What did you do with your flock today?

[Tahai]

Put the tarp on the run today. I'd like to roof it eventually, but I already overshot my budget for this project (lumber is ridiculous!). I got a super heavy-duty tarp, and am hoping it lasts at least a year.

 

[ChicksnMore]

About an hour before sunset yesterday I finally let my new cockerels meet my pullets face to face. There were a few little skirmishes, but nothing that caused injury.

They all seemed to get along with the hex fence separating them, so I figured I'd give first contact a try. I decided that out in the open would be best so they could run and hide if they felt the need. I tossed out some scratch and fed them some treats as a distraction.

Overall, I think it was a success. But for now, seems the pullets rule the roost. LOL

The cockerels have been in the coop. When I opened it up they didn't come out until I let out the pullets and threw down some scratch.

View attachment 3537732

So far, so good...

View attachment 3537745

The boys separated from the girls, but it might have been that they just wanted to eat some greens.

View attachment 3537750

View attachment 3537752

Then the tussles began...

View attachment 3537754

View attachment 3537755

View attachment 3537756

View attachment 3537757

This guy got a little payback. LOL

View attachment 3537758

They were civil most of the time...

View attachment 3537759

But not always. Was this one just asserting dominance or trying to mate???

View attachment 3537760

And after all that, they still seemed to get along over the scratch pile. Mostly.

View attachment 3537761

When it was almost dark I coaxed the pullets into their run area. The cockerels jumped up on the wooden fence next to the coop, then the subordinate one jumped down and hopped into his coop. After a bit I picked up the remaining one from the fence, carried him around a little and put him into the coop and closed it up for the night.

View attachment 3537765

The hens acted really strange in the run after the encounter. They were all piled up in the front corner closest to the coop, like they all really wanted to be with their new flockmates.

All in all, I think it was a successful meeting.

View attachment 3537764

Looks like a wonderful first meeting

I only have one side filled right now, but they are loving it!! :-D Shade cloth is up so they don’t bake and I had to add some mesh because they’re still small enough to fit through the run fence. But otherwise they’re good to go!

Love your new coop-plex! But...I just got to say that that brown frizzle staring right into the camera in the last pic is a show stealer! What a little doll that baby is!

 

[kurby22]

Looks like a wonderful first meeting

Love your new coop-plex! But...I just got to say that that brown frizzle staring right into the camera in the last pic is a show stealer! What a little doll that baby is!

I know! Isn’t she a show stopper?? My husband is so lame. He calls her homely “Kendra, Homely is in the Coop now” No appreciation for the beauty in uniqueness! At least she’s not a naked neck

The second batch of freebie eggs I got from the same breeder are happy in their bigger brooder too. Did I tell you she sent me 12 free eggs just cuz? Haha I really like her I moved them to the Scrambled Egger coop. They’re a good batch of grow outs for starting some good Watermaals and Ameraucanas. But she slipped another egg from her Satin pen in and instead of the frizzle girl, I got a lavender mottled boy and he’s gonna be GORGEOUS. Did I mention I like her? I’ll have to get a new picture of him when it is light out!

 

[ChicksnMore]

I know! Isn’t she a show stopper?? My husband is so lame. He calls her homely “Kendra, Homely is in the Coop now” No appreciation for the beauty in uniqueness! At least she’s not a naked neck

The second batch of freebie eggs I got from the same breeder are happy in their bigger brooder too. Did I tell you she sent me 12 free eggs just cuz? Haha I really like her I moved them to the Scrambled Egger coop. They’re a good batch of grow outs for starting some good Watermaals and Ameraucanas. But she slipped another egg from her Satin pen in and instead of the frizzle girl, I got a lavender mottled boy and he’s gonna be GORGEOUS. Did I mention I like her? I’ll have to get a new picture of him when it is light out!

Beautiful babies! That lady sounds like a gem . I'm still in love with the lavender birds but I'm trying my best to behave and reduce my birds. Well, except for the peas. . My first Java egg got its external pip tonight. I'm so excited

 

[TropicalBabies]

@Tahai love the coop set up. Your chooks are so civilized to not moonscape your run. Looks wonderful and yes, expensive

@kurby22 everyone is looking very adorable plain or not, lol.

Congrats on the soon-to-be hatch @ChicksnMore Most exciting!!

 

[kurby22]

Beautiful babies! That lady sounds like a gem . I'm still in love with the lavender birds but I'm trying my best to behave and reduce my birds. Well, except for the peas. . My first Java egg got its external pip tonight. I'm so excited

Oooh exciting! I can’t wait to see a newborn pea! You are behaving so well!

 

[kurby22]

@Tahai love the coop set up. Your chooks are so civilized to not moonscape your run. Looks wonderful and yes, expensive

@kurby22 everyone is looking very adorable plain or not, lol.

Congrats on the soon-to-be hatch @ChicksnMore Most exciting!!

Thanks! I agree!

 

[Jad1977]

I found my chooks had made a new nest, had been stashing a bunch of eggs and made a video of them!

 

[kurby22]

I found my chooks had made a new nest, had been stashing a bunch of eggs and made a video of them!

Hehe thanks for sharing! That was fun! The Australorp really tried hard to take those eggs away from her!

 

[kurby22]

Put the tarp on the run today. I'd like to roof it eventually, but I already overshot my budget for this project (lumber is ridiculous!). I got a super heavy-duty tarp, and am hoping it lasts at least a year. View attachment 3538201View attachment 3538202View attachment 3538203

Looks great!! Lumber is pricey!! Tarps are a good short term solution, I use them too! With some zip ties they do a decent job for awhile