What did your chickens do today?

[LittleBits]

Today my chickens experienced 2 new things:

First of all, a few days ago, a little black kitten appeared in our yard, maybe about 5-6 weeks old. So once again, we adopt a cat. It's the cutest kitten - friendly, follows me around the yard.

It has now taken up residence out by the chicken coop - which is fine with me - can't have it hanging around the front door trying to get in the house! Well, it was determined to come into the coop/run with me, so I let it in. Chickens just stopped what they were doing and STARED at it. For a long time. Then . . . got a little closer. . . and a little closer . . . then decided the poor kitten must MIGHT be something to eat, I guess, and took a peck or two at it. Poor thing. I intervened pretty quick 'cause they are MUCH bigger than the kitten. They I held the kitten and kind of held it out where the chickens could see it, and they STARED again, kind of like saying, "You mean you are touching that thing?" or "You're not seriously gonna keep it are you when you have US?"

So Kitty-Kat stays out by the coop but outside the gate. Maybe they'll get used to her and she can go into the coop to stay warm this winter. Maybe . . .

Second thing chickens did - I had a little rototiller out in the garden, so when I was done, decided to unpack the dirt a little inside the coop. They DID NOT like the sound of that thing. All 16 of them huddled together on the opposite side while I dug around a little. It was the first time they all gathered together and didn't fuss or peck at each other! It looked pretty funny! Scaredy-cats. Then when I moved the tiller, they went opposite again. But they sure did like the diggin's. Went right to lookin' for treats once I left.

 

[annewandering]

My three EE's, who are 5 weeks old now, finally got out into their coop! They were very excited if a bit puzzled by the whole thing. It has hay in it which they did decide really fast they liked. It is funny because they never would eat any veggies like lettuce.
They are happy. I am happy. My husband is really happy at least one of the brooders are out of the bedroom!

 

[lauranickerson]

Today, I put my rabbit hutch into the chicken run. While I was cleaning out Alice's cage (that can be removed from the hutch, and Alice is the rabbit), I let her play in the run. I only got a video, but she didn't seem to care at all that the chickens were there. She was checking it all out digging, chewing on the logs I have in there, and hopping around. But the chickens? They would cluck, pause, creep towards her, and as soon as she moved a little, they squawked and ran away to the other end of the run. Then they'd start all over again.

Thought it was pretty funny. Even if they did peck her, though, she's big enough and feisty enough to definitely stick up for herself. Haha.

 

[MamaHen23]

They came home today! They are figuring out their brooding box and the pecking order...so to speak. Hope they are happy here!

 

[sn0wwhite]

They just ate, slept, drank and ran around the brooder. I gave them a stick to try roosting, but they just peck at it.

 

[blondie34]

Today five of my biggest trouble makers got into the barn when the door was cracked when I wasn't looking.. they then successfully managed to knock over half a bag of laying feed, crawl inside, and have a feast.. they then preceded to scratch at the pile of spilled food and spread it across the entire barn

 

[AParmer]

We finished the "free run" for our tikes today!! I'm so stinking excited! The only thing we've not done is put the netting up over the top. That comes next weekend. We let the girls and little feathers out to run in it. They LOVED it! All wings clipped. A safe haven during the day time until they're big enough to free range the entire back yard on their own.

Though I'm a little worried about Stevie, my five-month-old Blue Copper Splash Marans rooster. I've just started letting him out of his coop during the day to roam free in the yard. I wanted him to get used to his surrounding and know where his coop was at night. I put him back in his coop myself last night. Tonight I left him to his own to go back in. I went out about 30 minutes ago to make sure everyone was safe and secure, and he made his cute little noise he does when he sees me come around. He was sitting by the old well house, in the dark! I had to pick him up and put him in his coop. I'm a little worried as to why he wouldn't go back where he knows he roosts at night. I should state that he is the only free ranging adult (almost) in the yard at the moment. Could this be the reason he didn't go in himself?



First time directly on the ground outside of the small play pens.




Stevie had to join in and see what his girls were doing. He is housed directly beside the oldest batch of Lorps, he and one girl in particular sit real close to the fence between them and seem to exchange soft love pecks. I think he's sweet on her. hehe


Little feathers dust bathing and hunting for bugs.

 

[AParmer]

Today five of my biggest trouble makers got into the barn when the door was cracked when I wasn't looking.. they then successfully managed to knock over half a bag of laying feed, crawl inside, and have a feast.. they then preceded to scratch at the pile of spilled food and spread it across the entire barn

Oh goodness. They wanted you to see what they were capable of. hehe They're like kids in that way. And smart as well!

 

[blondie34]

Oh goodness. They wanted you to see what they were capable of. hehe They're like kids in that way. And smart as well!

OH YES! They just love getting into places I do not allow them to go into.. they LOVE the barn and garage and all of the fun stuff there is to climb on and poop on -_- silly birds! If the door to the barn isn't shut all the way they know to push on it hard with their faces or bodies (they pretty much just headbutt it until they break in) very smart and curious little creatures

 

[PekinBantam]

I love those pictures! I wish my chicks were affectionate. Even the ones I hatched myself were terrified of me. They all scream and try to hide. Am I really that scarey??

I know how you feel. Out of my 30-something free ranging chickens only 7 are friendly.