fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Feel the same. No need to go to the Dr for viral stuff unless it gets bad. They always say the same thing. Tylenol for fever, fluids, rest.. bla, bla,bla. $$$

And the need to fill out FMLA paperwork on the third day.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I hope you feel better soon

Still waiting on that very first special egg!

 

[fuzzi]

Then I saw this yesterday afternoon:
View attachment 3577471
It wasn't like that a few days ago. I've had green algae in the waterers before, but not brown slime.

Soaking in a water and white vinegar solution:
View attachment 3577473

After it's thoroughly cleaned I'm going to find a location in the coop that doesn't get direct sunlight. And I plan to add a little ACV to the water.

To be continued...

Part two...

I cleared the area to the left of the door, the south side of the coop, next to the woods, and noticed something new:

Someone was determined to get in, but failed.

The hardware cloth HELD, no breaks of any kind. I did a circuit, everything looks tight.

I wanted to raise the cement block, to keep the drinking cups as free of litter as possible. I placed two bricks on the ground, leveled them by eye, added the block, and pushed down hard. It felt solid.

Martha had to inspect and approve. I have a feeling she's the head gal.

I filled the waterer a little more than halfway, added three splashes of ACV (approximately 3 Tbsp), covered it and dh carried it into the coop for me

I adjusted the bungee cord, secured the waterer to the coop frame and looked it over.

There was dappled sunlight on top.


Easy fix: I dropped the shade cloth until sunlight was no longer reaching the waterer.

Of course Martha had to go first:

She sampled one cup, then moved to the next, got a couple good drinks.

Martha approved, the roos were next.

 

[fuzzi]

Roo update!

I see spurs emerging, but so far there hasn't been much conflict, not that I've noticed.

Samuel's leg ring appears to be getting tight again. Since I can tell the boys apart by their combs as well as coloring differences I think I'll just remove it.

See his "flag stripe" wings?

Joel, with his "standard" 5-point comb:

 

[fuzzi]

Addendum to the waterer relocation...

In order to move the waterer to the woods side I removed clutter that was there to provide escape routes for the Dominiques when they were integrated.

I took the fence panel to the other side and laid it up against the structure.

More shade without sacrificing much airflow...I think I like it.

 

[fuzzi]

Is this Hannah with her red girly comb?

It's a sign!


Everyone's looking good!

I keep meaning to thank you for pointing this out, somehow I had missed noticing Hannah's comb growth. My previous flock were rosecombs.

 

[fuzzi]

Today my Speckled Sussex bantams are 20 weeks...FIVE months old!

 

[3KillerBs]

Eggs are coming!

Today my Speckled Sussex bantams are 20 weeks...FIVE months old!

 

[fuzzi]

Finally got a good picture of Tamar!!!

She and Lydia are the hanger-backs, while Abigail and Naomi are bold enough to sneak in between the Sussex to grab a treat.

The last two days I have been giving them tomato tidbits, and the flock is overwhelmingly enthusiastic, even more so than about grapes.

I noted this evening that, at 14 weeks, the Dominiques are calming down, they don't scuttle away as I approach. As I was bent over, trying to get some decent photos of her sisters (I failed), Tamar hopped closer to look me over. I looked up at her, and she cocked her head at me, and made a little churrup noise.

 

[fuzzi]

The German Johnson tomatoes don't release easily. While trying to pick one today it ripped in two.

I missed a shot of all five eating the half-ripe tomato.

Happy chicks:

Then my dh started mowing the yard!


The tomato was immediately abandoned by the Sussex, for clippings...