What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

Hi I found this thread and love the concept! I’m always sharing with my family about my flock and they just really don’t care! I need people to talk and share chickens with

I have a smallish backyard flock and am new this year to chickens. I had no idea how much I would love them! They’re challenging and fun and so interesting and silly to watch and they bring me lots of happiness.

I originally got 5 baby chicks at the start of April. 3 lavender Orpington and 2 BLRWs…we learned with that first batch the heartache of chickens as one of the Orpington passed away after 3 days. :-( We added 2 silkies a couple weeks later and I was content and hopeful that I had at least one hen of each coloring, but alas…I learned my second hard truth about chickens…straight runs are gonna be boys and the ones you like best will definitely be boys. So I got 3 boys and 3 girls, and had to rehome two of the boys. So my husband learned really quickly about chicken math and we added more chickens in hopes of increasing the hen numbers (and a second and better coop)!

I love them all so much and spend more time with my birds than I ever thought possible haha. I added some chicks that were an oopsie for a breeder when her Cochin hen got out and busy while she was on vacation and so they were a cheap deal Also got one of her Mauve Orpingtons that might lay pink eggs.

So NOW my flock is now 1 lavender Orpington, 1 BLRW, 2 silkies, 7 Cochin-Marans-Isbar mixes, 2 lavender Ameraucanas, 2 Isabel lavender mottled and laced Orpingtons, 1 blue copper marans, 1 Welsummer, and 4 bantam BBS Cochins

Oh my sister from another mister!
I had the same chicken math (so sorry btw) lose one add 2, or so it went. Now I am just shameless and defy my DH to try and keep up with my #s or try and count! Lol
Love your breeds! Dreamy lavender orps, a muave orp! And cochins ♡♡♡
Love the chicken gush and photos. I am the same but have evolved into more aof a chicken circus or rodeo.... or both. Love the juggle!
Cute coop also! Keep the shares up ♡ I appreciate.

 

[hoppingchicks]

Hello! This is a place to post pictures/talk about what you and your flock have done today.

I was on a zoom call earlier and Iris, my rooster, decided to stand behind me and crow repeatedly. Thankfully I was on mute, but it was still annoying. They couldn’t see him, but they could see me trying to make him quiet, which was a little embarrassing.
Here’s a pic of my boy with some mini roses.
View attachment 2128202

What about you guys? Have you done anything interesting with your flock today?

Here are a few pictures of my birds.
View attachment 2128859View attachment 2128860View attachment 2128833View attachment 2128869
View attachment 2128894

he is soo cute has he ( or the chick) got speckled Sussex in them at all
hoppingchicks

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning all enjoy the people here this is wonderful thread all Welcome

 

[kurby22]

Oh my sister from another mister!
I had the same chicken math (so sorry btw) lose one add 2, or so it went. Now I am just shameless and defy my DH to try and keep up with my #s or try and count! Lol
Love your breeds! Dreamy lavender orps, a muave orp! And cochins ♡♡♡
Love the chicken gush and photos. I am the same but have evolved into more aof a chicken circus or rodeo.... or both. Love the juggle!
Cute coop also! Keep the shares up ♡ I appreciate.

Thanks! It’s nice to have chicken friends :-D The other part that has been both great and heartbreaking is how much my daughter has enjoyed the chickens! She’s a super sensitive kid and loves them all and is learning a lot of great life lessons about caring for living creatures and thinking of others besides yourself. She just turned 8, so she’s just old enough to truly love it and be devastated at every loss and rehoming. It’s been fun to watch her grow and learn about love and loss. My son isn’t quite old enough and gets too nervous around them—hopefully someday that will switch and he’ll embrace them. He’s only 6 though…

This is my daughter’s very favorite of the chicks and she named her after herself—Aria Jr. (not totally selfless yet!) We are crossing our fingers every day that she doesn’t sprout big wattles or turn any redder She’s already cried twice at the thought of her leaving. Thanks for letting me join and share!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I grew up on a cattle farm. Noe 60+ plus retired I got chickens to make me get up in morning .. Have a ton fun with all the different chicken types now ..
and threads like this

 

[TropicalBabies]

Thanks! It’s nice to have chicken friends :-D The other part that has been both great and heartbreaking is how much my daughter has enjoyed the chickens! She’s a super sensitive kid and loves them all and is learning a lot of great life lessons about caring for living creatures and thinking of others besides yourself. She just turned 8, so she’s just old enough to truly love it and be devastated at every loss and rehoming. It’s been fun to watch her grow and learn about love and loss. My son isn’t quite old enough and gets too nervous around them—hopefully someday that will switch and he’ll embrace them. He’s only 6 though…

This is my daughter’s very favorite of the chicks and she named her after herself—Aria Jr. (not totally selfless yet!) We are crossing our fingers every day that she doesn’t sprout big wattles or turn any redder She’s already cried twice at the thought of her leaving. Thanks for letting me join and share!

Oh my goodness! What a face
Children are so beautiful. I bet it is hard with those littles to lose a beloved creature. It was pretty hard on me as a crusty old gal too. I tried to learn from my mistakes because I beat myself up for not being able to see around corners or react fast enough to something I did not know or could not see. Chickens are so fragile and it takes a few loses and some learning- well, did for me anyways- to hit smooth sailing. I learned from many on this site and am able to have a few wins now. Frame of mind- knowing that I gave them the best life I could and did my best. Also having a little burial (now site) helped so I can honor their life, think of their cuteness and remember the lesson learned. Plus hugs are super good too.

 

[TropicalBabies]

I grew up on a cattle farm. Noe 60+ plus retired I got chickens to make me get up in morning .. Have a ton fun with all the different chicken types now ..
and threads like this

I love the logic @penny.
My kids are raised and mostly gone doing their thing, my husband sleeps in and I am a morning person. Awesome to go out in the quiet (even with rooster crow?) and say hello to the gang and take care of their needs before the world wakes up. Not so much of a chore then.

 

[kurby22]

Oh my goodness! What a face
Children are so beautiful. I bet it is hard with those littles to lose a beloved creature. It was pretty hard on me as a crusty old gal too. I tried to learn from my mistakes because I beat myself up for not being able to see around corners or react fast enough to something I did not know or could not see. Chickens are so fragile and it takes a few loses and some learning- well, did for me anyways- to hit smooth sailing. I learned from many on this site and am able to have a few wins now. Frame of mind- knowing that I gave them the best life I could and did my best. Also having a little burial (now site) helped so I can honor their life, think of their cuteness and remember the lesson learned. Plus hugs are super good too.

Thank you! I think her heart shines through so well, especially when she’s wi animals

Yes, there has been a lot of tears and hugs this year over birds. We also have quail and our dog has eaten three of them! Two were like 2 days old and the other one escaped the fenced area and we found the dog carrying it like a toy She finally mostly forgave him, but it’s taken a few months! Has made her better about keeping their pens closed and locked though! We love that quail start laying at 6 weeks, egg hunting each day has been super fun!

I’m so envious you live in Hawaii!! What a beautiful place to call home! I’ve been to Oahu and the Big Island, but still need to see Kauai and Maui Happy 3 day weekend everyone!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Thank you! I think her heart shines through so well, especially when she’s wi animals

Yes, there has been a lot of tears and hugs this year over birds. We also have quail and our dog has eaten three of them! Two were like 2 days old and the other one escaped the fenced area and we found the dog carrying it like a toy She finally mostly forgave him, but it’s taken a few months! Has made her better about keeping their pens closed and locked though! We love that quail start laying at 6 weeks, egg hunting each day has been super fun!

I’m so envious you live in Hawaii!! What a beautiful place to call home! I’ve been to Oahu and the Big Island, but still need to see Kauai and Maui Happy 3 day weekend everyone!

That is a perfect way to put it, her heart does shine through ♡ fabulous chicken model!

I ended up rehoming my loved dog for his sneak attacks on my chickens. Had to pick one... and chicken won out. Was so mad that I did not think I could forgive him his last trespass. He landed well so all is good for him.

Yeah, pretty lucky. I came from Cali 42 years ago. Not a good fit for me even as a kid. Getting into Hawaii's water was the best thing I could have ever hope for. I like to call Maui home as that is where I landed and made my way. Friends are there etc. My husband is from here so here I am. Pretty sure I would follow this man anywhere (but hope I don't have to) BI is a favorite of mine too. Good vibe. So in my opinion, you went to the most rocking islands.

 

[TropicalBabies]

We love that quail start laying at 6 weeks, egg hunting each day has been super fun!

Egg hunting?!! Sounds fun!