What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

I am just so sad for you. It is so hard not knowing what happened or where she is. I hope she shows back up just as mysteriously as she disappeared.

I love the older hens too, and think they are my favorites. Wordy, Birdie and Gertie were my second little flock back in 2017, so they will be 8 in February. They are beautiful Australorps. Very instrumental in teaching the new cockerel some manners.

What? How can they regulate that? That's the silliest law I ever heard of. Who in the world thought, "Gosh, you know what we need to outlaw? Feeding scraps to chickens instead of the mulch pile. We can't have any privileged chickens around here!" I mean, seriously, that was even a thought in someone's head? SMH

I'm convinced the ex-batts and Gladys were the best teachers for my boys too! They absolutely took no from them and as a result my remaining boy from that era, Ferdy, has an abundance of manners and is such a good boy. His son, Stanley, however, can be a little s.o.b. at times. He hasn't had the same guidance. His dad tried his best but I think the big factor was Gladys totally fell for him as a chick (not hers) and whereas she'd always given the other boys a tough time, she's let him get away with murder! I think she regrets it somewhat now

Seriously, you can't even chop vegetables up in the kitchen for them unless you have a vegan household and can guarantee no animal products.
It's a stupid law and *can* carry a prison sentence if you're caught. It's not enforced for domestic households, because, like you say, how could you regulate it? I think it came about in a knee-jerk response to farmers feeding animal products to cows, sheep and pigs and the resultant issues with BSE etc.

 

[Shetland lover]

Yesterday I set up the see/don't touch outside nursery for the babies. The weather has been so nice, up in the mid-high 70's during the day. They're 2 weeks now so im hoping to get them out for some field trips later this week. Im nervous about the transport part. I have a cat carrier to take them back and forth, but actually gathering them without risking one getting free is going to be tricky. They're terrified of me and make health checks hard enough as it is.

My big girls are getting sweeter by the day. Funny how they used to be flighty and suddenly as they started coming into lay they've gotten almost affectionate. They come right to me and let me pet them. Even my white leghorn who basically became untouchable once I put them in the run comes up to me for pets.

Well...all except my buff orphington. I don't know what her deal is. She's 25/26 weeks old, barely red in the face and will not let me near her. She will peck at my hand if I even try. I had no idea buffs could be so slow to mature. hoping she gets sweeter when she comes into lay (which im beginning to think might be never). I always read they had a reputation for being super friendly. So far mine is not living up to that. Meanwhile my RIR is basically a lap chicken which ive heard is out of character for the breed.

Next up to lay will be my Easter Egger. she's been red in the face for a couple of weeks now. I check twice a day waiting for my colorful egg. im impatient but it also has added so much excitement to my days.

It's so exciting showing the littles the big outdoors! So much for them to see and experience
Penelope bit me constantly as a chick and loved especially to bite my lip, dangling from my face whilst growling. I even had a sign up ".....days since last bite". Then, she went broody at just 17 weeks! She seemed to have a personality transplant as she went from an overly aggressive horror to the sweetest little girl overnight. She's still affectionate but will have the odd sly bite every 6 months or so just to keep me on my toes...
Only Ferdy, Penelope and Stan are lap chickens but all my ex-batts have loved cuddles.
My oldest bird, Gladys, does not like being handled but she is very affectionate in her own way. She likes to pull on your clothes, gently 'goose' you and talks to you constantly as she follows you everywhere.
Chickens have such distinct personalities.

 

[Shetland lover]

My neighbor across the road has a donkey that is quite vocal in the evenings. Actually he has several. Even some that are not weaned yet. I wonder what would happen to me if I were to bring a baby donkey home with me....

Oh! Please do! Then l can actualize my obsessive love of asses through you
Only joking but I do love equines of every kind.

 

[Shetland lover]

Started off the day at 4am with some nice downpours that continued off and on till this afternoon.
Today is the day Hombre's new people decided to pick him up. I guess it was harder than I had hoped because the dad wanted to hang out and impress us with his brilliance . Hombre is a stunning horse and i would have just liked a thank you and goodbye. I found myself in a bad mood. Would have been nice to just rip the bandaid off- so to speak.
The good news is, i know they are good people and the sun came out and we eventually made it home. The chickens were absolutely beautiful munching on wet grass in the yard. Helped set my heart at ease ♡
Also, the thought of no more 2x per day feeds plus pasture fees and ranch politics.
Anywho, just trying to sit with it now... deep sigh, I think...

Big hugs to you.
It's never easy letting part of your family go, no matter if your head is telling you it's the right thing to do. It's still a wrench to the heart.
You know he's gone to a good place though and that will be a balm.

 

[ChicksnMore]

My neighbor across the road has a donkey that is quite vocal in the evenings. Actually he has several. Even some that are not weaned yet. I wonder what would happen to me if I were to bring a baby donkey home with me....

If you're chickens are like mine, they'll think a fresh pile of donkey is a yummy multi purpose treat. Great for bug hunting, eating straight and dust bathing once it's dried a bit.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Started off the day at 4am with some nice downpours that continued off and on till this afternoon.
Today is the day Hombre's new people decided to pick him up. I guess it was harder than I had hoped because the dad wanted to hang out and impress us with his brilliance . Hombre is a stunning horse and i would have just liked a thank you and goodbye. I found myself in a bad mood. Would have been nice to just rip the bandaid off- so to speak.
The good news is, i know they are good people and the sun came out and we eventually made it home. The chickens were absolutely beautiful munching on wet grass in the yard. Helped set my heart at ease ♡
Also, the thought of no more 2x per day feeds plus pasture fees and ranch politics.
Anywho, just trying to sit with it now... deep sigh, I think...

That had to have been hard. I went through that when I gave one of my dogs to our old neighbor and friend. It was my choice but still put me in an awful mood for a bit. Hoping you get the chance to see Hombre again and he's happy, healthy and thriving. Just seeing them well adjusted in their new life helps. Big hugs.... we're all going to miss seeing pictures of that beautiful boy.

 

[ChicksnMore]

I'm convinced the ex-batts and Gladys were the best teachers for my boys too! They absolutely took no from them and as a result my remaining boy from that era, Ferdy, has an abundance of manners and is such a good boy. His son, Stanley, however, can be a little s.o.b. at times. He hasn't had the same guidance. His dad tried his best but I think the big factor was Gladys totally fell for him as a chick (not hers) and whereas she'd always given the other boys a tough time, she's let him get away with murder! I think she regrets it somewhat now

Seriously, you can't even chop vegetables up in the kitchen for them unless you have a vegan household and can guarantee no animal products.
It's a stupid law and *can* carry a prison sentence if you're caught. It's not enforced for domestic households, because, like you say, how could you regulate it? I think it came about in a knee-jerk response to farmers feeding animal products to cows, sheep and pigs and the resultant issues with BSE etc.

That's really a pity. I've read about some of the things they've tried using to feed cows and was a bit shocked. Can't remember most of it, but do remember one was shredded newspapers with vitamins added. If a domestic household tried that it be called abuse.

 

[Nomadicus]

The hooligans are loose and out terrorizing the bug population early today. One of the young roos always wants me to hold the feed can down so he can eat out of the can instead of the feeder. I give him a few peck that way to spoil him a little. Maybe tomorrow I can spend a little time with him and a couple more that follow me around and spoil them really good. I've got bags of scratch ready and waiting for the next frigid nights that will start coming in December for late in the day treats. They get a little more than normal when the temp is dropping below 40°.

 

[Shetland lover]

That's really a pity. I've read about some of the things they've tried using to feed cows and was a bit shocked. Can't remember most of it, but do remember one was shredded newspapers with vitamins added. If a domestic household tried that it be called abuse.

That's abuse however you look at it! I'm shocked at that but, sadly, not really surprised. I read a study once where chicken feed was deliberately contaminated with faeces to measure the effect on consumption!
I believe BSE was linked to feeding sheep brains infected with scrapie. I mean, wtf? Why would anyone think it was suitable food for cattle?

 

[ForFlocksSake]

My 5 gallon bucket waterer has started leaking. Was wondering why they were suddenly drinking so much so fast

I found the source and tried Teflon tape on the nipple. That didn’t work. So I replaced it with a new nipple. Also didn’t work. Lots of effort only to have to make a whole new waterer. I think I must have knocked it into the ground at some point while cleaning it out. I think my drilled hole is just stretched or something. Very annoying but I’ll be more careful from now on.

Thankfully we had another 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot lying around. Drilled some new holes and set it up. It’s a different color than the old bucket so they’re very intrigued

I love how curious chickens are.