We had some very rainy days last week but this weeked was just lovely. I let the chickens out today to have a good run around the yard. They actually didn't play as much in the compost pile like they normally do. I was sitting closer to the house so they decided to kick up the leaves right by the side of the house and dig in the dirt of the garden area.
I'm not sure if it is due to the soil there or all the leaves but it seems like there were a ton of worms in there because the chickens had quite a feast. It was actually good for us because they're feet are so good at turning up the dirt. Its so fun to watch them. They just get so into it. You have to be amused by their purposeful digging and scratching.
I had some fun playing with Napoleon in the yard. I was sitting on the ground and he was snuggled up on my lap falling asleep for a while. And actually Gertie came really close by me. She was standing right next to me looking me over. I think she is intrigued by the fact that Napoleon likes to sit on my lap. She has done this a few times. I'm hoping that she will want to jump up on my lap too. I tend to talk to them all them time and sing to them some. They know my voice and by getting them used to me, it will be easier to get close to them if I need to. And they will sort of come when I call them.
It was a good day. They got some sun, ate some seeds and greens and ran around. There's more rain expected this week, so sogginess to follow.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash, spinach, cukes, zuchinni, clementine
Today's Eggs: Just one, but we had two each day for the last two days
Today's Temperament: Warm and full
Showing posts with label daily. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily. Show all posts
Monday, February 4, 2008
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Livin' for the weekend
I think the chickens live for the weekend because that is when they get to free range. This weekend was kind of hectic, but since we've been traveling and have more to do, I wanted to at least give them a few hours out in the yard.
The husband mowed the grass and did some yard stuff, but when he was done we let the chickens out to run around while I cleaned inside the pen and the coop and we raked the leaves off of the top of the screen. It was nice and sunny and warm and the chickens had a great time eating the freshly mown grass. Plus they found where we'd filled up the bird feeders so they ate up the spilled seed.
When the coop was all cleaned up, I pulled out the lawn chair to read a magazine while the gang continued to roam around. Napoleon loves when I sit down because he wants to jump up and sit on my lap. The minute I put the chair down he is running over to me to jump up and be petted.
Lately I've been sort of pushing him gently down so he goes into a sort of broody resting mode and he actually was falling asleep a bit. The girls will roam all over the yard but Napoleon wants to be held on my lap 75% of the time.
He's so small and warm. It's kind of cute.
Of course that lasts only until he pinches me with his beak.
Creepy!
Today's Feed: Egg Mash Pellets and lots of grass and bugs, For Monday they got corn & tomatoes
Today's Eggs: None! Stupid winter!
Today's Temperament: Very very happy. They love the yard.
The husband mowed the grass and did some yard stuff, but when he was done we let the chickens out to run around while I cleaned inside the pen and the coop and we raked the leaves off of the top of the screen. It was nice and sunny and warm and the chickens had a great time eating the freshly mown grass. Plus they found where we'd filled up the bird feeders so they ate up the spilled seed.
When the coop was all cleaned up, I pulled out the lawn chair to read a magazine while the gang continued to roam around. Napoleon loves when I sit down because he wants to jump up and sit on my lap. The minute I put the chair down he is running over to me to jump up and be petted.
Lately I've been sort of pushing him gently down so he goes into a sort of broody resting mode and he actually was falling asleep a bit. The girls will roam all over the yard but Napoleon wants to be held on my lap 75% of the time.
He's so small and warm. It's kind of cute.
Of course that lasts only until he pinches me with his beak.
Creepy!
Today's Feed: Egg Mash Pellets and lots of grass and bugs, For Monday they got corn & tomatoes
Today's Eggs: None! Stupid winter!
Today's Temperament: Very very happy. They love the yard.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Lonely Chickens
Poor chickies. They didn't get to have their free-range day this weekend. And it gets dark so early, I don't think they will get to get out until the weekend. I'll be glad when it's December because I'm taking off for a while and they can get out much more often. Of course that means I'll have to sit outside with them... probably freezing or something.
They seemed okay while we were away. But I worry about them. The new pen fencing and roof reinforcements seems to be functioning well. A lot of leaves have not dropped yet, however. I'm sure we'll have to do a clean off prior to Thanksgiving now that the colder weather seems to have settled in.
The chickies missed out on their fresh food while we were gone too and they were out of the regular egg mash so we went to a pellet format, which I don't like for them as much. But they seem to be doing okay with it.
I think I just want to spend more time with them and I feel bad that I haven't.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash pellets, fresh corn, apples
Today's Eggs: None. They hate me, I know it.
Today's Temperament: Probably wishing they were in the yard
They seemed okay while we were away. But I worry about them. The new pen fencing and roof reinforcements seems to be functioning well. A lot of leaves have not dropped yet, however. I'm sure we'll have to do a clean off prior to Thanksgiving now that the colder weather seems to have settled in.
The chickies missed out on their fresh food while we were gone too and they were out of the regular egg mash so we went to a pellet format, which I don't like for them as much. But they seem to be doing okay with it.
I think I just want to spend more time with them and I feel bad that I haven't.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash pellets, fresh corn, apples
Today's Eggs: None. They hate me, I know it.
Today's Temperament: Probably wishing they were in the yard
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
No-So-Warm Wednesday
It was quite chilly here last night and this morning. I'm sure the chickens were are snuggled in their hay keeping warm.
One of the things we like about the chickens and the main reason for keeping them is, of course, fresh eggs. You really can't beat fresh free-range eggs. Plus, we know the chickens are happier and healthier. They get to fun around, and get fresh veggies, fruit and grass and you can tell in the egg-iness of the eggs.
The husband eats eggs for breakfast about every other day. His favorite breakfast is to cook eggs over-easy on whole wheat bread from the Amish family at the farmer's market. It's soft and delicious.
Recipe is:
Two fresh egg-ies
Fry in pan
Serve over fresh bread to absorb up the vitamin rich, 1000% more flavorful yolk.
Delish!
Today's Feed: Egg Mash, fresh white corn on the cob, apples, tomatoes
Today's Eggs: One
Today's Temperament: Sleepy
One of the things we like about the chickens and the main reason for keeping them is, of course, fresh eggs. You really can't beat fresh free-range eggs. Plus, we know the chickens are happier and healthier. They get to fun around, and get fresh veggies, fruit and grass and you can tell in the egg-iness of the eggs.
The husband eats eggs for breakfast about every other day. His favorite breakfast is to cook eggs over-easy on whole wheat bread from the Amish family at the farmer's market. It's soft and delicious.
Recipe is:
Two fresh egg-ies
Fry in pan
Serve over fresh bread to absorb up the vitamin rich, 1000% more flavorful yolk.
Delish!
Today's Feed: Egg Mash, fresh white corn on the cob, apples, tomatoes
Today's Eggs: One
Today's Temperament: Sleepy
Tuesday Time
Today was a little overcast, so when I got the chickens up and out, I put their feed pan inside the coop so it would stay dry. If I put it out in the pen and it rains, the food turns to an oatmeal-like mush that I would be surprised if they ate. It just seems wasteful and gross. Unfortunately, this always totally confuses the chickens and they act like I've deprived them of their food for the day. Their water is inside, so I know they figure it out eventually, but I kind of feel bad.
Chickens just aren't that bright.
I also felt bad because with the new roof, the door to the coop interior is not held in place and the poor chickens got locked out most of the day. They were already snuggling down outside getting ready to power down for the night. I have to remember to open the small flap cut in the door so they can get in and out, even if the big door closes.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash and 2 apples
Today's Eggs: None
Today's Temperament: Chilly
Chickens just aren't that bright.
I also felt bad because with the new roof, the door to the coop interior is not held in place and the poor chickens got locked out most of the day. They were already snuggling down outside getting ready to power down for the night. I have to remember to open the small flap cut in the door so they can get in and out, even if the big door closes.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash and 2 apples
Today's Eggs: None
Today's Temperament: Chilly
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Monday morning
In spite of the pen roof only being half finished, the chickens, namely Napoleon, stayed in side the pen all day. Napoleon has lately been known for escaping by going over and under the chicken wire surrounding the pen, so I'm very happy he stayed inside.
When we first built the pen outside of the existing coop to give them a place to run around outside, we had not put a roof on. That had to be hastily corrected the next day when Napoleon flew over the 7-foot fence and chased my husband around the yard. Napoleon is not fond of other manly competition around his ladies.
So we had hastily constructed a "roof" by draping more chicken wire over the top. And it sagged, collected leaves and generally looked horrible. Months later we are finally fixing the situation. We've reinforced the fencing and are creating large wood squares is screening material to prevent escapes and potential hawks. Another advantage is that we can lift them up and knock all the leaves that collect there off.
When we get everything completed, I'll have to do a full coop/pen photo overview.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash, fresh white corn (on the cob), chopped fresh apples
Today's Eggs: None - too much running around yesterday.
Today's Temperament: Tired - I woke them up while it was still dark.
When we first built the pen outside of the existing coop to give them a place to run around outside, we had not put a roof on. That had to be hastily corrected the next day when Napoleon flew over the 7-foot fence and chased my husband around the yard. Napoleon is not fond of other manly competition around his ladies.
So we had hastily constructed a "roof" by draping more chicken wire over the top. And it sagged, collected leaves and generally looked horrible. Months later we are finally fixing the situation. We've reinforced the fencing and are creating large wood squares is screening material to prevent escapes and potential hawks. Another advantage is that we can lift them up and knock all the leaves that collect there off.
When we get everything completed, I'll have to do a full coop/pen photo overview.
Today's Feed: Egg Mash, fresh white corn (on the cob), chopped fresh apples
Today's Eggs: None - too much running around yesterday.
Today's Temperament: Tired - I woke them up while it was still dark.
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