What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

We used to have a wall of "dragon fruit" plants, and I loved seeing the night blooming cerus and the fruit which sometimes followed. Also used to pick them along a school wall in season, this was before they became popular.

So, I'm pretty sure the night blooming cirus is the uncultivated close cousin of the df. My varieties, imagine that ♡ varieties , is the red skin, red fruit. Nice and sweet. My other variety that will not bloom for another year, is the yellow Jamaican (I think) and suppose to be sweeter! I was not much of a fan of the df untill I had the red/red. Stuck the ripe fruit in the fridge and it was as good as ice cream with out the hangover. I'm hoping we get delicious fruit from our red/red dragonfruit. Be a bummer if HD mislabeled it
The yellow fruit plant came for a budding collector

 

[electrycmonk]

Today was yet another bittersweet day with the flock. Had to put “Big Gray” to sleep.

Between last Thursday & Saturday the Roo’s and a couple hens found a sneak thru between the sides of the runs.

Big Gray got attacked in his personal run area because one or both of the other Roo’s got too full of themselves and busted through the wire cloth.

I was outta town and wife & kiddo found “Big Gray hiding with dried blood on his head and both eyes looks pecked at. So on the phone call I learned he was now completely blind.

He was the original lead Roo for the main flock’s 1st 3 years.
Poledark challenged him and took over sometime in year number 4 and 5-6 months later “Big Gray looses an eye” from a tussle in the yard. So I gave him the Batchelor pad for the last 6-7 months I guess.

During this time I finally get around to fully redesigning the inside of the coop.

Butidigress….

Our 20-something numbered flocks have dwindled this year.
Silkies were 7-8 this time last year. Now, 5. Lost two earlier this month to a predator.
Big flock is now 8 from 14-15 this time last year.
The silkie hatchlings from March/April started out as 6. As of last week when the predator got the silkies one of the hatchlings died over night in their crate. So now it’s just the 2 hatchlings. I hope they are both hens.

I have not carefully inspected their saddle feathers but, they both are fanning their tail feather like the big hens do… (shrugs)

The hatchlings are in the lower right nest area of this pic I just took.



So later this week I have to get some
Detailed pics to update the coop’s build thread.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Today was yet another bittersweet day with the flock. Had to put “Big Gray” to sleep.

Between last Thursday & Saturday the Roo’s and a couple hens found a sneak thru between the sides of the runs.

Big Gray got attacked in his personal run area because one or both of the other Roo’s got too full of themselves and busted through the wire cloth.

I was outta town and wife & kiddo found “Big Gray hiding with dried blood on his head and both eyes looks pecked at. So on the phone call I learned he was now completely blind.

He was the original lead Roo for the main flock’s 1st 3 years.
Poledark challenged him and took over sometime in year number 4 and 5-6 months later “Big Gray looses an eye” from a tussle in the yard. So I gave him the Batchelor pad for the last 6-7 months I guess.

During this time I finally get around to fully redesigning the inside of the coop.

Butidigress….

Our 20-something numbered flocks have dwindled this year.
Silkies were 7-8 this time last year. Now, 5. Lost two earlier this month to a predator.
Big flock is now 8 from 14-15 this time last year.
The silkie hatchlings from March/April started out as 6. As of last week when the predator got the silkies one of the hatchlings died over night in their crate. So now it’s just the 2 hatchlings. I hope they are both hens.

I have not carefully inspected their saddle feathers but, they both are fanning their tail feather like the big hens do… (shrugs)

The hatchlings are in the lower right nest area of this pic I just took.

View attachment 3905039

So later this week I have to get some
Detailed pics to update the coop’s build thread.

So sorry to hear about all of your tough losses. Beautiful birds. Too pretty for predators. Sorry about your roo. Bet he was wonderful.

 

[TropicalBabies]

My son went up to the cabin to drop some stuff. He let me know we have chicks...

Handsome Beetle imprinting with the chicks ♡ Beetle does not look to be the daddy... this time.

 

[TropicalBabies]

My handsome boy Cali, Papaya flies out tomorrow. I'm gunna miss him ♡ hope he finds the best people ever. He deserves it ♡♡♡

Window weirdos are next to fly ♡♡♡

These 2, trapped weeks apart, 1/4 mile apart

Think both orphans, no mom in sight. Gotta be siblings, think both from Papaya. Anyways, meet Banana and Lilikoi. ♡♡

 

[PopoMyers]

So, I'm pretty sure the night blooming cirus is the uncultivated close cousin of the df. My varieties, imagine that ♡ varieties , is the red skin, red fruit. Nice and sweet. My other variety that will not bloom for another year, is the yellow Jamaican (I think) and suppose to be sweeter! I was not much of a fan of the df untill I had the red/red. Stuck the ripe fruit in the fridge and it was as good as ice cream with out the hangover. I'm hoping we get delicious fruit from our red/red dragonfruit. Be a bummer if HD mislabeled it
The yellow fruit plant came for a budding collector

Show us your yellow ones when they do produce. Lucky you, it grows so well there. All we have are the ones at the supermarket. Haven't seen the red/red ones. Do share photos!

 

[PopoMyers]

My handsome boy Cali, Papaya flies out tomorrow. I'm gunna miss him ♡ hope he finds the best people ever. He deserves it ♡♡♡View attachment 3905082

View attachment 3905083
Window weirdos are next to fly ♡♡♡

These 2, trapped weeks apart, 1/4 mile apart View attachment 3905084View attachment 3905086View attachment 3905087
Think both orphans, no mom in sight. Gotta be siblings, think both from Papaya. Anyways, meet Banana and Lilikoi. ♡♡

I love their names!

 

[PopoMyers]

Oh, with the dark brown markings on their heads, autosex pullets? More fun in the flock.

My son went up to the cabin to drop some stuff. He let me know we have chicks...View attachment 3905074View attachment 3905076
Handsome Beetle imprinting with the chicks ♡ Beetle does not look to be the daddy... this time.

Today was yet another bittersweet day with the flock. Had to put “Big Gray” to sleep.

Between last Thursday & Saturday the Roo’s and a couple hens found a sneak thru between the sides of the runs.

Big Gray got attacked in his personal run area because one or both of the other Roo’s got too full of themselves and busted through the wire cloth.

I was outta town and wife & kiddo found “Big Gray hiding with dried blood on his head and both eyes looks pecked at. So on the phone call I learned he was now completely blind.

He was the original lead Roo for the main flock’s 1st 3 years.
Poledark challenged him and took over sometime in year number 4 and 5-6 months later “Big Gray looses an eye” from a tussle in the yard. So I gave him the Batchelor pad for the last 6-7 months I guess.

During this time I finally get around to fully redesigning the inside of the coop.

Butidigress….

Our 20-something numbered flocks have dwindled this year.
Silkies were 7-8 this time last year. Now, 5. Lost two earlier this month to a predator.
Big flock is now 8 from 14-15 this time last year.
The silkie hatchlings from March/April started out as 6. As of last week when the predator got the silkies one of the hatchlings died over night in their crate. So now it’s just the 2 hatchlings. I hope they are both hens.

I have not carefully inspected their saddle feathers but, they both are fanning their tail feather like the big hens do… (shrugs)

The hatchlings are in the lower right nest area of this pic I just took.

View attachment 3905039

So later this week I have to get some
Detailed pics to update the coop’s build thread.

So sorry to hear of your losses, especially Big Gray. Your chickens are pretty. The life of a chicken tender is not easy at all. I also went from 15 to 6 back in November. Predators. Weasels are the worst around here.
Looking forward to your coop build thread.

 

[PopoMyers]

Went out to check the tree for roosting girls. They were all inside. They finally got the message that it's not worth getting hosed. Almost every pullet is laying. Just a couple more Dominant coppers to start. They are 21 weeks today, so anytime now.

 

[Shetland lover]

Eesh. What a visual. When I first read that you were busting out clays and resins and paints.., I'm like, I want photos! Now, after 1/2 braincell sparkly poop Pru messed it all up... now, I REALLY wants photos. I don't have enough imagination for all of that. Do keep us posted.

Got a busy day ahead but I'll take some and post later - just don’t critique my 'art' as harshly as Ferdy!