Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Perris]

Can't keep jungle fowl at the allotments for lots of reasons.

I wasn't suggesting you get some!

 

[Sally PB]

Good King Henry

Never heard of that, so I had to look it up. Alas, it likes zone 6 and above. I'm in zone 5.

 

[Molpet]

Never heard of that, so I had to look it up. Alas, it likes zone 6 and above. I'm in zone 5.

This says zone 3
https://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/good-king-henry-eco-perennial-green-3096

 

[Sally PB]

Alas, the seeds are sold out right now. But I'll keep looking! Thank you.

 

[Nomadicus]

No looking like there will be any problems getting kids in the coops tonight. It's pouring rain and getting dark. They should already be on the roosts. I'm not going out to check until we get a break in this deluge.

 

[Shadrach]

Three hours today. Half an hour of that spent sitting on the extension roost bar while a full on storm hacked accross the sky. It tipped down but it did wash the coops tarpaulins rather well; a job I had been putting off for weeks.
Another egg from Fret and one from Carbon.

Henry discovered the bolted spinach I had stripped the best leaves off and called Carbon and Fret over. Carbon ate a bit but Fret wasn't impressed so Henry got to eat most of it. It's quite difficult to get Henry to eat any of the nice stuff because he gives it to the hens.

"Follow me ladies."

Not quite sure where he thought he was off to.

Their confidence has returned and they foraged in most of the spots they used to.

Later to roost this evening after a doze on the extension roost bar.
For some reason Henry has swapped bars.

 

[MaryJanet]

Shad, what are the options for new hens by approaching an egg producer directly? I'd be tempted to just call a few and see what they say.

 

[Nomadicus]

The weather cleared up just in time for the young hoodlums to take off for the woods before being forced to stay in their coops. I need to have a discussion with them on the best way to prepare chicken and dumplings.

 

[fuzzi]

Yes, she’s my favorite current chicken. Curious yet not overly obnoxious. Chatty but not screechy. A perfect combination of backyard chicken.

Spinach bolted here quickly also. Have you ever tried Swiss chard? It tastes great if you like steamed spinach, or baby leaves in a salad, and will grow all season long if you pick only the bottom leaves.

When my SS see me approaching the coop they all rush to the door, making their little "excited" noises. I am The Bringer of Grapes...

 

[fuzzi]

Oh geez, I just suggested that. Well, two votes for chard

My beets did not do well, but the chard is over a foot tall and looking very healthy!