What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

Food! Food fixes everything, I find, where animals are concerned

Cept horses lol

 

[TropicalBabies]

So I didn't get pics of the jigsaw puzzle before removing most pieces to try and use better pieces from the scraps the builders left...even though they know I've asked for em the contractor himself took nearly all the good pieces I could have used away yesterday! Ticked me off but subcontractor gave me few pieces they were bout to trash! Sorta win!?
Anyways here's where we at and I pray I get this thing done this week! Atleast assembled and secured with hardware cloth before next week!
Definitely work in progress but thought it was worth the effort to put up the sturdier new scrap pieces than use smaller pieces that are old and half rotted.

Go gamma go! Your getting there ♡♡♡
Not sure why the guys took materials you paid for and asked for?

 

[TropicalBabies]

Today was especially windy, but a very nice day out at least! The crew was happy to see me as well

View attachment 3432653
As I went down to collect the eggs, I found someone in the nesting box I never expected to see…
View attachment 3432655
The Frizz! She’s never been broody seasons before, so this came to be a surprise for sure. Thankfully she was gracious about the eggs, and I got them all unscathed

View attachment 3432656
Although this Langshan, Asher, was not as “beginner friendly”. She screamed at me a bit, and unfortunately it looked like she had squished an egg as well. Perhaps she will improve her brooding technique in the future

I tried to take some dashing photos of my boys, but the wind made it a bit tricky…
View attachment 3432657
Before I could try further, some of the gals decided to photobomb, and the photo shoot essentially became all about them
View attachment 3432660View attachment 3432661View attachment 3432662View attachment 3432663View attachment 3432664
That’s about all I’ve done for today so far, this message is already getting long haha

Pretty country. BEAUTIFUL flock ♡♡ Nice job!

 

[kurby22]

Oh @kurby22 ! I'm sorry I missed that post about your Iron Lady . I'm so sorry the kids ok? You ok?! I'm glad you had many great years together and you guys got to be her people. She was a lucky girl and I am sure lived quite the life. RIP Iron Lady ♡♡♡

Thanks It was a tough day, but we’ve known for awhile her time was nearing so it helps ease the pain. She did live quite the life! The beagle in her was strong!! So many adventures escaping our backyard to follow smells, squirrels, possums, rats, and skunks. She has tracked them all! And some of them lived to tell the story…but not all! She was not one to be loved and hugged on, but she loved her pack just the same Such a huge part of our lives, it’s hard to not have her here. Sweet Chloe isn’t too far behind :-(

 

[ChicksnMore]

So I didn't get pics of the jigsaw puzzle before removing most pieces to try and use better pieces from the scraps the builders left...even though they know I've asked for em the contractor himself took nearly all the good pieces I could have used away yesterday! Ticked me off but subcontractor gave me few pieces they were bout to trash! Sorta win!?
Anyways here's where we at and I pray I get this thing done this week! Atleast assembled and secured with hardware cloth before next week!
Definitely work in progress but thought it was worth the effort to put up the sturdier new scrap pieces than use smaller pieces that are old and half rotted.

Is be so upset about them taking and/or trashing stuff you asked to keep! Hope you're able to get them to remember instructions in the future. Its looking good

No, none of the others have piped. I see movement by the air cell but not in. I honestly didn’t think I would assist anyway at this point because if it is yolk I’m seeing, which I’m extremely positive it is, it isn’t going to do her any good anyway. I honestly think her best chances are to probably stay in the egg as long as possible. I’m wondering though the chances of her kicking open the air cell and in turning the yolk kinda like got sucked in there…make any since??? It just doesn’t explain the ring I’m seeing. It’s only day 25 still but in about 3 hours will be the start to day 26. Their actual scheduled hatch day. All their air cells are drawn down including hers.

I’m editing to add…should I make a safety hole in the air cell? Or wait a little??

I wouldn't make a safety hole yet. Even if there's an internal pip, it can take them 24 hours to make an external pip. I'd give at least 24 hours from the internal pip before making a safety hole.

I'm just happy it is pink healthy skin with no bad smell. I worry about infection leading to sepsis, blood infection.
When I 1st found her, I had to soak her in warm water & gently clean out the wound. It's not just a hole in skin, it is also the skin coming away & it is literally like a pocket down towards her leg, so when the rooster mounts her, his toes can go right down inside, transferring whatever dirt may be on his foot, into the wound, deep. So that is why it is Essential to clean it well yet gently, water should rinse clear.

1st bandage was with Neosporin & nonstick sterile pads, attached with the medical paper tape, as it seems to stick to skin best, without leaving goo behind or ripping out any possible feathers, although I trim away feathers that surround the wound. After the gauze & tape, I put a soft chicken saddle on her, she doesn't mind them at all & it actually keeps her from preening or fussing with the bandage & tape. The goal is to keep her comfortable yet also keep her wound clean. 24 hours later, I removed that bandage, thank God there was no nasty smell & the skin healing was a healthy pink. I rewashed the wound & as she loves it, shampooed her whole body with a gentle antibacterial soap. I did not find any mites on her but she was dusty from dirt baths. So now she is totally clean & in good spirits. The wound rinsed totally clear, then I did a Penicillin & raw sugar dressing, new non stick pad & paper tape. Then I dried her with the hair dryer on my lap, which she loved, then once dry I put a clean chicken saddle on her again. She is doing so well today!

This type of wound drains, so the bandage will be changed daily. If it was draining more, 2x a day, but she is doing great. Tonight I will flush wound with sterile saline then apply Neosporin & bandage again. I learned about using raw sugar & applying Penicillin directly from an old timer, he had so much knowledge. The 1st time I used sugar was for a prolapsed hen, she strained laying a huge egg. He told me to soak her in warm water, clean it off & rehydrate it, then get a handful of raw sugar & coat the prolapse, then gently work it back in. If it pops out, just repeat the process. The sugar has a therapeutic effect & promotes healing. That hen never prolapsed again. Some people use Manuka honey, it all works.

Anyway, here is Violet, relaxing, she just ate some fresh chickweed & Hentastic pellets with oregano.

View attachment 3432470
View attachment 3432478View attachment 3432480

Poor Violet looks well cared for.

Today is a sad day. We had our old, sweet, “Iron Lady” Sophie put down. She was blind, severely arthritic, and suffering dementia and we just decided we were being selfish keeping her around. We had Laps of Love come to the house and it was really peaceful and the vet was so very kind. Sophie always hated going to the vet, she’d shake and cry and lose hair…so we felt we owed her a peaceful exit.

View attachment 3432505

I'm so sorry Kurby I hope you're all doing ok? It sounds like a lovely way to say goodbye to a best friend.

Today was especially windy, but a very nice day out at least! The crew was happy to see me as well

View attachment 3432653
As I went down to collect the eggs, I found someone in the nesting box I never expected to see…
View attachment 3432655
The Frizz! She’s never been broody seasons before, so this came to be a surprise for sure. Thankfully she was gracious about the eggs, and I got them all unscathed

View attachment 3432656
Although this Langshan, Asher, was not as “beginner friendly”. She screamed at me a bit, and unfortunately it looked like she had squished an egg as well. Perhaps she will improve her brooding technique in the future

I tried to take some dashing photos of my boys, but the wind made it a bit tricky…
View attachment 3432657
Before I could try further, some of the gals decided to photobomb, and the photo shoot essentially became all about them
View attachment 3432660View attachment 3432661View attachment 3432662View attachment 3432663View attachment 3432664
That’s about all I’ve done for today so far, this message is already getting long haha

I just love it when they photobomb! Beautiful birds you have

Yesterday I treated my brooder for mites. Today I checked and nothing moving or crawling. Power washed and have little Jellybeans housed there to weather the incoming thunderstorms. View attachment 3432954
She is still prolapsed and has not laid her next egg that should help with the swelling but she is doing well and I am happy with the forward progress.

Other than that, scrubbed waters and made bags.

Love Jellybeans feathers! She's a striking gal Glad she's skipped laying at least for today...bet she is too!

Today was " put up fencing around stuff I want to keep " day. The girls had been going over the shorter fences. Those feet can be destructive. My dahlia bed got a 4' fence, and I caged in my hostas around the fruit trees. Last year they and the deer ate most of the leaves. Also was able to plant a couple new peonies, and till up a few raised beds. Sunny, and I even worked up a sweat in 51 degrees. Good and tired. Should sleep well with some Tylenol, muscle relaxers, and Bengay.

Sounds like a busy and productive day!

 

[Shetland lover]

Here too…it’s all up in my pasture. I’m thinking that I will be digging them up this year to give to our chickens. They want it they can have it.

Be careful digging it up as it's one of those plants that even a tiny root fragment left behind can regrow. You can spread it really easily to other parts of your property. My chickens love the brand new shoots but won't eat the older leaves. My friend's sheep and goats love nettles at any stage apparently.

 

[Shetland lover]

Today is a sad day. We had our old, sweet, “Iron Lady” Sophie put down. She was blind, severely arthritic, and suffering dementia and we just decided we were being selfish keeping her around. We had Laps of Love come to the house and it was really peaceful and the vet was so very kind. Sophie always hated going to the vet, she’d shake and cry and lose hair…so we felt we owed her a peaceful exit.

View attachment 3432505

I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye
Sounds like the nicest possible way for her to leave you though. At home surrounded by all that love

 

[Shetland lover]

Today was especially windy, but a very nice day out at least! The crew was happy to see me as well

View attachment 3432653
As I went down to collect the eggs, I found someone in the nesting box I never expected to see…
View attachment 3432655
The Frizz! She’s never been broody seasons before, so this came to be a surprise for sure. Thankfully she was gracious about the eggs, and I got them all unscathed

View attachment 3432656
Although this Langshan, Asher, was not as “beginner friendly”. She screamed at me a bit, and unfortunately it looked like she had squished an egg as well. Perhaps she will improve her brooding technique in the future

I tried to take some dashing photos of my boys, but the wind made it a bit tricky…
View attachment 3432657
Before I could try further, some of the gals decided to photobomb, and the photo shoot essentially became all about them
View attachment 3432660View attachment 3432661View attachment 3432662View attachment 3432663View attachment 3432664
That’s about all I’ve done for today so far, this message is already getting long haha

What gorgeous ladies (and gentleman, of course!). I just love happy, healthy chickens!

 

[Shetland lover]

Windy in Delaware, my one Roo has a very long tail. The wind kept whipping his tail feathers into his face & he'd twitch his head then look at me with a very annoyed expression...like I'm the one that brought on the wind

They all do that! Little Stanley kept running up to me and making his annoyed noise when it snowed last week. He clearly expected me to do something about it
My cats are even worse at blaming me if the weather doesn't suit them!

 

[Shetland lover]

Yesterday I treated my brooder for mites. Today I checked and nothing moving or crawling. Power washed and have little Jellybeans housed there to weather the incoming thunderstorms. View attachment 3432954
She is still prolapsed and has not laid her next egg that should help with the swelling but she is doing well and I am happy with the forward progress.

Other than that, scrubbed waters and made bags.

She's so pretty! Her feather markings are so pretty. And those little feathered feet...
Hope she continues to recover well