What did you do with your flock today?

[PopoMyers]

It's hot today and the kids are drinking water like crazy. I've filled fountains twice already. They will need it again before dark. 5 gallon fountains I thought would last a day. Wrong.

With your huge flock, not surprising. Have you thought of making your water supply auto fill?

 

[Nomadicus]

Didn't know they can go broody that soon! I guess if one is laying, it can happen, but two at the same time! Are you going to let them set, or break them?

I may let them set if I can get them to use another real nest box. The great grandkids would love seeing a hen with chicks. I would too.

 

[Nomadicus]

With your huge flock, not surprising. Have you thought of making your water supply auto fill?

Yes. I'm working on that now. I have to install a pressure regulating valve first. I have the valve but there is a lot of plumbing to add down line with all the coops that need to be supplied. When all is finished I should have around 16 coops to keep water in. Mostly breeders and some meat production birds. I'll have several hundred feet of trenching to do and that takes hard labor. If I don't bury it in the summer the water gets scalding hot. I have to let it run now in the afternoon to cool down before filling a fountain.

 

[PopoMyers]

Aww, thanks everyone for the sweet compliments. The outfit and hat belonged to my DH's step momma. He happened to be there when her kids were cleaning out the house.

 

[PopoMyers]

Love the photo @PopoMyers ! Couple of beauties. You must be exhausted. How did the event turn out and how does your hand feel today for all of the efforts?

Thanks! The event was successful with nearly 120 attending. I was able to direct people more than actually doing hand work, so more my knees and feet were sore from a lot of standing and running around. I was going to work in the garden but a little voice said to stay off my feet at least rest a day. Always have to check on the kids, play with Velma.

I may let them set if I can get them to use another real nest box. The great grandkids would love seeing a hen with chicks. I would too.

I believe you can move the eggs and them? Maybe? I've read that after they've set for a little, then transfer them to the brooding place, even a pet carrier, since she won't poop often, and would only eat/drink to survive. Are the eggs fertile? I've snuck in a couple extra on a broody that was on 4 eggs.

 

[BDutch]

I'm just not sure where you find the time to paint your nails a great mystery to me.
Congratulations on the big beautiful hatches @FBMcrazy8 & @BDutch ! Spring has sprung! @BDutch does this mean you have co broody parents? Lots of juggling @FBMcrazy8 ... lots of juggling ♡ lots learning too. Such a farmer oh what fun!

@kurby22 great job with presentation and sales, lots of thought and effort.
Did you write little bios with photos of parents? Everything was so pretty and cohesive . I bet those around you were thinking they needed to up their game! Well, a little bitter sweet I am sure letting all that hard work and planning go... but great job. What are your takeaways?

Not co parents, but triple parents.
2 Dutch bantams and a cross breed Dutch x Naine de Tournaisis (rare breed). They hatched two nests with each 5-6 eggs. Where trading nests during three weeks and now they decided they all fit in a small size nest box.

 

[PopoMyers]

Velma's first playpen.

Velma and her "buddy". Loving her growing hairdo. She went out to her own run, and I have the tote on it's side, facing a wall, with a half log inside for her to perch on. She's almost 6 weeks old.

 

[PopoMyers]

Not co parents, but triple parents.
2 Dutch bantams and a cross breed Dutch x Naine de Tournaisis (rare breed). They hatched two nests with each 5-6 eggs. Where trading nests during three weeks and now they decided they all fit in a small size nest box.

So glad they get along, and coop-erate with each other. Team parenting!

 

[Smokerbill]

I finished up the coop side wall of the run today, then got the front wall done as well. I might have to order some more hardware cloth. I used 23 feet from my 4 foot wide roll today just for the front wall. I still have one more wall to do, plus the skirting around the base. Money money money.

There are some gaps under the baseboard that I need to fill in. Probably just tack on some boards. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with how my run is coming together. And I only drew blood from the hardware cloth 2 times today, so that wasn't too bad.

 

[FBMcrazy8]

I said it was a boy….but it is a girl! I got a better look at the little one when momma wasn’t so mad at me when I picked her up.