Ahh don't thank me yet, until something I said actually works for you
I have been imitating chickens since I was 2. My Daddy and I raised Plymouth Barred Rocks, starting back in the early 60's and on, so as a kid, of course you know, kids imitate everything lol! I had great talks with the chickens back then!! I swear they talked back too!! I went out this morning, to do chores and the two that like climbing up my back, onto my shoulders and head, I always cuddle them in the morning. They are a bit smaller and I think at the bottom of the pecking order, so their feet feel cool to me, so I think they just want to warm up like they would with a mamma chicken.
They are nice and warm when everyone is sleeping in the huddle, they sleep in the middle, but once everyone is up, their little feet get cool, so I stand there and cuddle till they want down, and off they go, all content. By then, the sun is up enough for the window I put on the east side, to warm the coop up nice! We have had a few cool nights, the past few nights. Really weird weather we are having this summer. Even for here, the temps are all over the place.
Glad you are enjoying the saga of our coop
I worked with dogs too, for years and years and my Daddy taught me animal husbandry, so I am using some of that, and some natural instincts, and common sense all put together. Seems to be working so far. My flock is healthy, happy and thriving! Even though they are hatchery chicks. This is my first time with the hatchery ones, so it is a new experience and although a chicken is a chicken, there really is a big difference in a breeders chickens and this hatchery lot. I seem to have to teach them everything! I had expected to do that to some degree, but everything?
I'm not going to do the hatchery chicks again. Next year I am going back to the heritage birds. I love my guys and gals, and this has been a very fun experience, but there is such a huge difference, in so many ways, that I did not realize there would be, that I am going back! I have 10 Plymouth Barred Rocks on order and am on a waiting list for the spring for them and 6 Dominiques I am on a waiting list for also for spring and both are heritage lots. I can't wait. I'm sure most of these current chicks will do fine with eggs for a bit, so they will stay for now, but I will faze them out, over time, and stay with the heritage breeds! This was a good way for me to get back into chickens again though, after quite a few years of not having any!
Yeah I love that tractor. Think I might make one for here, next year. We still have atleast two more buildings and many runs to build, after this one is finished, for next years flock. Plus I am going to try a wired fence too, so I can free range them, but not this year...too much on our plate for this year already
Possibly in the spring, after mud season is done we can start the fence project!
I love all things animal!!!
