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

[Bens-Hens]

She is much wider than normal for sure.

We were just getting the rooster box ready with fresh straw and we heard a bit of a commotion going on sown the coop. Turns out the Rocks are nasty so and so's who pulled Sal off the nest so they could look at her eggs. Didn't even go in there!

So, tonight is the night, Sal will be moved after dark to her own private quarters with her own kitchenette and yard space. We just hope she likes it enough to not get confused and try get back to the rest of the flock.

 

[vehve]

Did you manage to exterminate the ants?

 

[Wrightsx4]

Sal looks determined! I'm a little worried that Fancy may not be capable of being aggressive to protect them once hatched. Time will tell. She doesn't hiss or growl, she even let's other hens get in the nest with her. She'll be moved to the other coop this weekend where her only roommates will be the older chicks.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I had surface treated the box for ants yesterday, then today wiped it over. I dusted a bit of DE in the bottom before putting in the straw.

I tell you what, I spoil my girls so much even chicken lovers would cringe! Here how we did the move, hold the snorts of laughter until the end!

Firstly, we waited until dust, but I was still worried Sal would leap off the nest in an effort to get back to the original box. I pondered how to make her think that this was her nest, so I grabbed ALicia's wheat pack, warmed it in the microwave, stuck it in a plastic bag and put it in the spot we wanted her to move to. (I know...who pre-warms a chickens bed right?)

So, the kids wanted to help, so it was a family affair full of "one at a time boy's" and "Slow down" with a few "calm down lads" thrown in for good measure. My boys are easily excited for 5 and 7 so the reigns had to be pulled in pretty tight with them, they were rather excited.

Alicia, went into the coop where the rest of the girls were settling in for the evening and she scooped up big fluffy Sal. As soon as the nest was vacant, two little hands gently collected the eggs and put them into an egg carton I was holding, all the while issuing more commands like "take it easy, we need to go slow"

Gently we al moved up to the box under the patio, a long trip of about 50m. I carefully stacked the eggs in the hollow where moments before a wheat pack had sat. Alicia went to place Sal in and she did not seem happy, she squawked and looked like she was about to flee. As soon as she sensed the warmth, or the eggs or both she calmed down and settled on them. Has not moved since!

She has her own stash of food and water and the meanie Rocks can't get to her. She should be in for an easy ride as far as incubating goes.

By this time it was too dark to get a new pick. Tomorrow I will get one. She will get plenty of checks being near the house. It will be good to make sure there is no further ant issues too.

The show goes on!

 

[vehve]

Typical, missed the ferry coming out to the cottage, and now i missed it again going back. Both times by 15 seconds, it had just cast off.

Ben, as a precaution, should you do the legs in bucket thing that Oz does?

 

[satay]

I had surface treated the box for ants yesterday, then today wiped it over. I dusted a bit of DE in the bottom before putting in the straw.

I tell you what, I spoil my girls so much even chicken lovers would cringe! Here how we did the move, hold the snorts of laughter until the end!

Firstly, we waited until dust, but I was still worried Sal would leap off the nest in an effort to get back to the original box. I pondered how to make her think that this was her nest, so I grabbed ALicia's wheat pack, warmed it in the microwave, stuck it in a plastic bag and put it in the spot we wanted her to move to. (I know...who pre-warms a chickens bed right?)

So, the kids wanted to help, so it was a family affair full of "one at a time boy's" and "Slow down" with a few "calm down lads" thrown in for good measure. My boys are easily excited for 5 and 7 so the reigns had to be pulled in pretty tight with them, they were rather excited.

Alicia, went into the coop where the rest of the girls were settling in for the evening and she scooped up big fluffy Sal. As soon as the nest was vacant, two little hands gently collected the eggs and put them into an egg carton I was holding, all the while issuing more commands like "take it easy, we need to go slow"

Gently we al moved up to the box under the patio, a long trip of about 50m. I carefully stacked the eggs in the hollow where moments before a wheat pack had sat. Alicia went to place Sal in and she did not seem happy, she squawked and looked like she was about to flee. As soon as she sensed the warmth, or the eggs or both she calmed down and settled on them. Has not moved since!

She has her own stash of food and water and the meanie Rocks can't get to her. She should be in for an easy ride as far as incubating goes.

By this time it was too dark to get a new pick. Tomorrow I will get one. She will get plenty of checks being near the house. It will be good to make sure there is no further ant issues too.

The show goes on!

Ben, I must admit I did giggle but then I thought wow what a great chicken dad

 

[K Spot]

Ahhh Ben, I never get tired of the stories you tell of your chickens - you are one devoted chicken-dad

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hahahaha.

I felt so stupid, but it worked. I had this mental picture of her thinking "nop nop nope...what are you doing? Haaaaaang on a second, ok I will stay"

All was well with her this morning. Just have to make sure she goes back to the same spot once she get up for her morning rituals an then I can relax a bit more.

Felix, the box rests on timber blocks so the water trap won't work, plus the ants had nested in a crack in the lid. We have not seen any live ants for two days now but we still keep an eye out. 15 seconds...surely if you leap the gap you get the ride for free?

 

[K Spot]

Hey, like you said - it worked!!

We all do whatever we can to make it work

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hahahaha.

I felt so stupid, but it worked. I had this mental picture of her thinking "nop nop nope...what are you doing? Haaaaaang on a second, ok I will stay"

All was well with her this morning. Just have to make sure she goes back to the same spot once she get up for her morning rituals an then I can relax a bit more.

Felix, the box rests on timber blocks so the water trap won't work, plus the ants had nested in a crack in the lid. We have not seen any live ants for two days now but we still keep an eye out. 15 seconds...surely if you leap the gap you get the ride for free?

Hey Ben if you push the straw down her end and put news paper in the other half it ll save you a lot of work. They are generally in such a rush to eat that they poop and eat at the same time. And it STINKS.