What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

Your play brooder is awesome....and you have grass...wow!


So cute. Yeah. I would've wondered the same thing...maternal or predatory And what a sweet ride you have! That'll definitely come in handy when gas prices require a 2nd mortgage just for a trip to the grocery store.

I love that your cats live harmoniously with your chickens. We have two inside cats and they would happily eat a chicken if given the chance. They sit at the windows and cackle. I think in reality, the chickens would kick their @$$es, but the cats at least think they're warriors.

Our winter is our best season imo. We'll, my side of the island anyways. It is the summer we have to suffer through. I know you folks have had a solid winter but not much made it our way this year, we pretty much missed my favorite season. Yesterday my chicks were panting in their brooder from the outside heat.

All of our cats go in and out as they please. Can't keep an indoor and don't want only outdoor though a few only make guest appearances. Our feral chickens are the ones who teach the cats. Every kitten wants to take a stab at getting a brand new chick away from a wild broody and it is a lesson they carry for life. My chickens benefit from that lesson. Though, must admit Forest kitty was the worst and the latest at learning that lesson. Finally my CQ pullets backed him down thank goodness.

Thank you about the play brooder. That thing I made in a pinch when my hen came home with babies and we had next to no scrap lumber on hand. Stores are 1 hour ++ away and ya know. Gotta do what ya gotta do. I'm pretty proud how I used every little piece I could find wisely. My DH replaced a few remnant halves that were wonky with full pcs for me cuz he is sweet and kind. But it remains largely the same and very useful these handful of years.

 

[629864]

Our winter is our best season imo. We'll, my side of the island anyways. It is the summer we have to suffer through. I know you folks have had a solid winter but not much made it our way this year, we pretty much missed my favorite season. Yesterday my chicks were panting in their brooder from the outside heat.

All of our cats go in and out as they please. Can't keep an indoor and don't want only outdoor though a few only make guest appearances. Our feral chickens are the ones who teach the cats. Every kitten wants to take a stab at getting a brand new chick away from a wild broody and it is a lesson they carry for life. My chickens benefit from that lesson. Though, must admit Forest kitty was the worst and the latest at learning that lesson. Finally my CQ pullets backed him down thank goodness.

Thank you about the play brooder. That thing I made in a pinch when my hen came home with babies and we had next to no scrap lumber on hand. Stores are 1 hour ++ away and ya know. Gotta do what ya gotta do. I'm pretty proud how I used every little piece I could find wisely. My DH replaced a few remnant halves that were wonky with full pcs for me cuz he is sweet and kind. But it remains largely the same and very useful these handful of years.

Yeah I would prefer cats that do their business outside, but alas, we have way too many eagles, hawks, and owls (not complaining, very thankful for the raptors because...well...nature..., but the kitties wouldn't stand a chance).

I wish my chickens would teach the dogs a lesson. I'm afraid though (if his run ins with snakes is any measure) that Finn would react with "It's on!"

You built that yourself? Good on ya! Im a little envious. I soooooo wish I could go back in time and choose to learn carpentry instead of the dumb degrees I got.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hey all Good Afternoon !
Sun is out just now 61 degrees out but rain comes back later for a week

 

[TropicalBabies]

Yeah I would prefer cats that do their business outside, but alas, we have way too many eagles, hawks, and owls (not complaining, very thankful for the raptors because...well...nature..., but the kitties wouldn't stand a chance).

I wish my chickens would teach the dogs a lesson. I'm afraid though (if his run ins with snakes is any measure) that Finn would react with "It's on!"

You built that yourself? Good on ya! Im a little envious. I soooooo wish I could go back in time and choose to learn carpentry instead of the dumb degrees I got.

I wish I had started sooner and gotten one of those cool pieces of paper too. But hey, pretty sure the surf was up that day and I thought it was gunna last forever no regrets, I landed well ♡ no cute goats though lol

 

[kurby22]

Happy Saturday all! Love seeing all the pics @TropicalBabies!! Those chicks are adorable and lucky! That fun brooder is awesome! I wish I had something like that.

I can’t believe you’re still getting snow @GoatsandGuineas!! It was sunny and 74 here and I considered sunscreen My son’s little league had Opening Day today so we did a lot of running around. They did the Opening Ceremonies at 8 am, daughter had softball at 10am, team pictures at 10:45, and a game at 2:30! So tired

On the flock front…yesterday I discovered my bird netting needs to be better secured on one side…found Molly like this…hanging out like she’s napping in a hammock—only she was definitely stressed out at being stuck!

I figured she was trying to get to her favorite nest box which is blocked off for Betty and Fuzzy daycare. So I carried her over there and let her join them. So I now have three ladies caring for baby chicks!

The chicks that are inside are doing well! I ALMOST brought home a baby Salmon Faverolle to join them when at the feed store today. It was SO hard to resist those fluffy cheek chicks!! I know the rate of feathering is not fool proof but I have been amazed at the amount of feather growth already! Hoping it means lots of girls I just love them all!

And last but not least…the itty bitty one I was worried about her for a bit, but I’ve seen her eat, drink and poop so I’m hopeful!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Happy Saturday all! Love seeing all the pics @TropicalBabies!! Those chicks are adorable and lucky! That fun brooder is awesome! I wish I had something like that.

I can’t believe you’re still getting snow @GoatsandGuineas!! It was sunny and 74 here and I considered sunscreen My son’s little league had Opening Day today so we did a lot of running around. They did the Opening Ceremonies at 8 am, daughter had softball at 10am, team pictures at 10:45, and a game at 2:30! So tired

On the flock front…yesterday I discovered my bird netting needs to be better secured on one side…found Molly like this…hanging out like she’s napping in a hammock—only she was definitely stressed out at being stuck!
View attachment 3023251
I figured she was trying to get to her favorite nest box which is blocked off for Betty and Fuzzy daycare. So I carried her over there and let her join them. So I now have three ladies caring for baby chicks!

The chicks that are inside are doing well! I ALMOST brought home a baby Salmon Faverolle to join them when at the feed store today. It was SO hard to resist those fluffy cheek chicks!! I know the rate of feathering is not fool proof but I have been amazed at the amount of feather growth already! Hoping it means lots of girls I just love them all!

View attachment 3023252
View attachment 3023253
View attachment 3023254
View attachment 3023255
View attachment 3023256
And last but not least…the itty bitty one I was worried about her for a bit, but I’ve seen her eat, drink and poop so I’m hopeful!
View attachment 3023257

Beautiful chicks ♡♡♡♡ I think you should go back and get the SF.
And sorry... but I laughed at Molly's situation only cuz I knew she was gunna get rescued but what the heck chicken?! They are such funny weirdos ♡♡♡
Good fun opening day! Awesome family and friend fun ♡
Man, I've been sweating over here for the last week. Not happy. Chickens not thrilled either. Had to put sprinklers out again today.

 

[kurby22]

Beautiful chicks ♡♡♡♡ I think you should go back and get the SF.
And sorry... but I laughed at Molly's situation only cuz I knew she was gunna get rescued but what the heck chicken?! They are such funny weirdos ♡♡♡
Good fun opening day! Awesome family and friend fun ♡
Man, I've been sweating over here for the last week. Not happy. Chickens not thrilled either. Had to put sprinklers out again today.

Haha I know! I’m the mom that stops to get the picture and laughs before helping them out of their predicaments! I h could tell she’d gotten all worked up about it so I gave her hugs when I got her untangled it did make me giggle though!

Yeah it’s too early in the year to be sweating outside in my opinion! But I’m gonna do chicken and quail chores tomorrow before we hit 73 tomorrow!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Tell ya time change kicks my butt big time ..
So my Postal bud came over we lost the birds in the little coop I raised for her.
Got my main coop tables scraped ..
Took 2 eggs a blue and a green, to the white silkie that thinks she wants to be broody.

 

[kurby22]

I have a question for you @TropicalBabies! Given your many years of experience hatching brahmas, what is your experience with the rate with which they feather out as chicks? My little bantam cochin/light brahma cross is the only chick without any wing feathers...even the teeny tiny d'Uccles that is probably a fail to thrive although it's sure trying has teeny tiny feathers coming in on her wings. I'm just wondering if they are a slow feathering breed for both genders or if this one is slow because it's a boy? I would be sad if it's a boy, as it is so beautiful and mellow.

Also, the Polish are now 8 days old and it is clear that one of them is going to be a frizzle! And I'm guessing a girl so that is super fun I will post updated pics in a minute

 

[kurby22]

Some pics of the babies! The teeny tiny yellow one is my little FTT chickie I’m hoping makes it. I think I got it’s foot to work better but she cries a lot. :-(