fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[CoopBoots]

Where do you live? It gets below freezing here, but not for extended periods, and very rarely below 20°F.

Not too far; Middle TN.

 

[fuzzi]

I took the day off and since it was dry, mild weather I decided to do some outdoor chores. First I mowed leaves on and by the driveway. The self-propel feature of the push mower decided to die while I was doing the slope. Whew.

The flock appreciated the treat...three bags of chopped leaves in their run. Lots of scratching commenced.

Then I decided to switch out the old shade cloths on my hoop coop with a new one. I recently got a 16'x20' cloth, which is the same size as the coop's dimensions.

I laid out the new cloth next to the coop to check for issues before removing the old cloths.

The tarps on the end were in good shape, probably because they'd been covered by the shade cloth.

Second cloth removed...what a view!

I cut a piece out of the old cloth to cover the west end of the coop, and protect the tarps.

I put some bricks on top to hold it in place, temporarily.

Then with my dh's help we spread the new cloth on top. It kept catching on end wires of hardware cloth but we managed to get the shade cloth in place without doing noticeable damage.

The new cloth was bigger than 16x20, it went down to and along the ground! I folded the cloth back up the sides and secured it with zip-ties, for now.

You can see where I folded back portions so the flock wouldn't lose the view from their perches.

I ziptied the shade cloth to the coop frame through the grommets, then added bungee cords in the back to secure it more.

I need to do some tweaking, but it's fairly secure for the time being. I like it being one cloth instead of two, no gap in the middle of the coop to let in steady rain.

 

[fuzzi]

Drama, drama...

After everything was done and as I was putting away tools and supplies I heard a loud commotion from the coop. Silas was being a , chasing Hannah around and around from the front to the back and around again. He wanted something and she wasn't in the mood, probably because she's in the middle of a hard molt. She got stuck between the waterer and the coop frame, couldn't escape, and I had to extract her. Silas was still interested in Hannah so I picked him up and tucked him under my arm. He struggled a little, then submitted. He sat with me for about five minutes.

When I placed Silas on the ground he headed towards the back of the coop, and the hens. Zack came up to Silas, flapped his wings, arched his neck, raised his hackles...and Silas turned back. Good.

I know Silas is feeling his oats, he's just over 5 months old, but I am not going to let my hens be bullied by him. He can have a timeout in the brooder. Or maybe Zack can handle it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The new cloth was bigger than 16x20, it went down to and along the ground! I folded the cloth back up the sides and secured it with zip-ties, for now.

I'm sure they enjoyed the leaves! Mine always do.

The cloth looks good!

I like those cloths, I order different sizes from Amazon. Sometimes they still do come a bit long.
What I do is fold the cloth "under" then use zip ties like eh, maybe safety pins(?) capturing both pieces of cloth and "hem" the cloth all the way across to the length I want. Does that even make sense?

 

[fuzzi]

I'm sure they enjoyed the leaves! Mine always do.

The cloth looks good!

I like those cloths, I order different sizes from Amazon. Sometimes they still do come a bit long.
What I do is fold the cloth "under" then use zip ties like eh, maybe safety pins(?) capturing both pieces of cloth and "hem" the cloth all the way across to the length I want. Does that even make sense?

It does! I was using clips that have a screw for tightening on the previous shade cloth. I might reuse those. And in my shed there's a bunch of 1x1 boards that I was planning on using to secure the cloth ends to the coop frame. We'll see.

 

[fuzzi]

Silas continues to push himself on the hens. And they don't like it, it shows. I saw Martha lean over and peck him, HARD, no reason... just because he needed it I'm sure!

Silas also managed to grab Hannah by the neck, and was running alongside as she attempted to evade him. Suddenly Zacchaeus was right alongside Silas, keeping pace and leaning on him, like bumper cars, or demolition derby.

Hannah got away, probably because of Zack's interference. He's not fighting Silas, but appears to be asserting authority in other ways.

Since the egg laying drought continues I opened up the brooder today, to give the flock a little space to explore. None of the hens went in...until Zacchaeus checked it out first.

Once the hens start laying again I will close it up, as it's difficult to access eggs laid underneath.

I am very pleased and encouraged by Zacchaeus' behavior. I'm hoping he will continue to grow and mature into a Very Good Roo.

 

[fuzzi]

Hannah a year ago

Hannah's new molt

Pure white feathers, wow!

 

[CoopBoots]

Hannah a year ago
View attachment 3983140

Hannah's new molt
View attachment 3983141

Pure white feathers, wow!

Oh my word. She's stunning. If I looked half that good I'd never stop looking in the mirror I wonder if they feel a bit rejuvenated after all that hard work molting. It certainly pays off!

 

[kcan2]

I am very pleased and encouraged by Zacchaeus' behavior. I'm hoping he will continue to grow and mature into a Very Good Roo.

I think that hard peck on the noggin Zach sustained as a chick knocked a strong distaste for all inherent rude Roo behavior into his adult life! He probably made one of those inner vows "I'll NEVER be like that." Or - he's just a good roo, anyway, he has always had my vote!
Hope Ms. Hannah is feeling better, she certainly looks it!

 

[fuzzi]

I think that hard peck on the noggin Zach sustained as a chick knocked a strong distaste for all inherent rude Roo behavior into his adult life! He probably made one of those inner vows "I'll NEVER be like that." Or - he's just a good roo, anyway, he has always had my vote!
Hope Ms. Hannah is feeling better, she certainly looks it!

Zacchaeus doesn't crow, much. I've heard Silas more, lately, but Zack is quieter...well, he "talks" more, crows less.

All the hens are looking better. I don't know if it helped, but I fed them a handful of dry cat food daily for the last couple weeks.

Oh my word. She's stunning. If I looked half that good I'd never stop looking in the mirror I wonder if they feel a bit rejuvenated after all that hard work molting. It certainly pays off!

Thank you! She's not showing "Standard" feathering, but I don't mind. She's been a steady layer and a fun little personality to observe