What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

Yeah, my two cockerels are brood mates, hatched the end of July. Ertugrul was the first to try crowing, and is larger. There was another Sapphire Gem cockerel before them, their dad, who died suddenly at around 5 mo. in August, so these boys of his are coming into their own.

Went to open the temp coop door, and what do I see? Leaves piled into the corner. Some chicken is making her own nest from the leaves I had raked into the run. Is this a strange behavior? There are already shavings in there.

Got a heated water thingy for them since temps next week will certainly freeze the bucket. Lazy me does not want to cart water out there twice a day. Something I did not know is that if you are in the Tractor Supply loyalty program (points for $spent), they automatically give you an extra 2 years extended warranty, worth $14.99. If this breaks down before 3 years, I could get a replacement. Pretty worth it to me.

Penelope drags all sorts of stuff into the nest box from fallen leaves to the occasional produce bag. She even decorates with flowers if the mood takes her! I thought it was mice nest-building until I saw her doing it. I've no idea if it's normal or not. Penelope is a little bit weird anyway!

Stanley is starting to be ostracized by the girls now and spending a lot of time on his own during the day. I keep trying to reassure him it will pass and his dad went through the same thing but he does look so sad and is constantly trying to tempt them over by making the 'I found cream cakes!' noise. His dad is still being kind to him but Stan seems scared of him and just runs away if he approaches. On a night, he snuggles with his auntie Gladys in the nest box so he is getting some attention. Gladys is top hen and not known for being nice to little roos!

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

@Shetland lover well please let me know how the papers and sand do!
I'm enjoying the amazing compost I get from all the woodchips and bark n poo but their feet just don't look as beautiful as they should LOL!

@TropicalBabies been thinking bout you often and praying you are doing well with everything you have going on over yonder.

Miss Daisy is finally broody no more!!!
And the temps were fairly warm last night but super windy so since the lil babies have been venturing out of the brooder most of the day I tried them inside the coop with the big babies!
They did amazing!!! No bullying or picking on and came down the staircase and came to me no problem! I and they too enjoyed the lullaby they got in the coop since I could more easily stand than sit in a chair and fall over LOLOL!

 

[ChicksnMore]

In the U.K you can only get antibiotics on prescription but i understand it's different in the U.S. and you can buy most antibiotics at feed stores etc? I don't think you can get enrofolaxin (Baytril) other than prescribed by a vet though? I did notice a business based in California on eBay called Crown Pet Supplies that seemed to be selling a lot of bird meds. No idea how good they are and I don't know anything about them?
Things like the Echinacea are available in most health stores. All the things I mentioned (apart from antibiotics) I got from The British Hen Welfare Trust shop. They are a brilliant charity and I try to support them as much as I can.

You used to be able to buy them at feed stores. They're harder to get now. But at least you can buy terramycin again. For a while there they made that illegal and I had to buy it from overseas.

 

[ChicksnMore]

I just love reading about all you guys bird antics. Everyones got such adorable fluff balls!

I'm fighting mice again here. It happens off and on. Luckily none have made it into the house...but that's undoubtedly because they're better fed out at the coops...lol. I have tons of multi-catch traps that I routinely set. I used to set poison too but the eldest has asked me not to because it worries her. So I don't any more. But the traps by themselves are woefully inadequate. I'm feeling very frustrated with it! We have two kitties of our own outside and one feral Tom that's adopted us, but they're not enough either. I've never had a time when I couldn't get rid of them before, but this year has been mouse bad.

 

[PopoMyers]

For more ideas, go here. Oddly satisfying to see them die. https://mousetrapmonday.com/category/mousetrap/

 

[FBMcrazy8]

Oh, I have an idea! Make some bags like @TropicalBabies does, and use those as reusable gift bags! Drop in, close, label, and go! , Well maybe for next year.

Yeah, next year might work out better . But really it isn’t a bad idea for family! And now that I have chickens, ducks, goats, puppy’s, and momma dog there will be PLENTY of bags.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I'm sooooo sick if all this dadgum rain!!!
I've used so much PDZ and Stall Dry...3 bags of pine shavings and bark....ugh just nasty mess!!!

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

I'm sooooo sick if all this dadgum rain!!!
I've used so much PDZ and Stall Dry...3 bags of pine shavings and bark....ugh just nasty mess!!!

I am so with you!

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

I cleaned out the run and coop with my girls fussing at me all the way!

 

[The Tiny Homestead]

Yeah, the guy said they do. Crazy, right!? I need to look it up. Maybe it goes into soup or something? I think you could probably make tea with it, but stinging nettle stew doesn’t sound good for your digestion. Stinging nettle makes great soup. Not so much fun to brush against .