Keep your fingers crossed - New run arrivig

[Alagirl]

Sounds like a good name for a chicken story. Recoop: A Chicken Keepers Memoirs

Exactly! I might use the title!

 

[Alagirl]

Looking good!

I could have used some of that rain. Send it up here, please.



Been there and done that. I made a temporary feeder shelter during an integration and misjudged the slope so I overlapped two pieces of metal roof scrap the wrong way so that water poured into the feeder.

I dumped it out and the flock had it cleaned up in a couple days -- just watch to make sure it doesn't mold and shovel it out if it does.



Look like girls to me.

It was not that much feed, just a quart jar full. They should have it cleaned up by tomorrow, and the ants carry the rest off (black ants, they are everywhere here)
I was a little worried about my RIR and my bigger Barred Rock but they seem to be girls to my untrained eye.
So far so good.
Now I want some white chicks.
(not just yet though. maybe next year)

 

[3KillerBs]

It was not that much feed, just a quart jar full. They should have it cleaned up by tomorrow, and the ants carry the rest off (black ants, they are everywhere here)
I was a little worried about my RIR and my bigger Barred Rock but they seem to be girls to my untrained eye.
So far so good.
Now I want some white chicks.
(not just yet though. maybe next year)

I love my California White. She's the only chicken I have who is smart enough to fly back into an enclosure she flew out of.

And she is a MACHINE for the production of 65g white eggs.

I'm keeping one of her daughters and bought another California White this year. I might even give her a third year after she molts because her production fall-off has been to go down to 5+ eggs per week rather than 28 days out of 30 like last year.

 

[Alagirl]

I love my California White. She's the only chicken I have who is smart enough to fly back into an enclosure she flew out of.

And she is a MACHINE for the production of 65g white eggs.

I'm keeping one of her daughters and bought another California White this year. I might even give her a third year after she molts because her production fall-off has been to go down to 5+ eggs per week rather than 28 days out of 30 like last year.

well, I am sure mine will live a happy retirement, and live to poop.
I know I won't cull a thing.

 

[Alagirl]

I love my California White. She's the only chicken I have who is smart enough to fly back into an enclosure she flew out of.

And she is a MACHINE for the production of 65g white eggs.

I'm keeping one of her daughters and bought another California White this year. I might even give her a third year after she molts because her production fall-off has been to go down to 5+ eggs per week rather than 28 days out of 30 like last year.

you know, if you'd lived closer I would consider putting in an offer for the gal. 5+ eggs is still great to my lay (lol) eyes. I am however not seeking to sell eggs.

 

[3KillerBs]

you know, if you'd lived closer I would consider putting in an offer for the gal. 5+ eggs is still great to my lay (lol) eyes. I am however not seeking to sell eggs.

I don't think I'd want an entire flock of them, but I will probably keep a California White or two in every flock.

 

[Alagirl]

Ok, FINALLY
Son and I finished the fortification - for now.
Strung the dig apron around, and secured the hotwire.
Puppy tested it, and bolted clear across the yard with a rebel yelp. I might not have to leave it plugged in all the time, which is good, the whole thing is rigged a little iffy. But pupster got the message to not touch the fence for now.
the backyard is a jungle, the run a desert, LOL. I need to fix my lawnmower. They laid waste to the area in no time. I need to throw then green stuff in again, I think.
So far they seem to cope well with being only semi sheltered, have learned to roost.
And they come by and peck my toes when I stand still for a long time.
I can hear them when I walk across the yard with a low drawn out weeeee when I get out there in the morning.
And I have them spoiled already, they expect something yummy when I go down there.

 

[3KillerBs]

might not have to leave it plugged in all the time

Better to always leave your electric on.

If for no other reason than that you don't risk forgetting to turn it back on after it's been off.

 

[Alagirl]

Better to always leave your electric on.

If for no other reason than that you don't risk forgetting to turn it back on after it's been off.

I will eventually have to modify everything a little more. By the time I am done with that thing (and probably buy extension panels) one won't recognize the run from the bare bones model out of the box!
I will probably get a solar charger, which makes the whole setup a little more efficient, plus of course, solar panels are not off the table at all, seeing that I still need to build at least one nest box for them - but I am considering to go with a 5 gallon bucket for now.
Right now I am just not handling the heat very well, this will have to do for now.

So things I am considering: putting in a 'floor' along one side, about 4 feet deep, a roost above, a dry space for the nest and feeder below. Concrete board siding at least in one corner, to secure the ends of the roost. Right now things seem to work,

and I am coming to terms with having 5 chicks of 3 breeds.
I have to travel here shortly, I hope nothing happens while I am gone, and THEN I can consider getting a rabbit.
I need all the poop I can get!