Illinois...

On another note, I an so happy the weather had finally turned better! My chickens however decided that nice weather means they should go free ranging. One of our hens went over a 6 ft fence into our neighbors yard. His dog was out and did get her. She managed to be unhurt thankfully. My neighbor was our the with his dog and it wad a scene to watch him try to chase the chicken and hold the dog back away the same time.
Fortunately he is a friendly neighbor. I have to get bird netting up ASAP though over the run.
Bird netting still not up yet... I was working the garden today and wore myself out. I tilted the soil on Friday and again (opposite direction) on Saturday, but it still eased not easy to take below the first inch or two. I am forming rows and ended up having to use a mattock to dig out the trenches between the rows. Some tiring work... I only made it through half the garden today. I will have to work on it some more during the rest of the week after work.
DS tries to help, and at least he thinks he helps a lot. At 2 years old there isn't much he can actually do to help with working the soil but throw fistfuls of dirty and try to rake soil with his toy rake.
DW couldn't help because she's carrying the next addition to the family.
Oh yea, we are pregnant! I haven't shared that with you BYC peeps yet. Going into week 13. She's wrapping up first trimester (all that morning sickness...) just in time to enjoy nice weather. And she certainly enjoyed it as she kicked back in a lawn chair and watched me work a few pounds off.
Speaking of pounds, I think I just put a few on. We made rotisserie leg of lamb (had the butcher cut a leg into 3 peices for more appropriate sized meals), roasted potatoes, beans, cucumber/tomato salad, and roasted zucchini and eggplant. What a dinner... And it wasn't too much work since all but the lamb was leftovers from Saturday dinner with my Grandmother visiting.
 
Bird netting still not up yet... I was working the garden today and wore myself out. I tilted the soil on Friday and again (opposite direction) on Saturday, but it still eased not easy to take below the first inch or two. I am forming rows and ended up having to use a mattock to dig out the trenches between the rows. Some tiring work... I only made it through half the garden today. I will have to work on it some more during the rest of the week after work.
DS tries to help, and at least he thinks he helps a lot. At 2 years old there isn't much he can actually do to help with working the soil but throw fistfuls of dirty and try to rake soil with his toy rake.
DW couldn't help because she's carrying the next addition to the family.
Oh yea, we are pregnant! I haven't shared that with you BYC peeps yet. Going into week 13. She's wrapping up first trimester (all that morning sickness...) just in time to enjoy nice weather. And she certainly enjoyed it as she kicked back in a lawn chair and watched me work a few pounds off.
Wow a big congratulations on that news! :celebrate
Always glad to hear that there will be more chicks around, including the human kind!
 
A Belated Happy Easter to all.
We had a pleasant family get together on Sunday and sold almost all of our chicks on Monday. (Had to keep a couple for the broody hens' sake) It feels nice to have an empty brooder... temporally. The BIG hatch will be next week. Haven't decided if it's our last, but for now, we'll keep the flock separated into breeding groups.

Easter pics of the kids:
Grace Xansie.jpg Simon + chicks.jpg spitzes.jpg
DD loves her silkie, and DS is holding some of "Poof Poof's" grand-chicks.
 
For me it depends on weather. In the heat of summer, my chickens enjoy a nice bath (outside). A little soaking in a plastic tub does wonders! Chickens may be weary at first, then they relax and actually enjoy it. Afterwards when the feathers are wet, it's a good time to check a hen's skin condition to look for signs of mites & lice. If the weather's too cold for a bath, I will sometimes just cut out the clumps with scissors. Orps have a lot of butt fluff. The other breeds never get these issues.
 

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