What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

After fresh feed and water I hung 3 more large galvanized feeders that hold 30lbs each. I don't worry now about being out with them so I an enjoy playing with Rocky a little more. Rocky is a large adult White Rock rooster that sees me as his body guard and also the big rooster with the feed and treats. Usually he gets a fresh slice of bread now about 4-5 mornings a week. Today was one of them. I so wish my wife could be outside and take some pictures of us. Rocky rode with me on the John Deere garden tractor while getting to the first coop stop. There he finished his treat and finally chose to get down and start hunting tender grass. He perched on the steering wheel and ate as we drove. Rocky is a rooster that I took in to rehome because he was trying to flog his former owner. He has been reconditioned and never tries that with any of us.

That's really sweet!

 

[ChicksnMore]

Oh no, I'm so sorry you had to go through that and make that decision. I have only dealt one time with wet pox and it sure is brutal and depressing. We haven't had as bad of an issue with mosquitoes this year thankfully, but OMG the flies!!! SOOO many flies. I am hopeful that you are right that you only have the one baby that got it and the rest are just fine!

I have been feeling super sad...when we were all down with COVID and couldn't check on the birds as often, I lost two of my perpetual broody hens that clearly overheated and didn't leave their nests enough. One of them was Goldie my Salmon Faverolle, and one of them was my sweet, sweet dedicated silkie Fuzzbert. I've had her since I first started chickens and I was just devastated when I found her. It's just so tough when they are so broody, every day is over 100, they started molting, and won't break and get out of their coops enough! We just couldn't manage with everyone down and sick. I literally didn't leave my bed for two days straight. Despite misters, and water, and shade, and electrolytes...if they won't care for themselves so much is on you to keep them alive! I just brought in Big Momma for two days inside because she's been broody and lost weight and her comb was paler than normal. She got a bunch of vitamins mixed in with eggs and egg shells, AC for a couple days, and some harassment from Aria (hugs and forced love) and she is back outside now looking much better. Orpingtons are much easier to break than silkies in my experience! They at least take some time off before going broody again...every time I tried breaking Fuzzy she just went right back. Blah.

@TropicalBabies I'm so sorry you have to consider thinning the flock! I cannot imagine you having to let go of Spider!! I hope you are able to find a way to keep him!

Aww...I'm so sorry you had to go through all that and lost a couple special ladies too. I know what you mean on hot weather broodies. My dwarfs are like that too. Built ventilation into the nests, but it's still running up to 115 in the shade...just not a good time to brood period. So glad Big Momma's still with you though! You really had your plate full with your whole house going through COVID for the first time!

 

[ChicksnMore]

You guys…why??

Wonder if there's a urine spray good to ward off foxes? That'd make me nervous as all get out!

 

[ChicksnMore]

I'm so sorry Kurby, you must be heart broken... and even guilt ridden with loss. Those are big hits but we know you do all you can and much, much more than most all.
When you are that sick, all you can be is sick. I'm glad things did not get worse for you and family and glad you are on the upswing. Take it easy still ♡♡♡ be good to yourselves.

Ya... Spider. He really favors the lights, they are his girls and I think it may be more cruel to separate him from them than it would be to part with me... We have lots of good chicken people with beautiful spots. IF I part with him, it will be one of them. IDK, I have had this thought for the last year and not acted so I expect I will chicken out. Maybe if figure something else out.... ♡

Ya know, with only 10 chickens down the hill... the flies are not bad .

These work pretty good for me. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRSQ2QU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hope the blinking heat breaks soon for us all.
Us todayView attachment 3622594
Us yesterday ♡View attachment 3622603
Starting to smile ♡

Yay for smiles

 

[ChicksnMore]

I just got four from Amazon, at not a bad price, and they're pretty hefty, too.

I don't think that a gust of wind would shift the hoop coop, it's aerodynamic, but I felt it was a worthwhile preventative measure to install the anchors in the four corners.

I use t-posts as anchors. Think they work great. Cheap and available locally. Gotta say your anchors look great and so discreet! Much less obvious then t-posts!

 

[Nomadicus]

I use t-posts as anchors. Think they work great. Cheap and available locally. Gotta say your anchors look great and so discreet! Much less obvious then t-posts!

I've got T posts and don't care about looks. I used them on the first two hoop coops.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Long day and I'm beat. Was a good day though. Friend had some pullets and cockerels she wanted to re-home so I went and picked them up from her, then dropped them off at the house of the fellow who brought me Mojo. He was delighted. Some really really nice birds. Super sweet, calm and tame. It was so tempting to keep some just because they've been well loved so they're extra fun. But...I behaved.

 

[JennyLynnLuv]

One of my pullets FINALLY laid her first egg! And I have a chick that has taken to flying to my head cute now.. but when she's full grown this could be a problem I think she likes me a little LOL

 

[kurby22]

Wonder if there's a urine spray good to ward off foxes? That'd make me nervous as all get out!

Yeah I’m gonna get some I think! He needs to find a new ‘hood!

 

[Shetland lover]

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses Kurby and Chicksnmore. It's the worst when you are so helpless and really can do nothing to change the situation. Even though you know logically that you couldn't do anything different, your heart aches with guilt even so.

Tropical Babies, I can't imagine how tough it must be to thin a flock you've loved and cared for. I'm not sure I could do it, it was hard enough re-homing my two beloved Swedish Flower boys. I'm so thankful I have DH to control my worst chicken math impulses.

And now a sodding fox sniffing around, Kurby!
We have a fox comes over occasionally but the big coop is behind aluminium framed weld mesh, under an acrylic panel roof and stood on a concrete base. Not even the rats have penetrated that yet! Penelope and Ferdy's small coop is outside but it's double walled and stuffed with rubber sound insulation. The only weak spot is the door but that's been re-inforced and now has two locks to stop Ferdy opening it from the inside.
Foxes are our top chicken predator over here and seem to take most chickens at dawn and dusk, so we're advised to be extra vigilant at those times of the day. A lot of people use solar-powered electric fencing to keep them out. Might be worth looking at setting up a perimeter of it round vulnerable coops?
I've heard some people use human urine to deter them with some success? Not sure if it would work in an urban area as surely the fox would be used to human scents? Might work in more rural areas though.