Peeps in Europe!

[abpatchy]

They're doing great! They were outside in the run yesterday, checking out their new digs, while the big chickens were out in the garden and I shut the gate, so they could go in and out as they liked. It's fun having three different age groups in the flock. They still really like the spa under the heat lamp though...lol
The panic hole I made in the hardware cloth wasn't small enough for top hen though, she managed to squeeze through and steal their feed, just teach them, who's boss.

Otherwise it's been peaceful in chicken land.

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They are cute!!! Unbelievable how big they are aready!!! Can you tell how many roosters or hens you got?

 

[Erba]

Can you tell how many roosters or hens you got?

Not really, I keep guessing then change my mind. No signs at this age yet, five week old little beasties. I just keep thinking most are roosters, so I'll be really happy if more are hens than I thought. If I were to bet at the moment, which I don't really like, it would be two hens to three roosters, let's see if I'm right.

 

[abpatchy]

@Erba When are you going to the poultry show in Freiburg? Are you still going? If yes, Saturday or Sunday?
My mother is actually wanting to go. I thought she wouldn't want to. It is a three hour drive. So if weather and car is holding up I'll be heading down there. I was thinking Saturday but I'll have to discuss this with her. If you care to meet, let me know.

 

[Erba]

@Erba When are you going to the poultry show in Freiburg? Are you still going? If yes, Saturday or Sunday?

I will be there on both days Saturday 30.11. 8:00-17:00 alone. and on Sunday 01.12. 8:00-13: 30 with my daughter and her boyfriend. They are both into chickens, now I've got them. It would be great to meet you there! My mobile number is 160 3494562 if you decide to come, send me a text or a message and we can meet up there.

 

[Erba]

Those darn Hawks! Yesterday one of them took another chicken, my home grown cockerel this time. Enough is enough, total of four now. Sadly that means my chickens will no longer be able to free range alone from now on.

Message to pillaging hawks: No more food for you...ever again

 

[abpatchy]

Hi Erba, Hi everybody
oh I am sooo sorry!!!! Sadly, I agree with you, they have to be protected and that is the only way. I am so glad, that my run is fully covered. And I still worry that a fox or ferret gets in.

On the brighter side... I just returned home from Austria with a new rooster and 3 hens. I learned a lot. There was a discussion session with all the animals that were in the show. So now I know a whole lot more about what a Sulmtaler is supposed to look like.

On the way home one of the new ladies even layed an egg!!! Good girl!!!! You guys should have seen my rooster when he realized there is a new guy moving in! Good thing they won't share a run! Talk about stutting!! All roosters of the club were crowing. It was funny!

 

[abpatchy]

Thought I'd share some pictures of today. In the back the "old" rooster... in the front the new rooster who came home with me last weekend from a show in Austria.

 

[abpatchy]

OMG!!!
I just got the immunization dates for the future chicks. I'll be setting my first eggs on January 27th... immunization date is Feb. 18th.... now I am excited!!! My first chicks!!!
just had to share!

 

[Erba]

Thats great! How many eggs are you planning to set? Now you've got that state of the art incubator, I bet you're just so excited to finally start incubating in it. Is this your first time incubating?

 

[abpatchy]

I don't know yet... My incubator holds up to 108 eggs.
I have to see how many eggs my ladies produce. The guy from the specialty club said 120 of each breeding group. That statement made me laugh out loud, but he was serious. But I don't have that much space!! They will grow and get bigger and I need room for that. At the moment I am thinking of maybe 60 or 80 all together, not per group. This will be over the course of spring... there are 5 dates for immunization all the way thru April. So, I will be busy. This is all so exciting!!!!

Yes, this will be my first time hatching chicks... first time everything really since I got my first chickens ever in July.