I have to put in my two cents in! lol First, I am glad to be part of this board. I may not post as much as I probably should but I feel like I know you guys! lol I cheer for you guys when I hear (read) good news and I am saddened and pray for you when I see different trials and tribulations you go through. I don't want to post each one and bring up sadness when you may be having a great day and bring you down.
I grew up hearing Memorial Day called "Decoration" as in we are going to the cemetery for decoration. We would put new artificial flowers on headstones and flags on the graves of those in the family that served. We usually did this on Saturday and the whole weekend was "decoration" and we would see cousins we rarely ever saw. The stories told by the grandparents and their siblings were amazing. I miss those times. I do honor those that have/do serve our country. Utmost respect to the brave that do what I consider a heros job.
I am a newbie to chickens. If I ask questions or make comments that upset others, my apologies upfront. I am amazed at those of you guys that do so much with chickens. We were given 2 RIR's 'layers' and we get one egg per day for the two of them. I researched on here and know which one is laying (I am 95% sure lol). I have dealt with mites thanks to the fabulous info on BYC. Hubby also purchased 7 babies from local feed store. They are now 11 weeks old. I have had such joy watching these chickens!!! I never knew the different personalities chickens have much less how sweet they can be. I am getting ready to separate and isolate the big bully as we move the babies into the big coop. Since we allow all of the chickens out during the day at the same time, I have noticed how mean she is to the smaller chickens. After BYC research, I read how to isolate her for a day or two and cross fingers that it will mellow her a little around the little ones. The little ones are now in a tractor and it will be perfect for her to see the others yet be 'alone'. I had no idea how much stuff cost, including certain breeds, chick or egg, so if I sometimes seem in awe of pics , your infinite amount of wisdom, the costs of some of the breeds, please don't think poorly of me. It is just my inexperience and I will get better as I learn more. I also used the potato trick to remove a spur that was growing up and she could not squat as she perched because it was bothering her!
We have a dog, a mixed breed, and she is getting on up there at almost 9 years old. She is one that still cannot greet you without jumping all over you, will not do anything she does not want to do (like fetch), when she is outside and off her chain (we live in the city limits and she must be chained up unless we are outside with her) she will sneak off and walk down the center of the road. Neighbor calls her kamakazi dog. She is good for loving on when she is in the mood and for a couple of years, this has been about all she is good at lol. I have tried to introduce her to the chickens but she has seen them as the wild birds she wants to catch. We have had to chase down both her and the chickens at times to make sure there are no injuries to the feather babies and to scold her. For a while it has been either the dog or the chickens running free in the yard. Friday night, the 13 year old heard the dog barking under the carport at her dog food bag. Hub and son go out and find a small possum in the dog food bag. "smart hubs" lets it go in the backyard so it will run away. Sat night as our neighbor is leaving, he steps under the carport and in his Maine accent shouts "da*m possum". we could not locate the possum after he scared it. 15 min or so later as we are sitting by the firepit, I heard an uproar in the coop. My shout of something is in the coop had me, hubs, 13 yo and two of his friends running out there. The dog thankfully was off her chain since we were enjoying the evening outside We had the 2 big chickens (I am guessing a year old for one and maybe 2-3 for the other....how do you tell on grown chickens?) and one of the babes that went to 'bed' in the big coop that night instead of her tractor. The door to the coop did not get completely closed that night for some reason (I think my 12 year old closed it up that night). We saw the possum (and yes, I know there should be an 'o' at the beginning but it looks funny when I type it) run down the ramp and out into the run. My previously useless dog actually snuck around the ramp and stealthily got behind the possum and chased it out of the run through the open door where we were all standing and took the critter down! She saved the chickens! All chickens were ok. Not a mark on any of them! put another babe in the coop so there were two small and the two adults to 'hang out' with each other. Next day, for the first time ever, the chickens let the dog close to them without running scared. Useless dog would walk very slowly when around the chickens and wait until she was several feet away before moving with any type of speed. She did not once snip at the chickens and only chased the big bully chicken once! So Sunday night, we are sitting on the patio out back and I heard something on the patio...not loud, I thought it may have been a hardshell bug hitting the light. Useless dog goes to investigate when I said I heard something (I honestly believe she understands what I say) and low and behold, another possum is in the feed bag. She cornered it and dog 2, possum 0. I think we need another name for useless dog (Bitsy is her real name lol)
I just wanted to share some of my chicken stories. Hopefully those having a hard time will get a smile! Everyone have a wonderful day!
I have one fixed male, 3 yrs old, spoiled rotten. He was an abandoned kitten as well and now a healthy farm cat. 
