What did you do with your flock today?

[PopoMyers]

I believe it is.

Yeah, then she did a biggie this morning. Seems her cecal is mixed in, instead of being one raunchy one.

 

[PopoMyers]

I think today is the first time that we have discovered a hidden nest with over 30 eggs in it. We have 4 Ancona pullets that have the run of the place every day and have only found a very few eggs. They had not been laying where we could find their eggs and were not sure they where even laying. Got to have a talk with them girls about using a nest box.

It's a good thing they are naturally refrigerated, so still good, if not frozen and cracked. The ones that I had found after a battle keeping some persistent ones from flying up to the roof of the run this past summer were all past date. The hens had fashioned a nest out of a pile of aviary netting DH had left up there after installing the tarps. Those eggs got thrown in the woods. This fall I had to untangle that big pile. Hope your talk helped them behave.

 

[PopoMyers]

I spent the weekend helping my youngest move to Flagstaff. Too far away even though it's only a 4-5 hour drive. But...it's a good thing. Too far is just my momma silliness.
Got home really late last night so didn't get to do more than feed the horse and check everyone's food and water by flashlight. Hubby stayed home to hold down the fort and he was being adorably funny about the baby chicks. He kept asking if I was holding the babies yet. Go hold the babies! I guess Biscotti's gotten a bit spoiled and did a lot of yelling while I was gone.

My youngest was overjoyed all weekend. Last thing we did yesterday was teach my kids how to roll balls big enough for a snowman. My oldest is 30 and still didn't know how....lack of opportunity. So we planted a snowman by the dorm entrance so Tami has a reminder of home for a bit. View attachment 3725871View attachment 3725877

Nothing like making memories by building your first snowman.

 

[PopoMyers]

The outside girls got a treat of oatmeal with sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and a handful of cat food. DH and I refilled their heated waterer. They hadn't drank very much since it was put out a couple days ago, so it should last them for quite awhile, at least until their bucket thaws out. The nipples were frozen shut, even with the bucket on top of the heater. Guess the radius is just a tad too wide to keep the sides from freezing.

 

[Nomadicus]

Our watering fountains will freeze starting Wednesday morning for a few days. Not more than 5 now. It has to drop to below 28° for several hours for them to freeze so we don't often have to thaw them out. I will have to leave the 300 feet of hose dripping steadily a few nights to keep the supply line from freezing. Cheaper to let it drip a few times a year than to pay to have it buried and install hydrants at all the coops.

 

[kurby22]

Home from another poultry show, got another one in two weeks! I’m tired We did pretty well, but nothing super exciting. Jager took Best in Breed and Best in Variety for d’Anvers, Oreo and PipPip each got Best in their Variety and Sweet Pea got Reserve Variety. Iceman got Reserve Variety in the Blue Quail Watermaals, and Monica got 2nd in the Quail and Rachel got 3rd. And Jessamy got Best in Breed and Best Variety for the bantam Ameraucanas, Bonnie got Reserve Breed and Best Variety, Clyde got Reserve Variety, and Angus got Best Variety. And Tux got first in his category (cockerel mottled) Cochin. The only thing that’s a bummer is that in Ameraucanas we were competing again with ourselves. I was the only one showing them! And there were only two quail d’Anvers that were not mine…so it doesn’t feel like very exciting wins when you’re competing with yourself mostly

I also had a weak moment and bought two blue cream silkies that were in the sales cages. I did sell 4 birds so really I came back still having less birds than when I left I have been coveting blue cream silkies for forever and finally bit the bullet!

There were some pretty birds there too. So all in all a good weekend. Gotta get some rest now, very burned out!

 

[ChicksnMore]

I sold about 20 of my original hens. Mix of Delaware and RIR. Now I have a coop free for some new pullets coming out of the brooder to grow out in. Some of the big boys went with them. They went to a local farmer and his son for supplying them with eggs. Nice people. They wanted to know if I would have more... Good sign. I got Legs off of his roost and let them see him. The were totally awe struck at his size. His incredibly long legs and neck. I brought Legs in tonight and he is in a kennel saying in out of the cold and wet that is coming early in the morning. He is so macho that he parades around in the rain like the sun is shining. He is a must protect as he is my official support rooster. Had him in my lap tonight and he stood there and ate a slice of sandwich bread as a bed time snack and never even tried to take a step to get off of me. He lets me nuzzle him and will close his eyes when I do. For a boy just going into a peak hormonal stage he is a dream boy.

Joel is hiding in the back of the coop.
View attachment 3726108
I cornered him, checked out his feet, felt under his wings, vent, hackles. No sign of injury, doesn't appear to be ill, no pests. I held both his legs while I checked him, and he relaxed. He closed his eyes while I stroked him.

I believe he's been deposed, Samuel is strutting around with the hens.

If Samuel is now Boss Roo, I hope he shows as much tolerance as Joel showed him.

Poor Joel.
View attachment 3726109
That's his favorite, Hannah, feeding close by.

This evening when I checked the roost Hannah was on the end, next to Joel.


"Stand by your man..."

Heartwarming

 

[ChicksnMore]

Home from another poultry show, got another one in two weeks! I’m tired We did pretty well, but nothing super exciting. Jager took Best in Breed and Best in Variety for d’Anvers, Oreo and PipPip each got Best in their Variety and Sweet Pea got Reserve Variety. Iceman got Reserve Variety in the Blue Quail Watermaals, and Monica got 2nd in the Quail and Rachel got 3rd. And Jessamy got Best in Breed and Best Variety for the bantam Ameraucanas, Bonnie got Reserve Breed and Best Variety, Clyde got Reserve Variety, and Angus got Best Variety. And Tux got first in his category (cockerel mottled) Cochin. The only thing that’s a bummer is that in Ameraucanas we were competing again with ourselves. I was the only one showing them! And there were only two quail d’Anvers that were not mine…so it doesn’t feel like very exciting wins when you’re competing with yourself mostly

I also had a weak moment and bought two blue cream silkies that were in the sales cages. I did sell 4 birds so really I came back still having less birds than when I left I have been coveting blue cream silkies for forever and finally bit the bullet!

There were some pretty birds there too. So all in all a good weekend. Gotta get some rest now, very burned out!

I don't know how you find the energy to prepare so many birds! Do you wash and blow dry all of them? I don't know much about showing but have had friends that show, and it sounds like so much work to groom them to perfection! Feather shine sprays, toenail trims and all kinds of stuff.

Sounds like an exciting time! I can see the appeal in those silkies. I'll always have a soft spot for the cotton ball birds.

All of your birds are gorgeous

 

[ChicksnMore]

Relaxed with Biscotti for a bit before bed. Had to take some pictures of the little cutie. He's starting to look good He's definitely getting spoiled. He's got brooder mates, but he wants his people time.

 

[Shetland lover]

DH said he'd check the eggs, too cold for me to be out there. Made the outside gang some oatmeal, which they loved. Nice warm treat after a 15 degree night. It'll be good to be back to warmer temps by Wednesday, when the rain returns.
Olena is making smaller poops more often than big ones 2x day. Is that a good sign? @Shetland lover @ChicksnMore @TropicalBabies

I'm happy with that as long as it's still solid with urates on top. Shows her digestive system is working well