Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[Imprfctme]

This is a side view of my coop:


The original exercise pen is the part on the left; we added the much bigger back-side just this month. I closed off the mini-exercise pen and put an old dog crate in there that didn't have a gate on it anymore. I've left them outside on the nicer days but brought them back in at night. I'm wondering if there's any harm in just integrating them into the flock full-on when I put them out for good though, since it is such a small flock (3 adults, 2 chicks). The Welsummer was hatched on 4/11/12, and the bantam chick that came from Roberta hatched probably a week later? 4/18? Roberta do you know SHE hatched, lol?

Of course I am noticing her squeaks are more rhythmic than the older chicks - she's just practicing to make a crowing noise, right? Argh!(!*)$#$_!!

 

[Imprfctme]

Here's the most recent clear photo of the chicks:

Still too early to tell, right?

 

[Imprfctme]

My Wellies all seemed a bit redder, but still girls.
The feathers are a different color on the males, more red/orange.
Get some pics!

No, I think the bantam mutt cochin you gave us is looking male-ish. Any idea when it hatched?

 

[Imprfctme]

 

[smkchick]

This is a side view of my coop:


The original exercise pen is the part on the left; we added the much bigger back-side just this month. I closed off the mini-exercise pen and put an old dog crate in there that didn't have a gate on it anymore. I've left them outside on the nicer days but brought them back in at night. I'm wondering if there's any harm in just integrating them into the flock full-on when I put them out for good though, since it is such a small flock (3 adults, 2 chicks). The Welsummer was hatched on 4/11/12, and the bantam chick that came from Roberta hatched probably a week later? 4/18? Roberta do you know SHE hatched, lol?

Of course I am noticing her squeaks are more rhythmic than the older chicks - she's just practicing to make a crowing noise, right? Argh!(!*)$#$_!!

I love the coop! Do the hens play on the swingset too?

 

[smkchick]

Sounds like a great day - except wasn't it raining where you are too? I have to start with the weeding but then I'm noticing bugs munching on the leaves and I want to spray horticultural oil which doesn't work when its raining and then.... you get the idea.

Natural flea repellant: try pennyroyal or nepatia, aka catmint. Guess who has a TON of catmint and can give it to you free if I see you on Saturday? Would you prefer dried or roots for transplanting? Note that catmint is not as strong as catnip but it will still probably make lil' kitty go Whee Whee Whee all the way home if you catch my drift. What about a gentle dusting with D.E.? Or is that not cool because cats lick themselves? Not a cat person here.

I will try to take better pictures of the chicks but I'm a little preoccupied with the puppy at the moment. She is already showing off her herding instincts and makes the big chickens bunch up in a group and then moves them from one part of the yard to the other. That is, she did it once before I cut her off. I'm not up on how to train a herder and I don't need to lose all three of my laying hens right now.

Actually, the research I did recommended DE. And bathing the kitty with Dawn dishwashing liquid (!). He's getting a little feisty with the baths, so I may do a light DE dusting. There's a product on the market for natural flea control. It's active ingredient? DE!

And thanks for the catmint. I'd love plants so I can put them in the herb garden.

Really looking forward to Saturday!

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Good morning all! Have a great day!

 

[stoopid]

I've got a giant bag of DE, will try to remember to bring a small bag on Sat.
And now my phone took a crap. I don't need this right now!
Will look up Chippys hatch date.

 

[goldeneggtees]

where are you all going on Saturday, maybe I can come? Not sure what we are doing yet but I would so love a day away! I can drive, got a big car!

 

[stoopid]

Sussex County Poultry Fanciers show, Sparta, NJ.
It's at the fairgrounds.

Here's the link https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/646352/nj-sussex-county-poultry-fanciers-annual-spring-show