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

[Wrightsx4]

Cute babies!!!
Ben- I haven't put mine out at night yet either. It's Spring here and it's still getting into the 40's and even 30's (F) at night. They have been spending much of the afternoons out in their big coop though. The big chickens (parents to 9 of them) can see them through the fence but can't get to them. Pretty cute overall as they are so curious watching each other. I know the big ones would eat them if given the chance though, especially Rooster Jeffrey, so it will be a long time before they get acquainted any closer. By the way, Rooster Jeffrey is named that way because we also have Husband Jeffrey. Haha - kids named a chicken after Dad.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Our's are getting there with the feathers. I think because we have a few boys in there they have dragged our average down with slower feathering.

I have not had any news really, I have been kept away with work recently. But looking forward to Mothers Day photo's. I will say, the funny little creatures seem to have worked out when the heat is going to come on, just before 10pm they seem to gather under it and wait for it to get warm! If I am in another room, I can tell the time by how much nosier it gets as they jostle for a prime spot. At 9:30, they tend to be quiet, moving around packing and scratching. I should probably move the on time out a bit more I guess.

I wanted them out next week but the rate these boys are growing feathers, and winter coming on I think they may have to stay in a bit longer than last time......( Another week of bedding, and dust! I don't mind the pecking and chirping though.

Also, think we may be coming into the early phases of telling which Araucana's are roosters by their combs. Pics on Sunday!

 

[Bens-Hens]

I have to appologise for anyone one that was keen for some update images this week.

Had a great day celebrating Mother's day with my wife and kids, plus went to visit family. Time got away and I did not get any fresh images, I did snap two earlier this week on my phone.

Confident we have at least one male Araucana, the others have darker combs, some are pink but very small, one is kind of bigger but very dark, almost grey....then there is this one!




The two SPW (Amy and Ryder) are nearly feathered, and look really nice.



The two BV's are also getting there with the feathers (one slower than the other), almost black neck and heads on them now!

More images later in the week of them.

As for the older birds in the main coop, doing really well. The larger milk bottle sift/scoop has sped up morning clean up of the sand base. Lucky's beak look great with no sign of further splitting, and they all seem to have had a growth spurt! Lucky is getting HUGE! No fighting or issues among them with the exception of Luna wanting attention if someone else is getting it hahahaha. 10 weeks today, could have our first egg within two months!!!!

Soon we will be having some sort of bet on a date and who lol.

See ya soon!

 

[NovaAman]

July 3... that's my bet... only because it's my birthday. LOL

I am going to be setting more eggs this week! The man I got these phoenix from, he is sending polish, red shouldered yokos and then a bunch of fillers. LOL

All the chicks are growing! I am waiting for them to get a bit bigger before they go in the brooder. They can slip through the chickenwire sides no problem. I had to put newspaper around the bottom of the rabbit cage cuz they were able to just squeeze through!

Are you sure those are araucana? He really looks like a lavendar australorp... I am not an expert... just saying.

ALSO... too cute

 

[Bens-Hens]

Early July would be great! Knowing our egg luck it would be November, just to keep the tradition hahahaha

The Lav's were sold as 'purebred Lavender Auracana' I know at least one of the parents was muffed. Saying that, I also have read there is some contention to calling them Auracana in the states as the Australian 'version' has had the rump less gene bred out to increase survivability. I read a fair amount about them in my quest for blue eggs, and this dominant gene issue of two muffed birds breeding can kill the chick, or two rump less birds breeding can kill the chick seems to have been reduced here.

We still get muffs, but I believe all ours will have tails, which is why international folk raise an eye brow and scream EE.

Def not A Blue Australorp, I have been trying to get my hands on some of those.

 

[NovaAman]

Ah, ok. I went and binged the LA's and WOW on the pics. Sure is different to what the APA standard is. They are very pretty though, must say that, and some of them do look an awful lot like an Australorp.

 

[Wrightsx4]

Speaking of australorps, I have a broody one I'm thinking of finding some faverolle eggs for her... Nova? Lol. Salomon (Baby's baby) will need some cute salmon faverolle girls so someday I'll at least have a fav pullet related to Baby. Yup, he's definitely a HE. Mostly black now with some white coming in and deep Burgundy (not red/orange like an ee) on his wings. S-l-o-w to feather in though, looks really funny. I haven't found any pics to compare how much he does or doesn't resemble a faverolle male at 5wks but he really doesn't look like my easter eggers at all.
How is your Baby doing Ben? Last I knew you thought Baby was a pullet - still? Anxious to see the next round of photos!

 

[NovaAman]

I hear chirping. The chirping is getting louder. Louder, why does it sound like it is in my bedroom louder... What is going on in the garage, no, that's not the garage babies.... That's in my room!! I jump up, turn on the light, and there is a phoenix in my bedroom, a cat following it. AND IT'S THE CAT WITH CLAWS! The cat, LIttle girl, however knows what chicks are, and she knows that usually there is a momma bird around that'll attack her. She's been attacked several times by one momma or another. So, I get the phoenix, bring him back upstairs, he was getting cold, and set him back in with his brood mates. LOL. Poor thing. Looks like one of the cats needed entertaining, and pulled the paper down off of the sides, and the phoenix got through. LOL. Anyway... Just funny how it made it to my room, downstairs! From the Kitchen!

Pam... I do not have any pure eggs at the moment. I hatched out what I wanted under the broodies, and then when Florus had his neck injury, I let his girls run around while he was locked up. It'd take a month before I have any... Right now, you'd get possible pures, but more than likely crosses of Fritz the Jerk (serema frizzle) Rod Stewart (silkie/fav) and Florus...

 

[Wrightsx4]

Oh my - what a restful night you had! Darn - forgot about Florus's neck. Not that I would mind a cross, but since my goal is to get a pullet most similar to Baby lookswise then I should get as much SF genetics as I can in order to dilute out the EE. I sent a message to FancyFavie (a byc'er also from Michigan) and I'm considering bidding on SF eggs she has on ebay. She's not within my driving area though (I won't go more than two hours each way - just not cost effective!) So...that would be mailed eggs again. Not excited about that. Although coming from just across state maybe they'd do better.
What do all of you use or plan to use in your nest boxes?

 

[Wrightsx4]

Oops. Hit reply accidently - darn phone. Anyway, I ran out of the free hay I had been using. Didn't like it anyway because it gets nasty when it gets damp and gets mixed in with the floor bedding. Trying pine shavings but the girls hate it and push it onto the floor. I use pine on the floor so I guess they want something different in their boxes. Thinking I should get straw - I noticed straw in your pic with the cat Nova. I read that straw can harbor mites but since I've had no issues with mites so far...