Sdwd

[Hillbilly Hen]

Wow Kathy! Those are some long spurs. How did you remove them?

I tried to candle last night. Not sure what exactally I am looking for but can tell a clear egg from the others. I also moved the black chickens back into the big coop with the rest of the chickens. That was enough to break the broody JG. She had only been sitting a few days. I tried to move her and her eggs to another nest but she did not like that idea. I had another NH chick hatch today and another one of Shugs eggs exploded

 

[kathyinmo]

Wow Kathy! Those are some long spurs. How did you remove them?

I tried to candle last night. Not sure what exactally I am looking for but can tell a clear egg from the others. I also moved the black chickens back into the big coop with the rest of the chickens. That was enough to break the broody JG. She had only been sitting a few days. I tried to move her and her eggs to another nest but she did not like that idea. I had another NH chick hatch today and another one of Shugs eggs exploded

I watched this (poor quality) video showing how to do it. I was done in less than one minute. It really was easy! Next one I do, I will have someone video me.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

We did it once with a hot potato and then pliers.

 

[speckledhen]

I've decided to leave spurs on my roosters, only to blunt the sharp ends, mainly because of the predators we have here in the woods and the fact that I do want to free range even more in the future, like we used to do with the original flock. We do dremel them when the length is so long that it begins to trip them up, but never take them off completely. Since we only keep easygoing roosters here, the spurs are not an issue. I've found that when hens are hurt during mating, it's the toenails that rip them up rather than the spurs.

Dutch somehow snapped one of his off at the leg, probably fighting with Suede at the fence. We never found the spur and it didn't grow back. He was completely spurless on one leg for the rest of his life.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I sure am glad I didn't toss Shug's eggs yet. I almost did. This morning I have a cute little Delawegger. It has a very dark stipe on its head and the rest is light colored. I will have to get pics sometime soon.

 

[speckledhen]

Cool, Laura!!


Dru and Gideon spent the night in the main coop. Isaac isn't paying Gideon any attention, even when the teenager crows, so maybe, just maybe, he'll be fine with him being there. The next test will be when Gideon mates one of his hens, but that may not be for a couple of weeks, since he's just about to turn 12 weeks old.

 

[kathyinmo]

Great, Laura! Look forward to seeing your pictures!

This is Brittney today.....







And, Kayson, being extra sweet today.........




His mama wanted a picture of this in watercolor.



And, illustration....



I love this camera!

 

[speckledhen]

Gosh, that cat is as big as he is!

Some pics for you. That cute little snot rag, Aubrey:


My boy, Gideon and Dru, hanging out on range:

 

[kathyinmo]

Gosh, that cat is as big as he is!

She is a big, fat, fluffy, hairy cat! She does not get in the house either!

 

[speckledhen]

Yeah, cat hair I don't want in the house, either! No cats here.

In that next to last picture, look at some of Gideon's tail feathers. See the heart shapes on them? Aren't they cute?