last night we added the hardware cloth over the window and put the roosts and nest boxes in...
2 1/2 bags of shavings, food and water and 11 young chickens all whent in last night.
oh and we made the ramp too.
i will admit i was a little worried, but i checked on them this morning and everyones Fine! YAY!
so today weve got to finnish the house by shingling the roof, and i think theres more trim to put up, as well as stretch the chainlink for their pen. need another roll of hardware cloth and a roll of flight netting to finnish that off too and tada!
once the runs done they can truly have graduated and become young adult chickens.
bout time lol!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
ive neglected you!
and for that im sorry...
but i lost my cord to connect my camera, so still no pictures.
in good news however, the chicken house...ok so more like a mansion is almost done, just need to add and paint the door, add some latches for extra security and cover the outside of the window in hardware cloth, a few more peices of trim too, and itll be ready for the girls.
it started out planned to be a small 4 x 8 lean to type deal with a sloping roofline to match the existing shed, something simple, quick and easy...untill my dad got hold of it lol.
its now 8 x 8 with a 8-10ft gables roofline, double glazed window, and will be getting a stable door, noone can accuse him of understatment.
it looks very nice though, lots of room for the girls, a plus given the ct winters when they may be spending a little more time indoors, and very secure, once we get the latches in place anything that gets in there deserves a chicken dinner!
It looks nice, painted in brown and yellow in reverse of the house so it all matches nicely, even the inside got a full coat of paint, a high gloss very light grey/green that was on clearance for $5 a gallon, works perfectly should protect the floor and make clean up a little easier.
its certainly impressive :)
the girls are looking more like their adult selves, they still have alot of growing size wise to do, but their feathers are in and the LOOK like chickens, there even slowly starting to cluck rather than cheep!
there eating like pigs at this point, the chick feeder still in with them isnt keping up as well, and were refilling it twice a day, and having to clean out the waterer multiple times daily. there rather messy.
we have a 7lb feeder and 2 1gal waterers to go in, the feed and 1 waterer will go inside, the second waterer will be out in the run.
there also getting a little stinky, as chicks the smell wasnt noticable, but now there bigger, we cant deep litter in the house, it would be too messy so right now they get completly cleaned out once a week and fresh bedding.
the dust is also an issue, if we are ever doing this again i think ill be setting them up in the garage, though it is realy nice to have personalble chickens who run over when they see you, it woudl just mean wed have to take more time to focus on socilization.
the dust of course if from the bedding and feather casings, once they go outside it wont be a problem.
our biggest hens are 6 weeks old yesterday, our smallest 5 weeks, there certainly ready for the "big" (read 5 x 25 run) outdoors.
speaking of runs, i have to start putting that thing together...
in other news we have another new addition.
I was out with a friend last thursday...im just leaving when i hear squeeking comming from a trashcan neer my car. the lid is bungee corded shut so i open it...and there, black as night, a little ball of mewing fur.
a little black kitten. i checked the can for holes, but there wernt any, it seems like someone put her in there and corded the can shut. i couldnt leave her there, had they dumped the nights trash in and not heard her squeeks she would have ended up burried in trash and worse, eventually squished by the garbage truck.
i brought her home on the premis of taking her to the shelter the next day, but upon the next day and calling the shleter find out they want me to pay them to take her, i couldnt afford the $45 they wanted to do their jobs so decided to rehome her myself.
1 failed attempt, 2 no shows and aweek later shes still here.
shes fine with the dogs, infact as i speak shes culed up with them...very sweet and personable, and in relitivly good condition, id say she was about 6 weeks when i found her.
i named her "temporary" because i didnt want to get attatched...but as it turns out, it doesnt matter what you name them lol.
so TEMPI (short for temporary) will be staying here untill a better home comes along...which may be never! I'm more than happy to let her stay and in that case shell become hopefully a mouser and an indoor outdoor cat to help keep the rodents out of the coop...
my parents on the other hand...well...
i guess its a good thing i cant find any mini nubians locally...lol, id be SOOO dead if i brought a goat home!
but i lost my cord to connect my camera, so still no pictures.
in good news however, the chicken house...ok so more like a mansion is almost done, just need to add and paint the door, add some latches for extra security and cover the outside of the window in hardware cloth, a few more peices of trim too, and itll be ready for the girls.
it started out planned to be a small 4 x 8 lean to type deal with a sloping roofline to match the existing shed, something simple, quick and easy...untill my dad got hold of it lol.
its now 8 x 8 with a 8-10ft gables roofline, double glazed window, and will be getting a stable door, noone can accuse him of understatment.
it looks very nice though, lots of room for the girls, a plus given the ct winters when they may be spending a little more time indoors, and very secure, once we get the latches in place anything that gets in there deserves a chicken dinner!
It looks nice, painted in brown and yellow in reverse of the house so it all matches nicely, even the inside got a full coat of paint, a high gloss very light grey/green that was on clearance for $5 a gallon, works perfectly should protect the floor and make clean up a little easier.
its certainly impressive :)
the girls are looking more like their adult selves, they still have alot of growing size wise to do, but their feathers are in and the LOOK like chickens, there even slowly starting to cluck rather than cheep!
there eating like pigs at this point, the chick feeder still in with them isnt keping up as well, and were refilling it twice a day, and having to clean out the waterer multiple times daily. there rather messy.
we have a 7lb feeder and 2 1gal waterers to go in, the feed and 1 waterer will go inside, the second waterer will be out in the run.
there also getting a little stinky, as chicks the smell wasnt noticable, but now there bigger, we cant deep litter in the house, it would be too messy so right now they get completly cleaned out once a week and fresh bedding.
the dust is also an issue, if we are ever doing this again i think ill be setting them up in the garage, though it is realy nice to have personalble chickens who run over when they see you, it woudl just mean wed have to take more time to focus on socilization.
the dust of course if from the bedding and feather casings, once they go outside it wont be a problem.
our biggest hens are 6 weeks old yesterday, our smallest 5 weeks, there certainly ready for the "big" (read 5 x 25 run) outdoors.
speaking of runs, i have to start putting that thing together...
in other news we have another new addition.
I was out with a friend last thursday...im just leaving when i hear squeeking comming from a trashcan neer my car. the lid is bungee corded shut so i open it...and there, black as night, a little ball of mewing fur.
a little black kitten. i checked the can for holes, but there wernt any, it seems like someone put her in there and corded the can shut. i couldnt leave her there, had they dumped the nights trash in and not heard her squeeks she would have ended up burried in trash and worse, eventually squished by the garbage truck.
i brought her home on the premis of taking her to the shelter the next day, but upon the next day and calling the shleter find out they want me to pay them to take her, i couldnt afford the $45 they wanted to do their jobs so decided to rehome her myself.
1 failed attempt, 2 no shows and aweek later shes still here.
shes fine with the dogs, infact as i speak shes culed up with them...very sweet and personable, and in relitivly good condition, id say she was about 6 weeks when i found her.
i named her "temporary" because i didnt want to get attatched...but as it turns out, it doesnt matter what you name them lol.
so TEMPI (short for temporary) will be staying here untill a better home comes along...which may be never! I'm more than happy to let her stay and in that case shell become hopefully a mouser and an indoor outdoor cat to help keep the rodents out of the coop...
my parents on the other hand...well...
i guess its a good thing i cant find any mini nubians locally...lol, id be SOOO dead if i brought a goat home!
Monday, April 26, 2010
i know i know
i owe you guys pictures.
i swear im trying to get them! honest!
there so fast at this age and all over the place, but theyve all grown so much, the older ones look like chickens now and the younger ones are not far behind them.
Unfortunatly i think sammy bird might be a roo, im not sure yet but if thats the case "she" will be looking for a new home as soon as its confirmed, i hope not, i like the australorps :(
its hard to belive the little ones will be 3 weeks old on wednesday, and the bigger ones a month on weds already!
the coop and run are under construction as theyll be ready to go outside soon.
for now though they enjoy digging through the shavings in the pen, eating anything orange, and generally making a mess...
its funny to watch them running around and chest bopping eachother in a show of hierarchy lol.
im hoping by the end of this week to be going to pick up 2 goslings too, but im not yet sure if we want back yard mixes or if we should just say screw it and order from purely! they have the buffs and romans!
in other "farming" news, lowes has (ending today) a sale on all 5" bonnie veggies and herbs, yesterday i picked up 2 "bit bertha" peppers which supposedly are awesome bell peppers, and 6 tomatoe plants of 5 different verieties. well be saving the seeds from the fruits for next years planting, im hoping by then ill have the shed cleaned up and sorted out to use some of that space as a greenhouse/for seed starting.
we also planted the 2 blueberries and 2 raspberries which seem to have taken, and the 2 grape vines that i moved also seem to be doing well. im realy hoping for some fruit from those grapes soon, there a few years old already but never realy flourished where they were.
so thats all for now.
today im going out to scour the nurseries to see whats out there for the flower beds, i did pick up a sorbet peony and an artemisia for the flower beds but need more :)
my grandparents are supposed to be comming out this summer and i want the garen looking spectacular!
i swear im trying to get them! honest!
there so fast at this age and all over the place, but theyve all grown so much, the older ones look like chickens now and the younger ones are not far behind them.
Unfortunatly i think sammy bird might be a roo, im not sure yet but if thats the case "she" will be looking for a new home as soon as its confirmed, i hope not, i like the australorps :(
its hard to belive the little ones will be 3 weeks old on wednesday, and the bigger ones a month on weds already!
the coop and run are under construction as theyll be ready to go outside soon.
for now though they enjoy digging through the shavings in the pen, eating anything orange, and generally making a mess...
its funny to watch them running around and chest bopping eachother in a show of hierarchy lol.
im hoping by the end of this week to be going to pick up 2 goslings too, but im not yet sure if we want back yard mixes or if we should just say screw it and order from purely! they have the buffs and romans!
in other "farming" news, lowes has (ending today) a sale on all 5" bonnie veggies and herbs, yesterday i picked up 2 "bit bertha" peppers which supposedly are awesome bell peppers, and 6 tomatoe plants of 5 different verieties. well be saving the seeds from the fruits for next years planting, im hoping by then ill have the shed cleaned up and sorted out to use some of that space as a greenhouse/for seed starting.
we also planted the 2 blueberries and 2 raspberries which seem to have taken, and the 2 grape vines that i moved also seem to be doing well. im realy hoping for some fruit from those grapes soon, there a few years old already but never realy flourished where they were.
so thats all for now.
today im going out to scour the nurseries to see whats out there for the flower beds, i did pick up a sorbet peony and an artemisia for the flower beds but need more :)
my grandparents are supposed to be comming out this summer and i want the garen looking spectacular!
Friday, April 16, 2010
a big move!
well the chickies are getting bigger...
and well..more active!
milly has been practicing her "flying" and hopping up on the feed/water-er and quite frankly, its not working in the brooder box.
so today i set up the playpen upstairs
i dont have a secure top for it, so im going to see if i can use the 2 spare baby gates to make some kind of kitty proof top, and if so they will be moved in fully...
if not however they will spend their nights in the smaller brooder and their days in the playpen in the center of family activity. Im also hoping this move will increase thier confidence and make them a little less jumpy.
there sooo cute in their new playpen, ive given them a 2 x 4 on the floor as a starter roost, as they get a little better at roosting ill move it a few inches off the ground, the little ones are still happy on the ground, but the bigger girls seem to be enjoying the roost.
Digging is the new pastime lol, they seem to LOVE digging through the shavings, mabe there just searching for the newspaper underneath, gotta have something to read lol.
the older girls are in their dinosaur/scruffy stage and simply look funny, there also flapping hopping at and chasing each other, obviously establishing hierachy.
the little ones are joining in the games too, running and flapping as if the extra propulsion will get them some lift there sooo silly!
new pictures comming soon :)
and well..more active!
milly has been practicing her "flying" and hopping up on the feed/water-er and quite frankly, its not working in the brooder box.
so today i set up the playpen upstairs
i dont have a secure top for it, so im going to see if i can use the 2 spare baby gates to make some kind of kitty proof top, and if so they will be moved in fully...
if not however they will spend their nights in the smaller brooder and their days in the playpen in the center of family activity. Im also hoping this move will increase thier confidence and make them a little less jumpy.
there sooo cute in their new playpen, ive given them a 2 x 4 on the floor as a starter roost, as they get a little better at roosting ill move it a few inches off the ground, the little ones are still happy on the ground, but the bigger girls seem to be enjoying the roost.
Digging is the new pastime lol, they seem to LOVE digging through the shavings, mabe there just searching for the newspaper underneath, gotta have something to read lol.
the older girls are in their dinosaur/scruffy stage and simply look funny, there also flapping hopping at and chasing each other, obviously establishing hierachy.
the little ones are joining in the games too, running and flapping as if the extra propulsion will get them some lift there sooo silly!
new pictures comming soon :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
so there a week old
yup the new gals are a week old today, the "old" gals are 2 weeks, its pretty amazing to see the difference. Pictures later, i promise!
the 2 week olds are beginning to enter the dinosaur stage...that stage where they have some feathers and thier fluff is loosing its fluffiness so they look like some strange creatures from a time gone by...
there getting active now too, milly particularly has taken to hopping onto of the feeder and from there she was hopping right out of the brooder...
quick fix on that one i might add, the walls are now about 12" higher...though it wont hold them for long lol.
the 1 week olds are getting their wing feathers in quickly too, there active and a little crazy, i need to start spending more time with each of them individually again...
this week has been so hectic pet sitting for my frined though...im hoping i havent missed crutial bonding stages!
yes you can bond with chickens!!!
im thinking today im going to have to rig up the playpen instead of the box, the bigger ones realy need a roost now and im sure a little extra room woundt be a bad thing for them, just have to figure out rigging for the light.
id love to move them to the main living area now there a little bigger, just so they get more used to people comming and going, but im not sure if i can rig up a strong enough roof for the playpen to keep the cat out, who would either go 1 of 2 ways...eat them, or run away from them.
theres no real way to rig the lamp up upstairs either without moving a bunch of stuff and blocking a path way so id need to get creative there too...would be better for them to be in the center of the action though...
ill have to see what i can rig up with chicken wire and timber scraps to make the playpen kitty proof and go from there i think...
tomorrow 3 of the new girls go to their new homes, 2 silverlaced and nugget the golden, weve decided to keep 2 of the easter eggers instead of 1 ee and the gold laced...its ok though because there going to a good home :)
and while 3 less may not seem like alot, thats more space for the remainders in the brooder :)
have i mentioned they are PIGGIES, i swear ive never seen such tiny things eat so much. im refilling the chick feeder twice daily now! and messy...lol. they keep kicking shavings into their water no matter how many times i scoop it all out and no matter what tricks ive tried to keep them out lol.
all in all though they are adorable!
the 2 week olds are beginning to enter the dinosaur stage...that stage where they have some feathers and thier fluff is loosing its fluffiness so they look like some strange creatures from a time gone by...
there getting active now too, milly particularly has taken to hopping onto of the feeder and from there she was hopping right out of the brooder...
quick fix on that one i might add, the walls are now about 12" higher...though it wont hold them for long lol.
the 1 week olds are getting their wing feathers in quickly too, there active and a little crazy, i need to start spending more time with each of them individually again...
this week has been so hectic pet sitting for my frined though...im hoping i havent missed crutial bonding stages!
yes you can bond with chickens!!!
im thinking today im going to have to rig up the playpen instead of the box, the bigger ones realy need a roost now and im sure a little extra room woundt be a bad thing for them, just have to figure out rigging for the light.
id love to move them to the main living area now there a little bigger, just so they get more used to people comming and going, but im not sure if i can rig up a strong enough roof for the playpen to keep the cat out, who would either go 1 of 2 ways...eat them, or run away from them.
theres no real way to rig the lamp up upstairs either without moving a bunch of stuff and blocking a path way so id need to get creative there too...would be better for them to be in the center of the action though...
ill have to see what i can rig up with chicken wire and timber scraps to make the playpen kitty proof and go from there i think...
tomorrow 3 of the new girls go to their new homes, 2 silverlaced and nugget the golden, weve decided to keep 2 of the easter eggers instead of 1 ee and the gold laced...its ok though because there going to a good home :)
and while 3 less may not seem like alot, thats more space for the remainders in the brooder :)
have i mentioned they are PIGGIES, i swear ive never seen such tiny things eat so much. im refilling the chick feeder twice daily now! and messy...lol. they keep kicking shavings into their water no matter how many times i scoop it all out and no matter what tricks ive tried to keep them out lol.
all in all though they are adorable!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
*giggle*, the first treats!
So i gave the cluck clucks some grit to try out...
theyve done well so this morning i tried a cracker...they were terrified of it lol, so i left it in there and finally ronny decided to try it...
a little while later i whent down and it was gone...so i figured what the heck...crumbled up another couple of crackers and put it in there...
OMG ive never seen such a responce, it was like a swarm...or vultures...or a swarm of vultures, 14 baby chickens rushed the treat plate and within seconds 3 crackers were GONE!
chickens are scary :P
theyve done well so this morning i tried a cracker...they were terrified of it lol, so i left it in there and finally ronny decided to try it...
a little while later i whent down and it was gone...so i figured what the heck...crumbled up another couple of crackers and put it in there...
OMG ive never seen such a responce, it was like a swarm...or vultures...or a swarm of vultures, 14 baby chickens rushed the treat plate and within seconds 3 crackers were GONE!
chickens are scary :P
Saturday, April 10, 2010
meet the New Chicks!
Little Gertrude, The Partridge rock. Shes the smallest of the group now...her "twin" passed away, so this little one will be staying for certain.
Nugget, The Golden Laced Wyandotte...We wernt orrigionally going to keep this little girl but the wyandottes are awesome eggers and since we lost the little buf brahma we were going to keep this little girl will be staying.
Nugget will be so named because ive named them all chicken nuggets lol, that led to my dad saying we should name one chicken nugget...and so...NUGGET...what, shes a GOLD laced wyandotte afterall! lol
Silver Laced 1, currently known as "Love-Lace" because she reminds me of a rock hopper penguin lol like in happy feet!were not sure which of these 3 will be staying, but 1 will be, the other 2 are claimed.
Silver Laced 2
Silver Laced 2Cute little girl with nice facial patterning
Easter egger #3, aka "sleepy head" (she falls asleep whenever you pick her up lol.)
Myrtle, the Dark Brahma. Unfortunatly her buff "sister" also didnt make it, but this little girl is one tough cookie, shes almost as small as gertrude and look at her UGGS lol. but she always walks tall and can typically be found making sure they all know shes tough lol
Silver Laced 3, the fluffiest of the silvers :)
Easter Egger 1 AKA "super bird" (for the super man shaped emblem on her head lol)
shes a very cute little easter egger with a lovely fluffy face. i think shes going to be a red...
not sure which of these 3 are staying either!
Easter Egger #2, shes a little redder in down than #1, very cute
Easter egger #3, aka "sleepy head" (she falls asleep whenever you pick her up lol.)Shes much darker than the other 2 girls and lacks the distinctive "chipmonk" styling.
totally confused as to what color this little one will be.
Myrtle, the Dark Brahma. Unfortunatly her buff "sister" also didnt make it, but this little girl is one tough cookie, shes almost as small as gertrude and look at her UGGS lol. but she always walks tall and can typically be found making sure they all know shes tough lolMyrtle will be staying!
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