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

[Bens-Hens]

Sorry I have been quiet the past couple of days. I had another 50k race to run over the weekend and that kind of zapped me lol

We had a friend come over each day and change the chickens water and throw them some scratch. I have to say when we got home today they were pretty excited to get out onto the lawn!

Other than some big craters in the run, all was well. I need to get some new pics, especially of our cross breed bird, pretty certain it's a he as he has a fair amount of colour coming in now that I swear was not there 2 days ago.

 

[scottcaddy]

I notice that you are saying 'He' with a high confidence level.

How was the run?
Scott

 

[Bens-Hens]

We were pretty confident for some time it was a he, but the lack of colour gave us a bit of doubt recently. Still has not crowed but as Fancy says, a lack of tail at this age is a pretty good indicator too.

The race was pretty good, it was a 12.5km lap course (so I had to do 4 laps for the 50k, the 100k did 8) I got as high as 4th but slowed right down in the last lap and finished 6th. Ran 50k (just over 31 miles) in 4 hours 10 minutes, average pace of 4:58 minutes per km (about 8 minutes per mile) My second time racing that distance and I beat my best by 34 minutes, so overall I was pretty happy.



Here is a pic of me loosing a place with just over 3 km to go (almost 2 miles)...Yes the bearded man in a tutu wearing the Australian flag as a cape passed me...twice! Lets not talk about that bit hahahaha

 

[scottcaddy]

Wellll, ya know what it takes to wear a pink tutu and a beard in a race. Did you pat his checkies when he passed you?

Or at least say HI?

Scott

 

[Bens-Hens]

Ha! I was hurting, he passed with ease. We did briefly chat, he was even encouraging me to keep the hammer down. I got him back at a drink station but he passed me again. you know what's worse than being passed by an older guy in fancy dress? being passed TWICE by the same guy in fancy dress hahahaha He is a good bloke and deserved to beat me, he worked hard for about 47k's to catch me.

 

[Bens-Hens]

2 weeks passed already....I am getting really bad at this update thing!

All is ok, no feathered losses in months (since the possible pecking death of our Maran)

Our chick is now a tall standing flock member, very much looks like a male, 16 weeks tomorrow and yet to crow (touch wood)

We have a had a couple of broodies come and go and demand for more eggs is ever increasing. Alicia even suggested another hatch of Marans! I think we will wait a little longer before we go that far.

Other than that, family, work (which is struggling in itself) and training...I spend a lot of time filling in holes in my lawn hahahaha

Hope you are all doing well too.

 

[vehve]

All is well here. Nice to hear everything is going fine. Out of our four chicks, I'm now leaning towards calling two of them pullets. We will see. They're 7½ weeks old now.

We are experiencing a slight heat wave today. The sun is shining, and temps are supposed to climb to +5C.

How's the running going, any big races coming up?

 

[cwrite]

Good to hear all is well Ben. We are also spend a great deal of time filling in holes, trying to get the grass to regrow, fencing small areas (the patio is next), putting our stones back onto the raised beds... My chicks have been able to get through the pool fence which has opened a whole new can of worms.

My big girls never got stuck into digging around there as they were too big when I started free-ranging them. Luckily the chicks are getting bigger and I think we are nearing the end of that. I think of it as their other small contribution to my health by yard work exercise that is never ending.

Enjoy your hear wave Vehve. : )

 

[Bens-Hens]

All is well here. Nice to hear everything is going fine. Out of our four chicks, I'm now leaning towards calling two of them pullets. We will see. They're 7½ weeks old now.

We are experiencing a slight heat wave today. The sun is shining, and temps are supposed to climb to +5C.

How's the running going, any big races coming up?

Good to hear there are a couple of pullets in the mix.

As for big races, I have a night 50k at the end of Feb, then my next aim is a 100km race on April 25. If I go well with that then my first 100 mile race is on the cards in September. See how the body pulls up after the 100k though.

Good to hear all is well Ben. We are also spend a great deal of time filling in holes, trying to get the grass to regrow, fencing small areas (the patio is next), putting our stones back onto the raised beds... My chicks have been able to get through the pool fence which has opened a whole new can of worms.

My big girls never got stuck into digging around there as they were too big when I started free-ranging them. Luckily the chicks are getting bigger and I think we are nearing the end of that. I think of it as their other small contribution to my health by yard work exercise that is never ending.

Enjoy your hear wave Vehve. : )

I have taken to back filling the hole with straw and droppings, then laying a square of mesh over the hole. The mesh is about 75mm x 75mm (I have a few different sized pieces with different sized holes) I just lay it over the hole. They can still eat any grass that grows up through it, but can't dig. Ever now and then I lift the mesh so the grass does not hold it down.

Seems to work well without having to build fences in the lawn area, just need to make sure the kids are aware if they are running around like wildlings!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Nice to hear from you Ben. We've had a few hectic weeks getting our girl to Perth. Seems to be a fair few CUB's ( cashed up bogans ) renting out share rooms.
The one that we had organized was a complete flop. Air conditioning, yeah , still in the box. Lock on door, what's the point when it's off its hinges. Jurassic sized cockroaches oh and he forgot to mention that it was a building site. Alls well now , they moved in with a lovely lady and bought a car. She starts uni today.
Hubby was all set to fly over but due to circumstances beyond his control it just wasn't happening .
I was just doing a head count and I have 4 Roos and 2 pullets from my last lot.

http://www.themercury.com.au/entert...l-hobart-regatta/story-fnpx40bi-1227211700701