plastic bowl, and it made me laugh.

I'll be training them next, go on the circuit as "fuzzi's Fabulous Flying Featherbrains"!

 

[fuzzi]

I would use a screw as a drill bit. Other option is mark where you want your holes take the metal down so you can lay it flat and then drill.

That's a thought.

After more thought I'm probably just going to use the metal as part of the roof, and cough up money for a couple sheets of T-11 siding.

 

[LaFleche]

Ron went Home to be with Jesus this morning.


It's a blessing, he's not suffering anymore.


Thank you for your kind words, and prayers.

Oh dear! I am so very sorry!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

That's a thought.

After more thought I'm probably just going to use the metal as part of the roof, and cough up money for a couple sheets of T-11 siding.

View attachment 4055689

This will be nice and probably a little easier to work with.

 

[Shadrach]

We wound up with something over an inch of wintry mix, some sleet but mostly freezing rain, all day. Thankfully the power stayed on.

With the shade cloth over the hoop coop the ground has stayed clear. We've had two winter storms this year, and there's only been a little white stuff on the edges.
View attachment 4055679
A couple of the pullets have decided to fly at me when I enter the run carrying a container, when I am "bringing gifts" of a sort. Esther actually landed on the plastic bowl, and it made me laugh.

I'll be training them next, go on the circuit as "fuzzi's Fabulous Flying Featherbrains"!

You may find that the flying at you stopss once they know everyone is going to get something. Tull and Sylph did it for about a week, then because I give out the treeats by hand mostly and Henry goes first, they've learn't the routine and don't bother me unless I've made the treat call. Henry will wander up from time to time, dropping hints but when I touch his beak and say "later" (hard word to confuse with much else) he wanders off.

 

[fuzzi]

You may find that the flying at you stopss once they know everyone is going to get something. Tull and Sylph did it for about a week, then because I give out the treeats by hand mostly and Henry goes first, they've learn't the routine and don't bother me unless I've made the treat call. Henry will wander up from time to time, dropping hints but when I touch his beak and say "later" (hard word to confuse with much else) he wanders off.

I've tried doing more hand feeding lately. Silas will take a bit for himself, but doesn't share with the hens. However, Zacchaeus rarely eats "treats". He takes what I offer, and if a hen doesn't snatch it from him he calls them, and offers it. He's a good roo...almost a roo, he's 11 months old.

I got 5 eggs today, nice! I've been collecting 3-4 daily, from my six 2yo hens and three 9 month old pullets. Since they don't lay every day I am happy with the numbers. It's plenty for me and to share. And I may start pickling eggs again.

I am planning on a hatch again this year, and hopefully getting at least 3 females.

Chicken Math.

 

[1muttsfan]

3-4 eggs a day here as well, all blue so from my Arkansas Blues and the 3 EE's I picked up last fall. Good girls!