Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[babyfoot]

Mulberries.... I have great memories of the first time I had mulberries... I also remember that I ate so many that I didn't need dinner that night, and we ran out of poopoo paper the next day... LOL. I can't pass a mullberry tree now with out snagging a handful, and I am also smart enough now not to eat until my belly is full. Ah... what a difference 30 years can make in the decision making process...

As for the green grass... I don't expect to see that again for many a month... It's too cold here. I think I need to move...

They say never to plant a mulberry near a pathway, driveway or washing line. When we lived at floreat park our 80 year old neighbor had the loveliest mango trees.

My mulberry was recently transplanted to a huge pot on the veranda as it had failed to thrive in the back paddock. We were waiting to decide where to replant it. It is giving us a huge yield of fruits. Hubby had never picked a mulberry before and ... yes you've guessed, squished them as he was picking them and my patio slabs are a lovely shade of mottled red and brown, even washing it immediately didn't get rid of the stains

 

[babyfoot]

My mother hen has decided to abandon her chicks at only 6 and a half weeks old, it's very sad time and she pecks them on roost at night too. However on the bright side, this is the time I really enjoy as they now come to me more often for some affection. I am officially a surrogate hen mummy. They sit on my shoulders, on my lap, come running when they see me, try to fly up at me, peck my feet for attention or to be picked up. It's still sad, they are cheeping constantly but mum doesn't want to know. They are also being rather brave and exploring three acres together (all three) I am sure one is a male and one ios female but the white one... I am still on the fence there. The comb is still smaller than the male's and is not red yet but... it is still bigger than my female's comb. No sign of wattles yet. Here's hoping. The Whistling Kite/Eagle was hovering a lot today and the Carnaby's were flying in dive formation chasing it away as it may have been after their babies. My wee babies have learned to hide under a Black Boy when the Roosters alert them

 

[babyfoot]

 

[Bens-Hens]

From the above pic, I would think the white one is a pullet, I would be confident to say two 'wee lass's and one wee laddy'

Ours are 8.5 weeks old and not yet roosting, well they do during the day on any of the things I have in there for them, but at night they like to huddle.

Was kind of a breakthrough tonight as about half the pack were under cover, normally they all huddle at the gate and I have to go down there and move them to where the wind and dew won't get them.

I stuck a $2 solar light from KMart in there to try attract them at dusk but it seems to only light the way for me.

 

[Fancychooklady]

This age is my favourite time. They are voracious half the time and tired the other half. Cuddles are always special. Lovely pics.

 

[Fancychooklady]

My mother hen has decided to abandon her chicks at only 6 and a half weeks old, it's very sad time and she pecks them on roost at night too. However on the bright side, this is the time I really enjoy as they now come to me more often for some affection. I am officially a surrogate hen mummy. They sit on my shoulders, on my lap, come running when they see me, try to fly up at me, peck my feet for attention or to be picked up. It's still sad, they are cheeping constantly but mum doesn't want to know. They are also being rather brave and exploring three acres together (all three)  I am sure one is a male and one ios female but the white one... I am still on the fence there. The comb is still smaller than the male's  and is not red yet but... it is still bigger than my female's comb. No sign of wattles yet. Here's hoping. The Whistling Kite/Eagle was hovering a lot today and the Carnaby's were flying in dive formation chasing it away as it may have been after their babies. My wee babies have learned to hide under a Black Boy when the Roosters alert them 

My surrogate silkie has left her babes too. She simply decided it was Time to go back to her roo. So king George has elected himself as " chief babysitter ".
He is giving his girls a break and I think now is as good a Time as any to worm everyone. I have more silkies hatching today and still holding my breath , waiting for the light sussex to march out from under the hay shed. Will get some pics.

 

[Henrietta2]

Mango is great - just make sure nobody is allergic to the sap from the tree. It can be nasty. I buy 10Kg of mango at a stall on Day1 of my trips to the Phils.

Good point! I am allergic to the sap but I love mango so much that sometimes I eat one now and then. I have discovered a way to lessen the effect: peel the mango then rinse thoroughly in fresh water. It's not the fruit it's the peel.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Here are my little coro's today. Hatched 15 th oct.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Cool, our's are not there yet! They are starting to feather out at about the same rate and pattern, but one has a bigger comb. They both have tiny spur bumps though. Shoulders are just coming in.

As for the fruit trees, we are leaning towards a couple of multi graft trees and a mango. We looked at buying the fruit salad brand but they are pretty expensive, so I am beginning to learn more about grafting and how we could do the process ourselves. I have some experience with cuttings of citrus, just need to expand on that.

In 'big chick' news, they all made it to the shelter tonight unassisted. Yay, one less jog to do at dinner time!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Both sexes will have the spur bumps. At 4-6 weeks the roos waddles become very obvious, from memory.