I Built A Bridge!

[lizgarf]

Ding, ding, ding, ding!!! Teila wins a sticky bun!! Madeline Khan was such an amazing singer/comedienne! We lost her way too soon.

I am so impressed with your 3 broodies, TG! I blame Grace for all the bad inter-flock ju-ju in this year's hatch. Why can 2 do it together, but not 3, or 8?? Everyone else in my flock seemed to want to help, until Grace was so mean to them. Oh, chickens!

Well, this certainly sounds like the day for critters wandering into where they're not wanted. I came home this evening to a house reeking of skunk! After careful smelling, it appears that the skunk came inside the dog door and sprayed before (or while) getting chased out by Reggie, who managed to not get sprayed herself.
Your story about the peakcock is way better, TG! Was it your own peacock? Too funny how the broodies took care of it!
Actually, along the same vein, I was out in the back with Grace, Frida, and clan (always the last to get back in the run), and realized that Penelope my cat had come out for a cuddle and, while everyone was a little nervous, it went very smoothly and congenially. Mostly, she just encouraged the broodzillas to take their bubbies back to the run after all!

Come on over anytime, 16P! There's usually something yummy on hand.

As for city v. country-living, I can say that I like the idea of moving further out into the country, but I can't imagine doing that all on my own, and right now I have the best of both worlds. I'm very close to the best of city life, and yet still have enough space for a little one-woman farm and big trees to hide at least some of the neighbors. I'm pretty spoiled, actually, and I'm letting the limits of city life keep me from getting myself into too much trouble, taking on things I can't handle on my own. And, my hermit tendencies would get the best of me if I lived any farther from civilization than I already do!

It really is fun to watch the chicks in the yard. They sure love to fly! Here is the best flyer, Alice, seeing what's what:

 

[lizgarf]

Breaking news! At exactly one month from the hatch date, all 6 of the popular kids are sleeping on the roost with Grace and Frida (and Auntie Bettina)!! They are so cute!! A pair of bubbies, then Frida, another pair of bubbies, then Grace, then the two boy bubbies and a gap before Bettina. Pictures were taken, but it's too late to decide if they're worth posting now.
It seems a little early, but it looks to stay in the 60's tonight, and who am I to stop them? It's not like I'm going to crawl into the carrier to sleep with them! At least I don't have to clean out their broody nest anymore.

 

[Teila]

Hello again

TG aaaaw, so adorable! Good to see you are following the ‘proof by pictures’ rule

Lolz at “felfie”!

Love the story about poor Mr. Pea; I bet you he will not be making that mistake again!

Liz wooo hooo; I get a sticky bun! I get a sticky bun!

A skunk? Gees, I’ll pass on that one thanks, just a sticky bun will be fine.

Post the pictures! We don’t care about quality, I am sure they are good enough for us to get the idea!

Lucky you; not having to clean broody nests is bliss. Just sweeping out under the roost every morning is so easy in comparison.

Tina and bubbies are going well … a bed time air lift was once again required but I am sure they are going to work out that ramp soon enough and in the meantime Tina is getting lots of exercise running up and down it “see, you do it like this!” Oh yeah, the bubbies are affectionately named Gloria and Spot until we know whether they are boys or girls or one of each.

Blondie’s broody box arrived today and within an hour I had it put together. It is only small but it will do the job and if/when the eggs hatch I can extend the little run it has now using the temporary fence Tina currently has; she shouldn’t need it by then.

Anyways, I popped her in it with a couple of dud eggs just to see if she took to the new surroundings. She did the whole "let me out, let me out, let me out" routine and then looked in the nest box "ooooh eggs!" . Once she saw the eggs she settled right down and stayed put (she has been sitting on fresh air and straw for a week). She is one determined broody!

I will give her the good eggs tomorrow; I do not think it will be a problem

Also, I formally request the title of honorary mini-farmer. At the moment I am cat sitting for my neighbour. His cat, Ziggy, has cancer and understandably David could not afford the thousands of dollars it was going to cost for a Cat Oncologist etc and even if he could, no guarantees that it has not already spread. Anyways, David is trying Essiac Tea (I think that is the stuff he is using).

So, in the mornings I feed our two cats, make up seed and side salad for the big girls, chick mix and mini side dish for Tina and the bubs and now another seed and side salad for Blondie then I pop over to Ziggy and give him three syringes of this tea mix, breakfast, cuddle etc.

In the afternoons, pretty much repeat above but add in two ponds of gold fish to feed also.

I feel like I am running a mini-zoo and loving every minute of it!!

 

[Teila]

This morning's breakfast preparation and that is just the chickens

 

[16 paws]

This morning's breakfast preparation and that is just the chickens

Looks like a gourmet buffet.

Too cute...

Wow, your girls are very spoiled. Clean dishes and all! Lol
What kind of side salad do you give them and where do you use the apple cider vinegar?

 

[Teila]

Tee hee 16 paws, yep they are spoiled

The dishes come in every evening and get washed ready for the next morning.

Today's side salad is a mix of lettuce leaves with some rice and some left over turkey roll from dinner. Tina and the Jelly Beans get the same side salad as the big girls but with only a tiny amount of turkey and chopped up into smaller pieces. Obviously there is FF for the big girls and chick starter for the Bean family. The little red dish is Blondie's now that she is in her broody coop.

They get a change of water morning and afternoon (I know, overkill

) and ACV is added to each water change. I change the water in the afternoon as I notice that they all have a drink before going to bed and it just seems nicer that they have fresh water rather than water that has sat there all day.

ACV is a personal preference and I have always added it to my gals water for the following reasons:

* It apparently maintains a good pH balance in their digestive system and makes it a little uncomfortable for worms to live in. So while not an actual wormer, it can be a deterrent.
* It can act as an antiseptic killing bacteria in their throat and is reported to keep bacteria out of their water. I know it is recommended to people with sinus issues also.
* Some think it increases egg production! I can't comment on that one! lol

 

[ItalyChickie]

IC I am a Gimp fan!
Blondie thanks you for your support

I have given it a lot more thought and agree with the general consensus that it is not really mean. Cilla has had a chance to be a mum and now also Tina, I guess Blondie deserves the chance. There is also the possibility that Tina’s two bubbies could be boys which sadly means they will have to be rehomed leaving that 6th spot free. I am very much a believer in ‘everything for a reason’ so rather than stress, I will go with the flow and see what eventuates.

I have always been a Blondie fan, so how could I not support her?

I think you have the right attitude - everything for a reason. I was super worried about my extra boys from the first hatch this year, but guess what? Two neighbors asked for roosters! (One of them had one but he disappeared over this summer, another had just hens and decided he wanted the protector.) So not only I found them homes, I still get to see them a lot. And I have a waiting list for the pure breeds... so I'm sure it will all work out eventually - both for me and for you.

Adorable dust bath pics and no apologies needed - we love seeing them! (Ok, maybe the work doesn't like not getting done, but we have nothing to do with that.)

It does make a fuss doesn't it? We are not going to go with the "every broody needs eggs" philosophy next year. I am sort of overwhelmed at the moment.

Thanks for the Cosmo support. He will have his own pen in a few weeks but in the interim the free ranging thing looks like the only option. He will get his girls.

Mmm yeah, that philosophy probably doesn't work long term. And I even broke 3 of them twice (the broody triplets... they have been on and off broody since January) - that's 6 more hatches that didn't happen.

Somehow it's going to work out, I have to believe that.

Thankfully my more rowdy boys are off to the neighbors now, Cochins and Orps and Silkie cross boys are very very mellow, even though I catch them trying to sneak up on hens once in a while.

I love this!! Life is short, which is why I currently have 17 chickens and sticky buns baking in the oven!

But man, I might want life to be even shorter if I had a few more chickens. They're a lot of work! How on earth do IC and TG manage with more than 40 and hold down jobs!?!?!?! I am so easily distracted by the ones I have.

"Manage" is a big word...

There are some days that I don't, not really - that would usually be hatch days and a few days after. But overall, I am good at focusing on one thing at a time, be it work, chickens, or cooking... except for cleaning, everything seems to distract me from that.

Your sticky buns look yummy!

I say it's too early to tell on Frankie... let's hope it's a fast-developing girl!

Ah, makes sense. I may do business card layouts now and then, but get by well enough in Illustrator for that. The company I work for used Typestyler for their artwork development before I started there, and until the computer went kaput and we upgraded everything. I am a big fan of Illustrator. Funny thing is, I used to despise it in college.

I don't even know what typestyler is... I was actually an advertising major, so mostly studied theory etc., only did one design course in college, which was the 3 then-main programs rolled into one class (Photoshop, Illy and Quark of course), plus the portfolio one at the end, but I loved the design part so much I got those programs at home and spent all my free time learning them.

liz: I am no help with sexing unless it is totally obvious and for every clear cut example there is at least 1 that could go either way. I am currently struggling with these two. They are a project bird and have no standard. They have been bred to have tiny/almost non existent combs so that isn't much help. I thought they were both cockerels but now I am not so sure. Do you all have thoughts? They are 13 weeks old today and I took these shots yesterday p.m.

That comb looks exactly like my Cochin girls did at around the same age, but of course if they normally have a smaller comb than the Cochins, that also doesn't help much... still, doesn't look boyish to me at all.

Tina and bubbies are doing well. Tina tried to coach them up the ramp to bed last night and while she was in the nest calling to them and they were down below peeping their little heads off because mumma had disappeared; somehow, they magically air-lifted up to the nest

Blondie’s eggs arrived this morning and are now ‘settling’ from their journey. Wow, talk about well packed! These eggs arrived in a large, round package bigger than a bed pillow which was full of shredded paper. Inside this was a shoe box full of more shredded paper. Inside that was 6 x eggs wrapped in tissue and then bubble wrap. Needless to say, no breakage in transit! I reckon you could have played football with that package and the eggs would not have been cracked!

These eggs are all marked 'MB' (mixed bantam) so, once again, SURPRISE!

Blondie’s new broody coop should arrive today or tomorrow! I got a good bargain and the price included a free name-plate for which I chose ‘Beware of Broody’. Sadly, the name plate printer broke down and they have advised that it will be delayed; I am not worried, I am more interested in the coop, the name plate is just for fun!

Yay, a surprise for Blondie!!! And you know she will love it!

I LOOOOVE the "Beware of Broody" name-plate! Now I want one too!

Because unless you all see it, it doesn't happen here are my 3 mamas and their 4 bubbies, 1 week old today.


Those are my feet. is this a felfie?

Not sure if it qualifies as a felfie - I think there are rules on the % of you that has to be visible... nah, kidding! it totally qualifies!

The 3 co-broodies are too precious!

Breaking news! At exactly one month from the hatch date, all 6 of the popular kids are sleeping on the roost with Grace and Frida (and Auntie Bettina)!! They are so cute!! A pair of bubbies, then Frida, another pair of bubbies, then Grace, then the two boy bubbies and a gap before Bettina. Pictures were taken, but it's too late to decide if they're worth posting now.
It seems a little early, but it looks to stay in the 60's tonight, and who am I to stop them? It's not like I'm going to crawl into the carrier to sleep with them! At least I don't have to clean out their broody nest anymore.

Oh that is adorable!!!!

My 2.5 month olds are still sleeping in a pile... can I send them to you so they can take some lessons?

Tee hee 16 paws, yep they are spoiled

The dishes come in every evening and get washed ready for the next morning.

Today's side salad is a mix of lettuce leaves with some rice and some left over turkey roll from dinner. Tina and the Jelly Beans get the same side salad as the big girls but with only a tiny amount of turkey and chopped up into smaller pieces. Obviously there is FF for the big girls and chick starter for the Bean family. The little red dish is Blondie's now that she is in her broody coop.

They get a change of water morning and afternoon (I know, overkill

) and ACV is added to each water change. I change the water in the afternoon as I notice that they all have a drink before going to bed and it just seems nicer that they have fresh water rather than water that has sat there all day.

ACV is a personal preference and I have always added it to my gals water for the following reasons:

* It apparently maintains a good pH balance in their digestive system and makes it a little uncomfortable for worms to live in. So while not an actual wormer, it can be a deterrent.
* It can act as an antiseptic killing bacteria in their throat and is reported to keep bacteria out of their water. I know it is recommended to people with sinus issues also.
* Some think it increases egg production! I can't comment on that one! lol

Ok, I think the "most spoiled chickens" award goes to Teila!

Those dishes sound rather good for people as well, lol! And yes, I use ACV too, though I have no idea whether it helps with the egg production or not.

In my news, I have none. All is well, everyone is growing, and I really should take some new pics. Maybe over the weekend.

 

[lizgarf]

Stop the presses!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark September 25 in your calendars as an official holiday, because JAN LAID AN EGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8.5 months after I brought her home, right now when life in the coop is more stressful than it's ever been and hens her age are molting, Jan decides to reproduce! Maybe she's jealous of the others having babies? Maybe it's the chickstarter? Or, maybe she's been counting combs and decided she had better shape up or ship out! I don't know, but yesterday morning, I noticed her comb was bright red and she was checking out the nest boxes. (The day before, I saw Desi checking them out, making chirping noises, so he must have known what was up with his girlfriend.) Then, when I brought treats out, there was no Jan!! I didn't bother her, went on a bike ride, where I fantasized about the egg and Jan Day, but came home to Jan out of the nest and only Bettina's egg inside of it (of which I was still grateful, given the current drought). But today, she also was in the nest at treat time, and I let myself get hopeful again, and behold!


Here is that egg basket photo you wanted, TG. You can see how long it's been with only Bettina doing the laying work on the farm:


In related news, Lucy is definitely molting. She's getting the pin feathers on her neck and is even more flighty than usual. Yesterday I had to catch her to put her back in the run, since she was doing her rebellious adolescent routine, and it was the first time I'd picked her up since she was a chick, and man oh man, that was the loudest I've heard a chicken scream. I had to call out to my neighbor that no chickens were being harmed, and he said he didn't believe me! So much for raising a chicken from hatch to make her more friendly!

Finally, here's the belated pics of the chicks on the roost at night. Seems to be going well.
First night:


Second night:


And, it rained last night! We typically don't get rain in September, so this is great news for those of us in drought and fire country! Between the egg and the rain, September 25 is definitely the new holiday for my farm, if not the Bridge Club.

 

[16 paws]

Stop the presses!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark September 25 in your calendars as an official holiday, because JAN LAID AN EGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8.5 months after I brought her home, right now when life in the coop is more stressful than it's ever been and hens her age are molting, Jan decides to reproduce! Maybe she's jealous of the others having babies? Maybe it's the chickstarter? Or, maybe she's been counting combs and decided she had better shape up or ship out! I don't know, but yesterday morning, I noticed her comb was bright red and she was checking out the nest boxes. (The day before, I saw Desi checking them out, making chirping noises, so he must have known what was up with his girlfriend.) Then, when I brought treats out, there was no Jan!! I didn't bother her, went on a bike ride, where I fantasized about the egg and Jan Day, but came home to Jan out of the nest and only Bettina's egg inside of it (of which I was still grateful, given the current drought). But today, she also was in the nest at treat time, and I let myself get hopeful again, and behold!


Here is that egg basket photo you wanted, TG. You can see how long it's been with only Bettina doing the laying work on the farm:


In related news, Lucy is definitely molting. She's getting the pin feathers on her neck and is even more flighty than usual. Yesterday I had to catch her to put her back in the run, since she was doing her rebellious adolescent routine, and it was the first time I'd picked her up since she was a chick, and man oh man, that was the loudest I've heard a chicken scream. I had to call out to my neighbor that no chickens were being harmed, and he said he didn't believe me! So much for raising a chicken from hatch to make her more friendly!

Finally, here's the belated pics of the chicks on the roost at night. Seems to be going well.
First night:


Second night:


And, it rained last night! We typically don't get rain in September, so this is great news for those of us in drought and fire country! Between the egg and the rain, September 25 is definitely the new holiday for my farm, if not the Bridge Club.

Yeh for Jans egg! Congratulations on the egg and the rain. I am going to mark my calender right now. Happy Eggyrain day all.

What a beautiful Day!

 

[Teila]

Goood morning Bridge Club

Hhhhm, it will probably be afternoon here by the time I finish composing this post between incoming Helpdesks.

IC congratulations on rehoming your boys so close!

I still do not have the ‘Beware of Broody’ name plate but I will take a snap shot when it arrives.

Good to hear that all is going well, no news is good news

Liz Oh wow! Wonderful, wonderful news .. way to go Jan!!!

Lols at counting combs .. maybe she was a bit worried that her meal ticket may be expiring and she had better lift her game

Beautiful egg!

I had a similar experience with Dusty and the molting. She lost so many feathers so quickly I picked her up to see if she was OK; I had no idea that it would hurt her. Poor little munchkin, Lesson Learnt.

Aaaaw the roost pictures are adorable! They look soo cute.

We had rain yesterday also .. actually, quite a big storm. I had to race outside and airlift the Jelly Beans and Tina off the ground and into their coop before the storm hit. Luckily Tina seemed to know something was coming and she stayed in the nest box with them. I was a little concerned that because it was not actually raining at that time, she would just wander back out again. Luckily I did not leave them to hide under the coop; when the storm had passed there were little swimming pools in the holes Tina had dug during scratching lessons, definitely deep enough for a chick to drown in.

Blondies new broody coop kept her nice and dry.

All good here .. no news of note.

Wooo hoo for Friday … hopefully it will be a nice weekend and I can get some updated pics of the Jelly Beans and Blondie’s new abode.