Chickens, still.

We started our journey with chickens and a garden.  We still have both.  The chicken flock is smaller now tho.  We found that we don't use a lot of eggs and we do not have the desire to process our own birds for food.  We can if we have to but we'd just as soon not.

13 May 2014 - Eggs already?

Two of the Chicklets.  Still so small.

Maroochy has been pacing the fence of the pen for a couple of days.  I mentioned to MM that I think she's ready to go back with the other ladies.  But, I needed her to teach the Chicklets how to roost.  So, this evening as I assisted them all to the roost (which went wonderfully), I found two eggs. :)  She's laying again.  Apparently, she's been pacing because she wanted to get to a nest box.  I'll provide her one tomorrow and leave her with the Chicklets for a few more days.  They are just four weeks old so I'm not quite ready to separate them.

Maroochy and the Chicklets

Looky here, looky here...

Right here is something good.  :)

See that, it's yummy! 

Maroochy and the Chicklets have moved to a new location.  They are now where they can explore the grass, find some dirt to bathe in, and learn more about how to survive.  Mama is doing a good job of teaching them about the yummy things to eat.  (I'm helping by putting treats in with their food.)  They are so fun to watch.  Maroochy makes some interesting sounds when she's talking with the Chicklets.  The Chicklets are now two weeks old and are starting to feather in nicely.  Mama still keeps them warm when the wind blows a bit chilly and I put them back inside at night.  However, that will be ending soon as the weather warms up nicely.  It won't be long and they'll be roosting in the small house and then, suddenly it will be time for mama to wean them.  Amazing.

18 April 2014 - Chickens

Late yesterday evening, we took Maroochy's eggs and gave her three little fluffy butts. She accepted them and has been busy ever since keeping them warm, talking to them, and just generally showing them how to be good chickens. Sorry, y'all have to wait till tomorrow to get pics. 

17 April 2014 - Farm Report

It's overcast and gray on the farm this morning.  Fits my mood pretty good.  Unfortunately, none of the chicks have hatched and the one heard peeping is silent.  Maroochy, the mama hen, is still very protective of the eggs but I think I'm going to have to take them from her.  If the farm store has some day or two-day old chicks, I can probably get a few for her to raise and slip them to her tonight.  She's been a faithful setter.

16 April 2014 - Farm Report

YES! We hear baby peeps this morning. Doesn't look like anyone has broken out of a shell and we can't see anything under momma's wings yet but we can hear the faint peeps. Yay! Can't wait to meet the new chickies. It's a windy day but I'm gonna get to planting because there's a chance of rain tomorrow. Have a good day, y'all!

Varmints on the loose! Oh, wait, that's...

Varmints on the loose!  Oh, wait, that's my chickens.

 I took a little trip into the little town today and upon my return as I was attempting to unlock the door, I saw something waving at the corner of the workshop.  Huh?  There it was again.  It's dark colored.  Where'd it go?  Then hen #2 poked her head around the side of the building and my brain goes... "Oh, it's just a chicken."  What?  Yup my Speckled Sussex girls have decided that free-ranging is for them.  After spying #2 on the west side of the run, I noticed that someone was in the garden.  Tootsie (#1) was having a grand time over there on the east side with a couple of the black Australourpe girls.  They are fed in the run, their water is in the run, the roosters are in the run.  Oh, never-mind.