The girls have had three mornings outside in their chick playpen. I keep an eye on them but they seem to be enjoying the outdoor life. Whole new world ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden ) They need to get used to grass, wind, and the sound of other birds. They will be moving into their indoor coop in the barn next week. We have a resident mockingbird, George, who has picked up on the chicks' peeping and now sits at the top of a hackberry tree and peeps like a three-week-old chick. At least he has given up on his car alarm call . . . .
Now that makes listening for your chicks really confusing. my condolences on that. I went to the coop this morning to feed my birds and momma hen and both chicks were not there. as soon as I went in to get the grain there was momma sitting in a nesting box with a newly laid egg, but no chicks... hmmm. I was sure I could hear a peep every now and again, i wasn't sure if I could hear birds or them, but I could not find them anywhere. I finished feeding the girls and threw a little scratch grain out and as soon as momma hen flew the coop... out came the babies from under the coop. All safe and sound. I guess they found a safe nook there under the edge of the coop.
A day in the lives of chicks. This city slicker enjoys hearing about daily life around the farm. Most stories are sterilized and I miss the little details. Thank you for the details. Jerry
Carolyn, I would have had a heart attack! I'm so glad you are more experienced in this farm thing than I. You are a lodestar for me! Jerry, next I'll let you in on the "little details" I clean up in the coop every morning. The hens are in "deep litter" which means a six to eight inch deep bedding material. I have them on grass clippings, which go into the compost pile or directly on the garden when I completely clean out and pressure wash the coop twice a year. If you'd care to join the fun, I'll loan you a pair of high boots!
Pressure washing, I bet the ladies appreciate that. My wife will let me pressure wash the outside of the house, she won't let me do the inside. :-( Grass grass or hay grass? I presume it must be dry. This is where they are suppose to lay their eggs? Where else but GardenStew can city slickers get such great first hand info on chicken life? Jerry
nesting boxes ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) egg on the floor ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) eggs in the box ( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden ) Jerry, they are supposed to lay them in a nesting box if you have one. I cut the plastic off the top of a bale of pine shavings for them and parked it in the corner, to lay in while I was waiting on my box to arrive. As soon as we had it up they hopped in and started laying their eggs in it, the very next day.
Jerry, the clippings are grass grass from the back yard. Anything natural will do for them--wood chips, shavings, hay, etc. and that is on the floor of the coop. Our ladies have four next boxes for six hens. They don't mind sharing. I have sawdust in the nest boxes. You need to get some chickens. They are immensely entertaining!
Thank you for the pictures and info. Can't have chickens, horses, goats, pigs or any farm animal, it was in the deed when we bought the place. Fifty years ago this was a farming community, now there are three farms left. Progress pushes farms and related businesses further into the hinterland. I have not heard a rooster crow in 40 years. I'm surprised there is still an Agway in town. Jerry
Jerry, That's so sad--deed restrictions against livestock. I can understand not wanting a herd of cattle next door if you're in town, but a couple of hens? One reason we moved is that the town we lived in had restrictions on everything--chickens, fence heights, "hardscape" (they were all for asphalt, gravel was a no-no) except loud radios, trashy yards, and letting developers do whatever they wanted. Carolyn and I will keep you posted on chicken life. You can have a vicarious flock!
Jane your chicks are looking well and very perky,..i am still shaking my head over your resident Mocking Bird,..peep peep is fine by me,..but lol,..about the car alarm mimic,..amazing. Carolyn, chicks under the coop,..eggs on the floor,..everything but what is expected,..my ducks wanted to stay out all night if allowed,..where as the hens right on the button of sunset headed inside the shed and up on the perches,..but now and then a hen would decide to sleep outside on her own?,..not a good idea with foxes and mink in the vicinity.
