What did you do with your flock today?

[Smokerbill]

I took care of some maintenance on the run this morning. I pulled out the pitchfork and turned all the wood chip bedding over in the entire run. I switched out their waterer for a different one, filled with fresh, cool water.

Then I removed the old, worn tree branch roost from the rebar sections pounded into the ground. I figured it was about time. It's been there quite a while and the chickens' feet have grown some, so a bigger branch should be more comfortable for them.

Here are the old and new roosts together. New one is nine feet long.



And here's the new one set up in the run, being tried out for the first time by the girls. That tree moss won't be stuck to the branch very long. LOL. They seem to like the new roost!



More big eggs today. I'm kind of concerned that some of them are so big. One of the pullets was trying to lay an egg, and making some terrible sounding vocal noises. Then she layed her head down, and I had to look close to see if she was still alive. She finally gave up and got out of the box, acting normally walking around. Then she went back to a different box. I'll need to check in a little while to see what, if anything came out.

 

[PopoMyers]

I never met anyone else that takes the time to actually observe ants. For. Way. Too. Long. When i moved down south and was introduced to fire ants for the 1st time, well, thats a whole different type of observing. Its called from a distance!!! research how to get rid of them

I used to observe ants in my childhood, when I had the time to stop and watch, and well, actually be able to sit down on the ground, and get back up.

 

[PopoMyers]

I took care of some maintenance on the run this morning. I pulled out the pitchfork and turned all the wood chip bedding over in the entire run. I switched out their waterer for a different one, filled with fresh, cool water.

Then I removed the old, worn tree branch roost from the rebar sections pounded into the ground. I figured it was about time. It's been there quite a while and the chickens' feet have grown some, so a bigger branch should be more comfortable for them.

Here are the old and new roosts together. New one is nine feet long.

View attachment 3607242View attachment 3607245

And here's the new one set up in the run, being tried out for the first time by the girls. That tree moss won't be stuck to the branch very long. LOL. They seem to like the new roost!

View attachment 3607250View attachment 3607251View attachment 3607252View attachment 3607253View attachment 3607254

More big eggs today. I'm kind of concerned that some of them are so big. One of the pullets was trying to lay an egg, and making some terrible sounding vocal noises. Then she layed her head down, and I had to look close to see if she was still alive. She finally gave up and got out of the box, acting normally walking around. Then she went back to a different box. I'll need to check in a little while to see what, if anything came out.

View attachment 3607258View attachment 3607259View attachment 3607260View attachment 3607261

Can you eat all those at one sitting? Those are jumbo eggs!

 

[PopoMyers]

I never met anyone else that takes the time to actually observe ants. For. Way. Too. Long. When i moved down south and was introduced to fire ants for the 1st time, well, thats a whole different type of observing. Its called from a distance!!! research how to get rid of them

I also met those fire ants in Texas. Can I say it started a war? Resorted to boiling a lot of water and drenching the nest. Worked well.

 

[PopoMyers]

She motivates me to keep fighting for my health and for a place to be reunited with her.

Self care is so important, and so glad you took that hard step to get away, and heal. Your sweet girl loves you, and we hope and pray that you will be reunited soon.

 

[Smokerbill]

Can you eat all those at one sitting? Those are jumbo eggs!

I can eat 5 or 6 of the smaller ones (40-45 grams) in an omelet. The jumbos, maybe two or three. LOL

When I checked the nest boxes again, there was no new egg. I'm a little concerned that the pullet that was straining to lay an egg might be egg bound. They've all been getting extra calcium the last few days (mash in the morning with pulverized oyster shell mixed in), in addition to the layer feed and free choice oyster shells on the side, so I'm pretty sure it's not a problem due to calcium deficiency.

I'm going back out to look for any signs of her being egg bound. I've been reading up on treatments, just in case I need to try to help her.

 

[PopoMyers]

Well, Miss Broodypants was re-arrested this morning and put back in jail. She's got it bad! Squawks at anyone who gets near the cage. It might take another 3 days.
Cut some marigolds for them to try. Seemed like they weren't too keen on them. Dug the rest of the potatoes, and another one had been chewed on. Hopefully they don't like onions.

 

[PopoMyers]

I can eat 5 or 6 of the smaller ones (40-45 grams) in an omelet. The jumbos, maybe two or three. LOL

When I checked the nest boxes again, there was no new egg. I'm a little concerned that the pullet that was straining to lay an egg might be egg bound. They've all been getting extra calcium the last few days (mash in the morning with pulverized oyster shell mixed in), in addition to the layer feed and free choice oyster shells on the side, so I'm pretty sure it's not a problem due to calcium deficiency.

I'm going back out to look for any signs of her being egg bound. I've been reading up on treatments, just in case I need to try to help her.

If she is still straining, then it's a possibility. It's great that you are so attentive.

 

[Smokerbill]

Well, Miss Broodypants was re-arrested this morning and put back in jail. She's got it bad! Squawks at anyone who gets near the cage. It might take another 3 days.
Cut some marigolds for them to try. Seemed like they weren't too keen on them. Dug the rest of the potatoes, and another one had been chewed on. Hopefully they don't like onions.

I tried hand feeding a marigold flower and they weren't interested. A couple pecked off petals, then dropped them. I tore the flower apart onto the run floor. I don't think they wanted it at all.

I might dry some of the marigolds, then crush them up and mix them in mash... just to see if I can "create" some very dark orange yolks for the heck of it.

 

[Smokerbill]

If she is still straining, then it's a possibility. It's great that you are so attentive.

I have rubber gloves, but no recommended lubricant. I guess a little olive oil would be safe to use if I have to, wouldn't it?