fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

A wonderful day!

Indeed!

I just checked on the Dominiques, they were not in their cave, they were huddled together in the back corner of the coop, AGAINST THE WIRE!

I know a raccoon or other predator could pick at them through the HWC so I slid a small screened aquarium cover (used for lizards and such) against the side of the coop, wedged in with the wheelbarrow, between the chicks and the outside wall.

I then laid a piece of HWC along the back wall on the outside, with a wire shelf to hold it in place, which was secured by a heavy lawn chair.

What I do for these featherbrained charges of mine...

 

[NanaK]

We do what we have to do.

You are a GREAT chicken mama!

 

[fuzzi]

From today...

Digging to China?

Current setup:

Uh oh...

"Red" (left) approached "Blue" while Blue was eating. They locked stares for 5-10 seconds, then Red turned and walked away nonchalantly. "Blue" has been crowing.

Dominiques, Day 2 of Freedom:

 

[fuzzi]

"Blue" has officially been given a name.

"Joel"

Joel was an Old Testament prophet who told the people to awaken!

Joel is the first and only cockerel in my flock to crow.

 

[fuzzi]

The 6 week old Dominiques are now using one of the port feeders (I have two set up for 16 chickens):

 

[fuzzi]

Last night I observed the pushing and shoving show that was the Sussex getting up on the roost. More than one was almost pushed off.

Things should quiet down a little once the extra cockerels are gone.

Someone discovered the end roost...

 

[fuzzi]

Two nights in a row one cockerel is roosting separately...did someone get banished from the roost? There's room on the end.

Not sure which one it is, though I suppose I could pick him up and look at the leg ring(s).

Dominiques found a cozy spot, directly below.

The weather continues to be unseasonably chilly. We're not going to even hit 80° this week!

 

[fuzzi]

Friday was a busy day outside.

After stopping at Lowe's in the morning to purchase some cement blocks I cleaned the threads on the outside faucet (hose bib) and attached a new 100' hose. It will reach the raised beds AND the coop.



I placed two of the cement blocks in front of the nesting boxes, as steps.

Cockerel approved!

I've been almost tripping over one of the feeders, knew I needed to move it elsewhere, under the tarp section...but where?

This should work. I think I may need a pan to catch the feed they're spilling. Note the cement block.

Much safer for me.

The Dominiques have been eating from the feeder behind the roost. I still feed them mush feed where the bigger Sussex can't access it, or them.

They're exploring most of the coop except by the door, as there's more Sussex and less clutter there.

I think they like the new perch.

 

[fuzzi]

Saturday was a washout, rain and wind all day.

The shade cloth is definitely making a difference in the amount of rain hitting the litter inside the coop. I need to attach it better.

I didn't take a picture, but on Friday I raised the main waterer up on a cement block, then used a bungee cord to attach it to the cattle panel frame for stability. Today the cups were almost totally clean!

While I was checking the feeder levels I took some photos of the top three cockerels, ranked based upon Sussex standard.

Joel, aka "Blue":

Look at those iridescent feathers coming in!

"Red", who waited below the main roost while Joel was there:

Nice big boy feathers coming in!

And waiting in line for the throne, Fleck, aka "Purple":

Still working on finding homes for the other four cockerels. Eventually I will have to rehome two more... unless they can "get along".

 

[fuzzi]

Sunday Morning

I was standing by the kitchen window looking out at the backyard when I thought I heard a flock of geese. Didn't see any so I opened the window an inch to hear better. The noise was coming from the coop and sounded like an alarm chorus. I slid on my clogs, grabbed my hat and jacket (it was pouring rain) and hurried out to the coop.

Normally as I approach the coop door the chicks run towards me, clucking in an anticipatory manner. But they were already gathered in the open area, and quieted down as I came near. The Dominiques were directly behind the Sussex, all away from the back of the coop. I went inside and they milled around my feet. I checked out the inside, to see if they'd been startled by something falling over, nope.

So I made mush and everyone was appreciative.

I did a circuit around the outside of the coop, didn't see evidence of digging, etcetera, but something definitely set off the flock, they were all upset. I believe a stray cat or possibly a raccoon got close to the back of the coop.

"It's okay, Mom's here!"

You can see the Dominiques under the
wire basket in the back corner, eating in peace! The Sussex are trying to figure out a way to get to the Dominiques' food, though they have their own.

On the lookout...

Oh, and here's the new waterer setup.