MJ's little flock

[Ribh]

I'm doing well thanks! My long holiday ended last week and when I opened my email there were 899 unread If I'd started ten minutes later, it would've been 900. So that was one week gone. I've been getting some reading and writing done. Fortunately I haven't had any meetings, so I've been able to work at home which is nice, but today I've got a seminar and a medical appointment in the city, so I'm pondering my options for pullet safety. If I can persuade them, I'll put them in the henhouse and leave the big hens in the yard.

The roosting went ok last night. I relocated the pullets again. I might persist in relocating them for a week then if they're still roosting in the little coop, I'll shut them off and use a light like BY Bob suggested.

Other than the roosting, the pullets are doing very well. They're confident in the whole yard now and the hens' attitudes are softening every day. I'm very pleased with their progress

You've done a great job of your integration!

 

[Ribh]

Yay! You're back!

Yep. Sorrow. I thought I'd said I'd be away for a few days. Perhaps I didn't...

 

[Ribh]

This is deep into Tribe 1's territory. At the back of the picture where the trees start is a slope and it's pretty treacherous. Somewhere down that slope on the right is one of the coolest spots during the summer months and that's where one can often find the whole tribe. I think two of the hens have nests down there so that might be tomorrows mission; find the nests.
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I think parts of your terrain are quite like ours. It's rough to access.

 

[Ribh]

Good morning MJ

That indeed sounds perfect I'm thinking about something refreshing and maybe get back into my adult coloring books again. I'm hoping to relax enough to get a good night's sleep for a change.

I hope you get the rest you need, Sue.

 

[Ribh]

Shear luck, I guess. Anna chose the Barred Rocks herself and we just constantly handle our chickens. I honestly think they pick up how laid back and drama free we our. I don't yell at them, I've never hit them, the other animals have never threatened them.

I loved all the pictures!1 What wonderful memories & what a fantastic rooster!

 

[MaryJanet]

You've done a great job of your integration!

Thank you I can't claim any credit. The 2:3 ratio and the large yard made all the difference.

Today we moved the little coop into the middle of the chickens' yard to prevent Ivy using it as an escape route. Seems like a good opportunity to close it off and encourage the pullets to roost in the henhouse of their volition.

I'll be keeping watch in case I'm needed.

 

[MaryJanet]

Two HUGE announcements

First one. The pullets showed almost no interest in roosting in the little coop. They tried hard to get past the hens into the henhouse and eventually suceeded. Although in this very moment I can hear someone being pecked... Probably Peggy because she sandwiched herself between Mary and Janet. I think that's her best move in the circumstances. Janet is between Peggy and Sandy the Enforcer.

Ivy used the gift of flight to roost way up high on the rafter. It's not going to be comfy for her feet, but there's no pecking up there at all. Smart girl. I'll put padding around the rafter tomorrow.

Second big announcement!!!

It's a little egg!! And it's so blue! It looks grey in that photo, but it's blue blue blue!! Hooray!

I don't know which pullet laid it. Maybe Peggy. She seems older and Ivy is obviously still getting bigger every day.

So much for being 13 weeks old when I picked them up two weeks ago, crikey.

 

[MaryJanet]

New bluey beside three of Janet's.

 

[Ribh]

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New bluey beside three of Janet's.

 

[MaryJanet]

With Australorp, Pekin and Silkie in her parentage, I was expecting white eggs from Peggy. She must have some Araucana in the mix too.