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

[ozexpat]

I bet it's great. Would love to come and visit with the family some day. With a gold bag in tow [if you know what I mean lol] Actually, knowing the punishments for smuggling products into Oz I wouldn't try that on!

I have been to the US before, but it was a work trip, and only just over a week. Saw some stuff, bit of touristy things, but it's a big place with lots to see. Met some real nice people that loved my accent hahahaha

Small place this planet we live on.

i have no idea what you mean with the first sentence

.

US is a big place. A great place to drive across and see the changes. I have been to Michigan once - to bury an uncle of my wife but it was in the fall and sectacular.

I had a house I renovated in Pennsylvania. I have driven from LA to the eastern seaboard on 4 occasions. Three times via Denver then up to the 80/90 and once along the 40/20 to Baltimore. Did route 66 on the way home. I have been to all but 9 states - 8 lower and Alaska.

I have been to every state in Oz except Tassie. I have yet to drive across the country though. Its on my must do list. I would love to take 6 weeks and drive around the country. A friend of mine did it in 3 weeks but I want to stop here and there to rest my butt and take in the sights.

I have done a few epic road trips - London to Sicily, Torino Italy to Valencia in Spain, Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico City to Cancun and Jo'burg SA to Maputo in Mozambique.



I have

 

[Bens-Hens]

Gold bag lol, typo much?! You know what I mean. The effort ot get them back above board is immense and the other way is very risky. I guess I will stick with local stuff for now.

I have driven coast to coast here 9 times, 8 the 'up' way and 7 the 'low' way. Much nicer in the later years with cruise control and air con.

Since I am here, a few pictures.

12 and 17 Weeks.

Luna and Rosie. Form the back Rosie looks wide and fluffy, but quite lean from the front.


We finally names this one. Lavern lol Only shot I could get of her head. Pretty much clean all over, but she has slate legs.


Lavern again. In the back ground is Smudge, our other roo. He has grey smeared through his comb.


This is Jewel, the second smallest from hatch, yellow legs and as I learned yesterday quite 'brassy' the hopes for splash are out the window.


Also names the two roo's This one is Steal. (Steel in colour) and he likes to steal things, like food and the occasional feather. He is on the watch list for nastyness.


Amy Wyandotte, pencil's are just great. I am looking forward to seeing these two girls full size. Very glad we went with them.


Curly the BV, she is getting there in size, but has not really filled out yet. Feathering is more and more striking as she gets older.


I am not sure if this is Cleo or Sunny, I can't tell them apart any more. It amazes me how white the white is, considering they lay in black dirt most of the day. Someone should find how they do it and sell it in human clothes! Both those girls are filling out and looking very hen-ish. Just need the red colour and eggs!


Time to put the boy's to bed! Have a good day.

 

[EmSteele]

I usually just stalk this thread, although I've commented a time or 2. I live in southern Indiana...I had a girl on Instagram bash me over a chicken eating comment....she ended up a slightly confused (and her mouth shut thankfully) when I CALMLY told her my reasoning for raising and eating my own chicken...man, did it taste good! I don't get attached to roos for that reason. Have had a lot of fun watching this thread progress..gonna retreat back to my corner now

 

[NovaAman]

Blue Berry, a blue marans hen laid her first egg since coming to live here before the flood... I found it in the phoenix coop. I just about giggle my self to wet pants after finding it...


This is Blue Berry's egg next to a regular sized egg...

BUT! Wait! It gets better... I wanted to see if there was anything in this tiny little prank of an egg...


Yup. Complete with a yolk... AND there was a little meat spot on the yolk. LOL.

I found this before the neighbors kid ticked me off big time.

I was sitting at my kitchen table, looking out at my birds, and I see them all run for the neighbors house. The neighbors throw crack out for them and their birds. Then I see Andrew, the 20-21 yr old kid, kick my rooster Strutter. Not because Strutter had spurred him, but because Strutter was trying to mount one of their POL birds. Now... Strutter has been courting these POL birds for a few, and they all come over to him the minute the neighbors let them out of their little coop and run. SO... Strutter was just doing what roosters do, and the pullet was just doing what pullets do. Objecting. But not only did Andrew kick him off the pullet, he proceeded to chase him out of the yard and kicked him again in his backside. I yelled out the door, Carl said, "He was pestering the girls." I said, "Fine, chase him off but don't kick him, I don't' want him getting mean." He said, "He didn't kick him," Bull pucky. I saw him. With my own eyes.

What ticks me off is this... Since that brat jerk came home from college for the summer he's been a real glass mole. He used to be very into the chickens. Since he was forced to come home for the summer and get a job to help pay for his next years expenses or live on the street in Cali, he's been aggressive, does his chores angrily and just is an all out donkey. Even his parents have gotten on him about how he has handled some of the birds when they were moving them from one coop to another.

What ticks me off more, is that Strutter is a very laid back, gentle roo. He's the type we all WANT. There is no room for a mean roo. Think being kicked a few time won't have an effect? Maybe not this time, but hey... I have kids who feed this roo out of their hands. He's not aggressive to people. RBahmer wouldn't have given me an aggressive bird. She knows I have little kids. Anyway, can you imagine if he got mad and spurred that butt hat over this? I'd have to consider culling him just because he's defending himself. I'd be so mad. He's the loveliest bird. He's a good 12-15 pounds. Has the biggest head!

I'd like to kick that kid in the pants. Maybe this is the reason their roosters always end up being aggressive.... Kick em a few times for doing what roosters do...

 

[Bens-Hens]

I usually just stalk this thread, although I've commented a time or 2. I live in southern Indiana...I had a girl on Instagram bash me over a chicken eating comment....she ended up a slightly confused (and her mouth shut thankfully) when I CALMLY told her my reasoning for raising and eating my own chicken...man, did it taste good! I don't get attached to roos for that reason. Have had a lot of fun watching this thread progress..gonna retreat back to my corner now

Thanks Em, valid points for sure. We don't want to eat our 'pets' as a friend calls them, but we can't just keep having roosters. We are not yet in a position to give them away or sell them as we are not certain that we are clear of the Marek's Disease woods just yet, so we don't want to risk spreading it if we are not. Don't want to waste them......why not take advantage or home grown produce, almost insulting not too.

Drop in any time

I found it in the phoenix coop. I just about giggle my self to wet pants after finding it...


This is Blue Berry's egg next to a regular sized egg...


Then I see Andrew, kick my rooster Strutter. He's been a real glass mole.......just is an all out donkey. Kick em a few times for doing what roosters do.

Hahahaha, that fart egg should be in the weird egg thread! It's about what I am eggspecting some time soon (If they ever get around to providing!)

I don't like this Andrew, I had a laugh at 'glass mole' I nearly missed it! This donkey could use a boot to the right path, or a vengeful rooster in his bed.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Got a few minutes this afternoon to rat through the scrap bin and found some more stainless sheet. I bent up three little deflector shields.

Got home and removed the two outer vents, screwed and sealed these. Also removed the roof rotary vent. Being for vehicles it was too heavy to turn in a light breeze. I made a slopped deflector to cover that hole too, sealed it down.

The two outside vents I took off were moved inside to the roof. Will see in the morning if those changes knock a few crow-i-bells off. It's not very loud as it is, but it was a free modification so I got it done while I had the chance.

Each of the deflectors is open towards the ground or rear.


The old vents are matte black, the new ones are still silver. I didn't want to paint so close to bed time before the boys had to get in there.


Nova, I found you and added you on FB. I also found Wrightx4, but I will ask permission before I send a request. Both of you were quite easy to find. I won't be offended if you reject or delete lol.

Happy days!

 

[Wrightsx4]

Lol. Definitely send the friend request. To be quite honest though I check Facebook once a month...maybe.

 

[Bens-Hens]

and it's away! lol Just thought I would ask first. At least you can see a bit about me and the family.

 

[Wrightsx4]

I will go check right now
Also on the agenda this morning is to get at least one good pic of one of the faverolles - looking happy!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Hang on...I think I got the wrong one hahahaha OOPS! I will flick to PM