Hello fellow chicken folks. It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything about my ladies. I started in April of 2023 with 12, day old chicks. I’ve never had chickens before and honestly didn’t want them to begin with. But my wife pushed me forward and I’m incredibly glad she did. I found amazing enjoyment with the ladies. They are funny and bring a smile to my face. I bring a lawn chair into the run (it’s winter here in Iowa) and bring some black sunflower seeds with and enjoy their excitement.
With that said, I’ve had a few heartbreaks as well. I had one girl die from being bullied by the other hens. I removed her, brought her into my woodworking shop and nursed her for about a week. Thinking and hoping she would improve, she died. Her last day she wouldn’t eat or drink, so I sort of knew.
My favorite hen died last fall. She was so friendly! She would jump into my lap and snuggle into my elbow. I’d pat her head and hug her. Her eyes would close as she felt safe and loved. That was incredibly heartwarming to me. Her sister has been quite affectionate as of late and she appears to have taken charge of the flock. Interesting how that happens.
Last week, I let the ladies free range while I got their food and water and cleaned the poop board. One lil girl, Prissy was fairly reserved and hung out in the run. I really didn’t think too much about it. I went out during the extreme cold we had over the weekend and found her dead. I was deeply saddened by her passing. She was a nice girl who was always the last to return to roost, always hoping for a worm.
So I’m down to 9 gals now. A couple of eggs now and again. I think I’ve gotten 8 eggs this month. But the days are getting longer and I expect them to begin laying again.
A friend of mine who has had chickens said I should develop a succession plan as my girls are getting older. While I enjoy them immensely. I’m not so sure I’m going to get more hens. My days are numbered (no I’m not dying) and my thoughts turn to traveling some in the future. I maybe able to have my granddaughters take care of them in my absence, but they still are pretty young. The chickens deserve human interaction and good care.
Anyhow thanks for reading my post. Here are the 3 hens that “crossed the rainbow bridge” and are playing with my angel greyhounds. In heaven, I believe the greyhounds are “small animal friendly” and enjoy chasing but not harming my ladies. God Bless!
With that said, I’ve had a few heartbreaks as well. I had one girl die from being bullied by the other hens. I removed her, brought her into my woodworking shop and nursed her for about a week. Thinking and hoping she would improve, she died. Her last day she wouldn’t eat or drink, so I sort of knew.
My favorite hen died last fall. She was so friendly! She would jump into my lap and snuggle into my elbow. I’d pat her head and hug her. Her eyes would close as she felt safe and loved. That was incredibly heartwarming to me. Her sister has been quite affectionate as of late and she appears to have taken charge of the flock. Interesting how that happens.
Last week, I let the ladies free range while I got their food and water and cleaned the poop board. One lil girl, Prissy was fairly reserved and hung out in the run. I really didn’t think too much about it. I went out during the extreme cold we had over the weekend and found her dead. I was deeply saddened by her passing. She was a nice girl who was always the last to return to roost, always hoping for a worm.
So I’m down to 9 gals now. A couple of eggs now and again. I think I’ve gotten 8 eggs this month. But the days are getting longer and I expect them to begin laying again.
A friend of mine who has had chickens said I should develop a succession plan as my girls are getting older. While I enjoy them immensely. I’m not so sure I’m going to get more hens. My days are numbered (no I’m not dying) and my thoughts turn to traveling some in the future. I maybe able to have my granddaughters take care of them in my absence, but they still are pretty young. The chickens deserve human interaction and good care.
Anyhow thanks for reading my post. Here are the 3 hens that “crossed the rainbow bridge” and are playing with my angel greyhounds. In heaven, I believe the greyhounds are “small animal friendly” and enjoy chasing but not harming my ladies. God Bless!
