What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

Oh no! So sorry for your loss. I did not realize they were so fragile.
How long have you been raising them for? How do you like chickens comparatively?

Thanks, I didn't know they were so set on finding every way possible to die either! I have had quail and chickens since April. I started thinking I wanted something that was lower maintenance and took up less space, because we live in a normal suburban neighborhood...but as soon as I got going, I decided I needed both quail and chickens haha. They were my impulse COVID decision that I am soooo happy I made! I never thought I would really enjoy poultry, but I just love them all.

I love that quail are no nonsense egg layers and super easy to keep as far as space and feed and such. They are also very quiet and unassuming for the most part. I do NOT love that they can be super vicious to each other, and the males are really aggressive when mating! They are also not as "pet-like" which I actually like as a contrast to chickens. I don't get quite as attached and I find them fascinating to watch and keep. I am told that they are a LOT easier to dispatch and prepare than chickens are, if you eat them too. I am on my 4th set of incubated and raised quail and get around 12-15 eggs a day...that is the other nice thing. They grow fast, reproduce fast, and produce eggs at 6 weeks. They don't live as long though and they are far more wild, so even when hand raised some of them can be super high strung about you being around them. I am finally getting some more mellow and people friendly hens thanks to the rehomings I have done for the trouble makers. Chickens give me more back emotionally at this point, still waiting on the egg part! Haha...but I just love the personalities and character of chickens! The investment is much more long term and it's tough cuz they need so many things to keep them safe and happy...but if I were forced to pick one to keep raising it would be chickens. I am very invested in my chicken babies, but I do love quail for the differences they offer!

**Edited to add, quail also don't go broody hardly ever! So you don't really have to worry about unwanted babies or long stints of not laying!

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Honey has a beautiful face !

Thanks! She's been getting a lot better with the chickens. She still eyeballs them pretty hard, but she hasn't pulled the leash (at least not when I'm walking her) to get to them in a while. Yesterday we were able to walk right next to one of them and Honey barely looked at her.

Pretty, pretty, PRETTY pictures as always ♡♡♡! @FrankieD

Been down the mountain since last eve. Last night I introed the last chick to mama. This morning she has 6 babies. Surprise! I could not be happier. Soooo happy... I cleaned out the incubator and fired it up again with 9 BB eggs. One or two eggs may be slightly past their 10 days but... what the heck.
Graduated the cockerels to the main coop last night. Cleaned out the rooster pen, put in new composted horse poop and placed rooster with broken leg (DH's pasture rooster showed up with a broken leg a few months ago and we are helping him mend) and Miss Pi'i and her new brood. She was itching to get out of the brooder and we shall see how this goes. So far she is digging a huge crater. View attachment 2831555View attachment 2831558This is where my apartment coop comes in real handy but alas... gotta wait. DH picked up materials yesterday. Yippee! He said lumber cost has gone down. He only spent $150. And that is w/ 2 sheets of 3/8 ply and 3 boxes of screws. Not bad. I will complain later how he micro manages my budget when I build. Too funny.

K. All stay good and safe and well!

Thank you!
I love your chicks. None of my brahmas were that young when I got them (my first two had already started growing their teen feathers in, and Molly, the only brahma I have right now, was almost fully feathered when I got her). They're so cute! Maybe I can get more brahmas when my current flock thins.
I love this thread, but I hate how often it makes me want chicks.

Repotted and rotated all the run herbs/plants around to be sure there's always some fresh goodies for them to destroy...I mean eat

This looks great! I love all the green. I bet your birds are really happy.

Ahhh I just love Boxers! Honey is beautiful I love all your cute chickens too! Ranie looks a lot like my Charlie, but she has a lovely developed rose comb. Charlie’s comb is a bit weird haha. There’s a little nubb and for a long time looked like that was all she’d have! But it is starting to finally grow a bit, she’s 5.5 months old and I’m hoping she’s nearing egg laying!

I do too! Thanks! Aw, Charlie is adorable! I don't remember when Renie started laying, but I think she was around that age, too.
She turned 3yo at the beginning of the year, so she's had lots of time to grow her comb. XD

#3 forest kittyView attachment 2833226This one I will call Kahili, #2 will be Pu'u. I have another large cage and will get her set up today. She is thrilled to get a easy meal and has taken food from my hand. Pu'u is still very shy but I think Nahele/Forest kitty may be helpful with helping her Nehele is isiting inside after playing outside.View attachment 2833227
With all of my cages getting filled with forest kitties I guess my chooks are going to have to walk home.

Tuff weekend with MIL. We are all exhausted- as it took all of us 100% hands on. Dementia is a tuff illness.

I love your forest kitties!
I'm sorry about your MIL. That's got to be hard.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

I made an updated collage of all of my chickens.

 

[kurby22]

I made an updated collage of all of my chickens.
View attachment 2833314

Oh I love this idea!! I need to do this! You have some lovely chickens! I especially like the one in the hat After being on this site, I have decided that I need a crested Polish chicken someday...they have the BEST hair on their heads! So cute!

I have a French bulldog and she is the naughtiest of all our dogs around the chickens! I'm impressed Honey behaves.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Oh I love this idea!! I need to do this! You have some lovely chickens! I especially like the one in the hat After being on this site, I have decided that I need a crested Polish chicken someday...they have the BEST hair on their heads! So cute!

I have a French bulldog and she is the naughtiest of all our dogs around the chickens! I'm impressed Honey behaves.

Thank you! I'd love to see it if you decide to make one!
Her name is Santa. I thought the hat was very fitting.

 

[kurby22]

Thank you! I'd love to see it if you decide to make one!
Her name is Santa. I thought the hat was very fitting.

I will share when I do! I told my Mom about your collage and she rolled her eyes and said “well since you have more pictures of them than your children, that shouldn’t take too long” To be fair I have a TON of pics of both my kids too hehe.

With a name like Santa she most certainly needs the hat! ;-)

 

[FrankieDoodle]

I will share when I do! I told my Mom about your collage and she rolled her eyes and said “well since you have more pictures of them than your children, that shouldn’t take too long” To be fair I have a TON of pics of both my kids too hehe.

With a name like Santa she most certainly needs the hat! ;-)

I can’t wait!

 

[kurby22]

So I cracked open the giant quail egg, a triple! Poor sweet girl!

 

[ronott1]

So I cracked open the giant quail egg, a triple! Poor sweet girl!

Amazing!

 

[WIchickMama]

I put plastic tops on the nesting boxes (crates) today! No more sifting out poop in the mornings