Wing It Ranch

[Auntiejessi3]

Chicks haven't really figured out the new roost bars. They're just hanging out on the poop board in the sand...
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They're waiting for the bosses to come and tell them where they can be

 

[WingItRanch]

They're waiting for the bosses to come and tell them where they can be

Oh man no kidding! I think they like it there because the big bad hens can't get to them there!

My "special" hen has been absolutely terrorizing them. She's always been lowest in the pecking order and she's really going after the chicks to make sure she doesn't lose her place.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

How is your head doing?

 

[WingItRanch]

How is your head doing?

Aw thanks for asking! Not bad. I get my stitches out tomorrow. I think if I take care, I might be able to minimize the scarring. Unfortunately it's right between my eyebrows so very obvious.

 

[ChaosMom]

Aw thanks for asking! Not bad. I get my stitches out tomorrow. I think if I take care, I might be able to minimize the scarring. Unfortunately it's right between my eyebrows so very obvious.

- but wear it with pride!

BYC should make “chicken-related injury requiring stitches” as a new trophy level.

 

[WingItRanch]

- but wear it with pride!

BYC should make “chicken-related injury requiring stitches” as a new trophy level.

I don't know if I want a medal for my clumsiness

 

[WingItRanch]

Look at my brave girls! They look like a bunch of teenagers complaining about the older generation.

 

[WingItRanch]

I feel like the projects are never done... I was so happy to finish the little coop/run for a grow-out pen/chicken hospital. Then I was so happy to finish the run extension with outdoor roost bars.

Next is finishing up my rain water collection system to feed horizontal nipple waterer into the coop.

But I also have an idea... right now I have 4 nest boxes. Which was perfect for 10 hens! ... but not 18 once these pullets start laying. I called up the guy who built my coop (the one thing I didn't DIY) and I think I'm going to have him put an identical nesting boxes (3) here:

Bonus is the funny image of one of my Barred Rocks running towards me thinking I'm a treat dispenser.

 

[WingItRanch]

It appears the pullets are messing around in the nest boxes after the hens lay their eggs. I worry about them cracking them before I can collect. I keep finding the eggs buried and I've seen one of the pullets messing around in the box.

They're only 11 weeks old so no where near POL.

Any advice on how to prevent the pullets from playing in the nest boxes without blocking them off so the hens can still access?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

It appears the pullets are messing around in the nest boxes after the hens lay their eggs. I worry about them cracking them before I can collect. I keep finding the eggs buried and I've seen one of the pullets messing around in the box.

They're only 11 weeks old so no where near POL.

Any advice on how to prevent the pullets from playing in the nest boxes without blocking them off so the hens can still access?

They are going to explore, there is no preventing it unless you lock them back out of that area unfortunately. I had to constantly fix the nest boxes with my last batch of pullets, they were pulling the hay out on a daily basis But on the bright side, since they are 11 weeks you could start seeing some new eggs in another 5ish weeks from some of them. Kids will be kids