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

[Wrightsx4]

thanks! Those cedar logs had been looking for a good project I know cedar chips are bad if ingested by chicks but I can't really see chickens gnawing on logs that big. Doubt beavers are a threat -haha - Nova if I had your yard right now maybe. That's awful! I hope it's going down after the sun we had today.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Not funny - sorry! I'd be freaking out if I had that much water. We flooded a couple years ago pretty bad, lost almost everything in our basement and had major repairs to do. We live surrounded by swamp, ponds, county drainage ditch...we've been lucky so far this year with all the rain.

 

[NovaAman]

Oh yeah. Its down. A few mud cake spot yet outside. A bit squishy inside, but I took the winter wrap off so there is good air flow to help dry it up. I hope tomorrows rain is minimal...

 

[Bens-Hens]

Glad to hear Nova, was looking pretty marshy there!

Pam, that is a great job, very professional finish. If I was starting from scratch (and knowing what we now know) that is the style I would probably go for. In my eye's, that's a 'classic barnyard' style. Hope the growers love it.

Speaking of names, we had some funny ones, but this last hatch we are trying to hold off for names until they develop more individual characteristics. As they show they get named I guess.

Our newly moved birds are doing well. They have been in there two night, and like a big softy I have gone down after dusk and moved them from their huddling position on the ground up to a nice new roost in the coop. Both nights they have stayed there. Hopefully they soon get the idea. They are staying there all night once plonked down...to fresh white play sand shows clear evidence!

I might add, the use of a kitty litter shovel is working really well for daily scoop outs!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Not a heap to report, but didn't want to dissapear!

The kids playground sand ($7.50 per 20kg) is working a treat. Once the chickens are on the roost (still putting them on at the moment) they stay put, and their droppings are all 'nice' and sorted for lack of better words!

The kitty litter scoop that came with out enclosed kitty litter box, that we use as a transporter is also a fine tool for the daily clean ups.




The larger birds seem far more relaxed with room to move. Some walk up and enjoy a crop rub and a couple don't mind hanging out a bit closer. Not sure who was happier in this shot.


Other than that, all is going well.

In a couple of short hours it's ANZAC Day here, kind of a big deal for many Aussies and Kiwi's, especially myself.

Lest we forget.

 

[NovaAman]

What is ANZAC day?

ETA: Ok... I looked it up. Kinda like USA's Memorial/Veterans day.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Yeah something like that. It stems from when the Australian's and New Zealand Army Corp's stormed the beaches at Gallopoli. It's a public holiday that allows the nation to pay respect to those that sacrificed for our country. Always kicks off with a service at dawn, then a parade/s and then everyone buys the old boys a beer and have a chat.

Today was great, early but always good to see our service people get recognition.

 

[ozexpat]

I read you were in Afghanistan - thanks mate.

LEST WE FORGET

One of my proudest moments as a kid was marching in front of the diggers in Narrabeen as a boy scout - and being selected to carry the Aussie flag.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Yes mate, I was in the Army for 9 years, was in Afghanistan 05-06, the very first rotation. First time I got to play in snow lol....and didn't see ANY chickens!

Thanks for the thought, I didn't go through what the old boy's did, those lads had it tough.

As for chickens, our first hatch has now graduated to grower crumbles......they grow so fast. Soon they will be asking for the car key's and staying out all night!

Not sure if it's the cooler nights or just a matter of course, but Milo has decided to finish growing his feathers! I will post some more pictures another day of the chicks, they will be 3 weeks old this weekend.

 

[Wrightsx4]

You were our allies, so thank you. I'm sure Afghanistan was no picnic during that time!

Haha - car keys Our last batches of chicks are three weeks old this weekend. Mine are quickly outgrowing their brooder. It's still too cold here to put them into their new coop, so I need to find them a MUCH bigger box and move them to the basement. The dust they produce is horrendous! Cute chicks - nasty dust. I bet your office is looking the same?