The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[ColtHandorf]

Oh, you mean in the barn? I haven't even done that yet. I just got the chips down in the existing run. If it doesn't quit staying so wet I won't be able to get much done in the barn. Moving the wet wood chips was awful! They are way heavier, and the wheelbarrow gets stuck in mud making the trips back and forth. That's why I quit the other day. I felt like I'd made enough ruts and I'd let it dry out some more.

 

[CCUK]

Oh, you mean in the barn? I haven't even done that yet. I just got the chips down in the existing run. If it doesn't quit staying so wet I won't be able to get much done in the barn. Moving the wet wood chips was awful! They are way heavier, and the wheelbarrow gets stuck in mud making the trips back and forth. That's why I quit the other day. I felt like I'd made enough ruts and I'd let it dry out some more.

You get a real sense of achievement when you've got the old ones gone though! I bagged them straight up in old feed sacks and tipped them in my trailer. My run is about 10m2. I like doing things the hard way sometimes. Not!

 

[Faraday40]

You have no idea. Once you have one, you'll want more!

Tell me about it!
These are the 3 I decided to sell. (2 silkied & 1 smooth)
After taking pics, I'm now 2nd guessing again. LOL
I keep telling myself that I only want a handful of "useless bantams" and right now I have several arms-fulls!

 

[flgardengirl]

Seramas are so adorable! Basically pocket chickens lol

 

[ColtHandorf]

I keep telling myself that I only want a handful of "useless bantams" and right now I have several arms-fulls!

Sounds like it's time to get a basket. Or a wheelbarrow then. They can't eat very much. I'll probably wait until spring to get any because we'll be hitting the upper 20's tomorrow morning and the rain hasn't stopped since the thunderstorms started last night after being so foggy you couldn't see more than a few hundred feet in front of you all day.

It was raining hard enough that I didn't let the birds out this morning. The geese were bullying the older chickens out of the house, but they have another area they can use to get out of the rain. I'm not sure if they were just frustrated they weren't out, or if the cooler weather is getting their hormones going. She's absolutely not allowed to have a clutch when it's this cold. lol

If I didn't mention it, Dahlia laid her first egg two days ago. She was in the hen house again early this morning singing her little egg song to herself as she worked her favorite corner. I don't know why she won't use a nest box... And I can't put a nest box there, because it is under the roosts. *rolls eyes* I think I'm going to throw wood chips down in the house pretty deep to see if that keeps the floor drier. The dirt floor sucks when it's this damp outside. And I still need to get something to cover the north vents partially. But with all the rain all I want to do is nap. lol

I took a few shots of the birds last night. I'll get them posted in a bit.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Enjoying some treats before the rain started.

Here you see Anna intently choosing which chicken she’s going to lock on to for the entirety of the time she’s spending outside on this potty trip.

A group shot...

Suede being a wiggle worm with the youngsters in the back. Look at that little snowball!

Suede and Sue who desperately needs to finish up her molt.

Dahlia looking magnificent despite the wet and the ratty saddle feathers. (I hope that means she's letting someone breed her. I've only ever seen her run.)

Another group shot:

And here you can see how I've got their pen set up currently. There's a raised cage to the left of the main house where the two youngest pullets are hanging out. The main coop, where everyone else is sleeping now is dead center, and the grow-out coop to the right. I opened up the doors and everyone is getting to wander in and out. The kids figured out the big house is drier and the wind can't get them in there so they've started going to bed. They haven't all figured out how to perch, but the turkey (who I suppose needs a name) and the Weird Sisters, (the Blue and Chocolate Orpington pullets) religiously get on the roost at night.

Also, drumroll please.....

I candled the two eggs I set that could potentially have Sterling's offspring in them and I have two heartbeats. Hopefully they are both girls too. lol

 

[homeschoolin momma]

@ColtHandorf

Dalhia and suede are gorgeous!!!

 

[flgardengirl]

I love that your chickies have their own little trees in their run. Suede is so handsome. I love blue roos!

 

[ColtHandorf]

He’s a gorgeous boy with nice lacing on his breast. I could just cry when his two red feathers catch the light in his hackles though. I’m really hoping his sons won’t have that issue. I hate to replace him. Dahlia is also a very pretty lady. She lays the roundest eggs though. Lol I guess they take after her? At least I’ll be able to tell hers apart when I’m setting the Silver-laced eggs.

And their whole pen is under that tree. Great for summertime and all the shade, but terrible when it’s cold and wet and there’s no sunshine. It’s why I usually let them out everyday.

 

[Faraday40]

@ColtHandorf
Dahlia must have her own fan club. What a beauty!!!!