Pipd's Peeps!

[Crazy Maizie]

First - love, love, love your photos even "bad" ones. I didn't see any bad ones though.

I decided to stick with Ivy for my silkie mix. It's what popped in my mind when I first saw her. But, also, she is always up in the rafters with the oegbs. I watched Rebel coax her to lay an egg in the rafter overhang this morning. Not really sure what it's really called though. So I got a ladder out and sure enough there were 6 eggs up there. I don't think all of them are hers as one was kind of a light pink color. Not really sure who it belongs to because I know Lemon can't get her Roly poly butt up there.
Rebel also was coaxing Mango on a different side this afternoon, but I haven't checked yet due to over exerting myself today.

Oh and I started integrating them 2 weeks ago. It has gone very well - even with me gone this weekend. Except for the scuffle between the two roosters. I know it could be related, but they started their ornery behavior before the new ones came into view.

So, the reason for my exhaustion. This morning I found a rat hole going under my run. At first I wasn't sure that was what it was, but also was pretty sure it wasn't a rabbit hole. I checked my cameras and sure enough there was a rat in the run.
I almost had an anxiety attack. I've always said if I had a rat issue, I would be done with chickens.
The good thing is that I cap feeders every night. So, it wasn't able to access the feed. But, it hung out for awhile running around the duck side of the run.
Now due to having ducks, I have water out all of the time and I read to put it away. I really don't know what I'm going to do the way their area is set up. But, I guess I can take away their swim water and then add it back in a few weeks. I can move their waterers, but it is going to be a major issue every night.
The area where it came under is the one area that I don't have hardware cloth attached at the bottom. I have it attached to about 3/4 of the run, but haven't finished. I've had the run like this for over 4 years, so no excuses. Coincidently, I had just ordered some just a few days ago, but it won't be here until Saturday. The funny thing is is that this is the most secure it's ever been.
I am locking all feed away until the rat leaves.
I don't know what else to do.

The other issue is that the oegbs roost so high up in the rafters, it's almost impossible to reach them even with a ladder. I can grab Ivy and put her in a coop, but it will be extra work to get the oegbs. Rebel and Ginger are trained to go to the coop once I come in, but now Rebel is even staying up in the rafters. My plan was that I would let them roost there until fall. But, now I know my run is not secure enough. If a rat can get in, so can a weasel if one ever decided to make it's way here. All the other birds are secure in a coop, so at least there is that.

Again, sorry for this long post. It's just so overwhelming with trying to do the best for my birds and now this.

 

[NagemTX]

First - love, love, love your photos even "bad" ones. I didn't see any bad ones though.

I decided to stick with Ivy for my silkie mix. It's what popped in my mind when I first saw her. But, also, she is always up in the rafters with the oegbs. I watched Rebel coax her to lay an egg in the rafter overhang this morning. Not really sure what it's really called though. So I got a ladder out and sure enough there were 6 eggs up there. I don't think all of them are hers as one was kind of a light pink color. Not really sure who it belongs to because I know Lemon can't get her Roly poly butt up there.
Rebel also was coaxing Mango on a different side this afternoon, but I haven't checked yet due to over exerting myself today.

Oh and I started integrating them 2 weeks ago. It has gone very well - even with me gone this weekend. Except for the scuffle between the two roosters. I know it could be related, but they started their ornery behavior before the new ones came into view.

So, the reason for my exhaustion. This morning I found a rat hole going under my run. At first I wasn't sure that was what it was, but also was pretty sure it wasn't a rabbit hole. I checked my cameras and sure enough there was a rat in the run.
I almost had an anxiety attack. I've always said if I had a rat issue, I would be done with chickens.
The good thing is that I cap feeders every night. So, it wasn't able to access the feed. But, it hung out for awhile running around the duck side of the run.
Now due to having ducks, I have water out all of the time and I read to put it away. I really don't know what I'm going to do the way their area is set up. But, I guess I can take away their swim water and then add it back in a few weeks. I can move their waterers, but it is going to be a major issue every night.
The area where it came under is the one area that I don't have hardware cloth attached at the bottom. I have it attached to about 3/4 of the run, but haven't finished. I've had the run like this for over 4 years, so no excuses. Coincidently, I had just ordered some just a few days ago, but it won't be here until Saturday. The funny thing is is that this is the most secure it's ever been.
I am locking all feed away until the rat leaves.
I don't know what else to do.

The other issue is that the oegbs roost so high up in the rafters, it's almost impossible to reach them even with a ladder. I can grab Ivy and put her in a coop, but it will be extra work to get the oegbs. Rebel and Ginger are trained to go to the coop once I come in, but now Rebel is even staying up in the rafters. My plan was that I would let them roost there until fall. But, now I know my run is not secure enough. If a rat can get in, so can a weasel if one ever decided to make it's way here. All the other birds are secure in a coop, so at least there is that.

Again, sorry for this long post. It's just so overwhelming with trying to do the best for my birds and now this.

It's very overwhelming. My coon issue stemed from me not taking action when I should have. I should have had all my pens hardware clothed from the beginning and everyone trained to go in when I needed them to go in and not allowed the roosting in the trees. I was upset most at myself because I became complacent that the coons wouldn't get them because they really weren't trying for the last 3 years. Now we have an abundance of them and they are hungry.

I'm going to be sleepless tonight because all most all the grow outs have been moved to the new pen. I have the door tied shut, tarp is on, food and water is out and it's got hardware clothe over it. Still going to worry tho.

Soon as the second pen is done and attached to the one we just finished all the other babies will join them out side.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It's very overwhelming. My coon issue stemed from me not taking action when I should have. I should have had all my pens hardware clothed from the beginning and everyone trained to go in when I needed them to go in and not allowed the roosting in the trees. I was upset most at myself because I became complacent that the coons wouldn't get them because they really weren't trying for the last 3 years. Now we have an abundance of them and they are hungry.

I'm going to be sleepless tonight because all most all the grow outs have been moved to the new pen. I have the door tied shut, tarp is on, food and water is out and it's got hardware clothe over it. Still going to worry tho.

Soon as the second pen is done and attached to the one we just finished all the other babies will join them out side.

It just seems like there is always something to do or to worry about.
I didn't make the oegbs go in, but I guess I should get them trained sooner rather than later.
The good news - Ginger came down to see me and have me tuck her into the coop. She likes a little head rub and really enjoyed a good 5 min of holding while I was waiting for the chickens to coop up. I don't always go out so early, but I wanted to make sure the rat didn't show up and try to get in their coops.

Sorry to hear about your raccoon problem. Dang it why does everything like chicken?
Maybe a good electric wire would deter them? At least I have that, but I only put up 1 strand around the perimeter. I guess it's time to do a 2nd for extra security like everyone always recommends just in case. Too bad that rat dug under the strand. For some reason, I would be joyous if it got zapped.

 

[BlueO]

How is Crashie doing? Sorry if anything went wrong I didn’t have time to read all the hundreds of pages.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

I'm glad your Mr Bitey Butt had cooked a bit. Mine has decided boots are for rapid pecking, right down my the floor, not high up. He just hammers away then he's all good to pet.

I have a white EE hen with a couple black flecks, what's the chances she's DW? I could make some funky paints

Maybe I'll cross my chocolate frizzle silkie over an EE and see if I can get a chocolate satin EE.

Who knows what goes on in their little heads sometimes

White with a couple black flecks does sound like heterozygous dominant white! Sounds like you have a few options for some really neat EE mixes over there

You got a lighter blue!?! That's great!

I did!! His chick down was super light at hatch, too, so I figured he would be a lighter color Now hopefully he has halfways decent type so he can go back into the breeding program.

This was the best picture I could get to show his color. He's gonna be so pretty!

He was not pleased with me. Even this shot darkened his color up so much!

First - love, love, love your photos even "bad" ones. I didn't see any bad ones though.

I decided to stick with Ivy for my silkie mix. It's what popped in my mind when I first saw her. But, also, she is always up in the rafters with the oegbs. I watched Rebel coax her to lay an egg in the rafter overhang this morning. Not really sure what it's really called though. So I got a ladder out and sure enough there were 6 eggs up there. I don't think all of them are hers as one was kind of a light pink color. Not really sure who it belongs to because I know Lemon can't get her Roly poly butt up there.
Rebel also was coaxing Mango on a different side this afternoon, but I haven't checked yet due to over exerting myself today.

Oh and I started integrating them 2 weeks ago. It has gone very well - even with me gone this weekend. Except for the scuffle between the two roosters. I know it could be related, but they started their ornery behavior before the new ones came into view.

So, the reason for my exhaustion. This morning I found a rat hole going under my run. At first I wasn't sure that was what it was, but also was pretty sure it wasn't a rabbit hole. I checked my cameras and sure enough there was a rat in the run.
I almost had an anxiety attack. I've always said if I had a rat issue, I would be done with chickens.
The good thing is that I cap feeders every night. So, it wasn't able to access the feed. But, it hung out for awhile running around the duck side of the run.
Now due to having ducks, I have water out all of the time and I read to put it away. I really don't know what I'm going to do the way their area is set up. But, I guess I can take away their swim water and then add it back in a few weeks. I can move their waterers, but it is going to be a major issue every night.
The area where it came under is the one area that I don't have hardware cloth attached at the bottom. I have it attached to about 3/4 of the run, but haven't finished. I've had the run like this for over 4 years, so no excuses. Coincidently, I had just ordered some just a few days ago, but it won't be here until Saturday. The funny thing is is that this is the most secure it's ever been.
I am locking all feed away until the rat leaves.
I don't know what else to do.

The other issue is that the oegbs roost so high up in the rafters, it's almost impossible to reach them even with a ladder. I can grab Ivy and put her in a coop, but it will be extra work to get the oegbs. Rebel and Ginger are trained to go to the coop once I come in, but now Rebel is even staying up in the rafters. My plan was that I would let them roost there until fall. But, now I know my run is not secure enough. If a rat can get in, so can a weasel if one ever decided to make it's way here. All the other birds are secure in a coop, so at least there is that.

Again, sorry for this long post. It's just so overwhelming with trying to do the best for my birds and now this.

Ugh, rats!! Definitely keep the feed up out of reach at night, chickens don't eat after dark anyway. I don't know about the water, but, yeah, it might be for the best to remove it as well just to have as few things to attract them as possible. Hopefully patching things up with the fence is enough to deter them!

As far as the birds go, if they're perching way up high, they should be pretty safe even if a weasel does happen to show up. Get them to a secure coop at night if you can, but I do think they'd be all right if you can't, so try not to worry too much.

No worries at all about long posts, I don't mind if y'all talk about your birds or vent or whatever else!

It's very overwhelming. My coon issue stemed from me not taking action when I should have. I should have had all my pens hardware clothed from the beginning and everyone trained to go in when I needed them to go in and not allowed the roosting in the trees. I was upset most at myself because I became complacent that the coons wouldn't get them because they really weren't trying for the last 3 years. Now we have an abundance of them and they are hungry.

I'm going to be sleepless tonight because all most all the grow outs have been moved to the new pen. I have the door tied shut, tarp is on, food and water is out and it's got hardware clothe over it. Still going to worry tho.

Soon as the second pen is done and attached to the one we just finished all the other babies will join them out side.

I think we all get that way at some points with our chickens. I know that, years and years ago when my family first started with chickens, they used to sleep in their coop with the door wide open at night and they were fine for years like that. All it took was that one random chance that a predator happened to come along. A tough lesson to learn, but it's prevented a lot of heartbreak because I've since been quite strict about the security of the structures I'll let my birds sleep in overnight.

I hope you slept okay despite your worry. And that your birds did just fine overnight, of course!!

How is Crashie doing? Sorry if anything went wrong I didn’t have time to read all the hundreds of pages.

She's doing good for a 9 year old call duck! Quacking and making muddy messes and all that other fun stuff ducks love doing. I actually had her as picture of the day just a little over a week ago: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pipds-peeps.984955/page-421#post-27827484

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Today's picture of the day for day 18 will be another throwback picture. We've lost quite a bird overnight, the old man, Reuben. He really hadn't been the same for some years now, ever since his beloved Margaret passed on. Several times over the past year or so, I was sure he was slipping away. However, the past few days he'd been much worse than he had ever been before, and by last night I was fairly sure he would not see another sunrise. He was, sure enough, gone by this morning.

What a legend, that old rooster. At just under 10 years of age, he'd been thus far the longest reigning 'flock master' I've ever had in that flock. Despite the reputation that Silkies have for being oblivious or predator bait, he was possibly the best rooster I had ever had in my flock to keep the hens safer, at least until his son, Winter, came along. He was gentle and generous with his hens, and fiercely protective of them, yet mild-mannered and tolerant of humans handling him and the girls. At one point I even witnessed him going feet first at a hawk swooping in at his hens to defend them! He lived to see his children and grandchildren join the flock. Had there not been so many hiccups with hatching this year, he would have also seen his great-grandchildren. Though he was a Silkie and not one of my beloved silkied Cochins, it is my hope regardless that his genes continue to live on in my mixed flock for generations to come.

I unfortunately have lost track of my flash drive with most of his pictures on it. I may make another post with more of them if I come across it. Reuby certainly deserves the recognition after his many years of service.

 

[2ndTink]

Today's picture of the day for day 18 will be another throwback picture. We've lost quite a bird overnight, the old man, Reuben. He really hadn't been the same for some years now, ever since his beloved Margaret passed on. Several times over the past year or so, I was sure he was slipping away. However, the past few days he'd been much worse than he had ever been before, and by last night I was fairly sure he would not see another sunrise. He was, sure enough, gone by this morning.

View attachment 3875909

What a legend, that old rooster. At just under 10 years of age, he'd been thus far the longest reigning 'flock master' I've ever had in that flock. Despite the reputation that Silkies have for being oblivious or predator bait, he was possibly the best rooster I had ever had in my flock to keep the hens safer, at least until his son, Winter, came along. He was gentle and generous with his hens, and fiercely protective of them, yet mild-mannered and tolerant of humans handling him and the girls. At one point I even witnessed him going feet first at a hawk swooping in at his hens to defend them! He lived to see his children and grandchildren join the flock. Had there not been so many hiccups with hatching this year, he would have also seen his great-grandchildren. Though he was a Silkie and not one of my beloved silkied Cochins, it is my hope regardless that his genes continue to live on in my mixed flock for generations to come.

I unfortunately have lost track of my flash drive with most of his pictures on it. I may make another post with more of them if I come across it. Reuby certainly deserves the recognition after his many years of service.

I'm so sorry Pipd what a long and good life he had with you.

 

[2ndTink]

I don't want to hatch too many random mixed breeds, but... a couple chocolate frizzle x EE eggies ending up in the incubator couldn't be too big of a deal right?

Lovely blue on that chick

 

[NagemTX]

Today's picture of the day for day 18 will be another throwback picture. We've lost quite a bird overnight, the old man, Reuben. He really hadn't been the same for some years now, ever since his beloved Margaret passed on. Several times over the past year or so, I was sure he was slipping away. However, the past few days he'd been much worse than he had ever been before, and by last night I was fairly sure he would not see another sunrise. He was, sure enough, gone by this morning.

View attachment 3875909

What a legend, that old rooster. At just under 10 years of age, he'd been thus far the longest reigning 'flock master' I've ever had in that flock. Despite the reputation that Silkies have for being oblivious or predator bait, he was possibly the best rooster I had ever had in my flock to keep the hens safer, at least until his son, Winter, came along. He was gentle and generous with his hens, and fiercely protective of them, yet mild-mannered and tolerant of humans handling him and the girls. At one point I even witnessed him going feet first at a hawk swooping in at his hens to defend them! He lived to see his children and grandchildren join the flock. Had there not been so many hiccups with hatching this year, he would have also seen his great-grandchildren. Though he was a Silkie and not one of my beloved silkied Cochins, it is my hope regardless that his genes continue to live on in my mixed flock for generations to come.

I unfortunately have lost track of my flash drive with most of his pictures on it. I may make another post with more of them if I come across it. Reuby certainly deserves the recognition after his many years of service.

A sweet story!

Pictures of the new enclosure! Bonus with the babies in them, lol.

 

[NagemTX]

I think I'm starting to like the Crevecoeur breed for crested as they have a bigger body type than the Spitzhauben.