Everyone Wins

Beautiful day on Saturday means that we are out in the yard starting the big clean up for spring.

Squirrels come from everywhere because when we rake we pull up lots of acorns.  We are doing half of their work for them.

They love a clean pen...and so do we!

I found the little bells that the boys wore when they were little.  Had to save them.

And one egg coming up...laid in the goat bed.

And maybe the girls need a little sweet feed treat.

And talk about worms...tons of them everywhere.

Scratch away girls...making some good compost.

Just Another Rainy Day

 

Sometimes it is just best to sit under the Japanese maple.

Or maybe, hide in the Soloman's seal.

Only to come out when it stops raining.

Pappy's Girls are beginning to explore the yard.

Someone is beginning to look very sharp.

I think they finally discovered the compost bins and all the wonderful fat,  juicy worms that live there.

Under the metal chairs trying to stay out of the rain.

After the storm, the Big and Little Girls try to dry out on the chicken watching chairs.

Pappy's Girls decide the fence is the place for them.

Denise, AKA Grammy, came during the rain to help feed The Boys.  She is getting good at this...double feeder tonight.

That Darn Old Summer Heat

I noticed the girls with the smaller combs walking around with their mouths open.  Maybe even panting.  I immediately went to my chicken library to do a little research.  Here is what I found...

1. Chickens do much better in cooler weather that hotter weather.
2. They don't have sweat glands.
3. They use their combs and waddles to release body heat.
4. Chickens will drink two to four times more water in the summer.
5. Water should be around 55 degrees.
6. Adding ice cubes to frozen water bottles to their drinking water is a good idea.
7. Provide deep tubs of water for them to stand in and for them to dunk their heads in.
8. Give them homemade electrolytes.



So I whipped up a little treat for them...

 

Some really cold watermelon rinds, nasturtiums, lemon balm, and mint

They weren't too sure at first.

Keithetta Renetta lead the way showing everyone else that it was okay to eat.

She was such a pig.  But you will notice she is one of those birds with a small comb.

 

I guess I'm adding to more water bottles to the freezer.  Already have frozen bottle for the rabbits to rub us against.  And the search is on for a small hard sided ghetto pool for the girls to soak in.

Alaire Finds A New Way To Feed The Girls

"Hey Wammy, look at the new feeder!"

 

I think they just might like it

Doing A Little Research

I got a message from one of the 'kids' that was in the youth group at Mt Washington Baptist when I was there.  Haven't seen her for years.  We have found each other on Facebook.  She is married now with two boys.  Gosh I am getting so old!  They are thinking seriously about getting a few feathered friends.

 

I'm thinking that they might have a little trouble with this one wanting to play with them all the time.

Josh had lots of questions and Mark and I had lots of answers.  I loved it that Josh had a paper and pencil so he could take notes.

Mark and I made sure that they rabbits had their nails clipped before they were out in the sun.  I finally got around to putting a piece of chicken wire between the two of them.  I do this because I don't think I need any little bunnies right now.

A little carrot treat for everyone.

Sitting pretty.

Does this cage make my butt look big.

Someone is trying to chew through to get to that greener grass on the other side.

Rethinking a plan of attack.

Maybe he can dig under?  Nope I think I fixed that too.

They have found a new dusting spot.  So glad that we made that really nice dusting bowl a few days ago.

 

 

 

Chuck Wagon Wins Again

They love it and so do I.  The follow me to the barn and then to the middle of the yard or wherever I decide to park the wagon.

EffieGrace doing some high stepping through the mud...oh, I mean the backyard.

Crispy doesn't like snow, water or mud on her feet.  She flies just about everywhere she goes.

Doesn't it look like RayJeana is listening for worms?

Barnyard brawl started by Esthelle.

Inez just making a mud hole.  My prediction for the yard this summer...not much grass.

Susie just strutting around like she owns the place.

Dixie's frostbite looks better.

How They Weathered The Storms

The rabbits were all snug in their boxes filled with hay.  Only problem...some days I would have to go out four times to replenish the water bottles because they froze solid.  I was thankful for my little snow plowed paths.  At night I would bring the water bottles in and sit them by the heat vent so they would be thawed and warm by morning.

We ended up putting cones over all the water and food containers to help keep the snow out.  And the water heaters did just great...except for the -30 night.

The Big Girls only have a small place to keep dry other than in the coop so we put a tarp over half the run and added straw for some insulation on the cold ground.  You have to be care their feet don't get frostbite.

Once he paths started to show dirt some of the girls ventured out for some treats...even when it was snowing.  What some of them won't do to get a little extra treat.

Once there were brown patches in the yard they ventured out a little bit further in he yard.  Still they didn't like the feel of the cold wet snow on their feet.

Mark broke out some of his bird suet for them.

One week I had a little extra cash in the egg jar so I splurged and got a big block of treats for them.  They were various leery of that brown block in the middle of the yard.

But once I added a little of their regular treats to the top it became something they all wanted to check out.

Susie

 

Inez

 

Esthelle

 

Inez again

 

Ethel

Susie spreading her wings.

Judy

Sunny

Inez the camera hog

Dixie walking the railroad tie so she doesn't have to step in the snow.

Crispy flying from one brown spot to another.

Susie in her favorite spot.

Chicken foot prints in the snow.

EffieGrace

Ethel looking for Chickie Pa.

And just look who thinks she is Queen of the treats.

The figured out that the ground was softer over by the fence where the snow had melted and they could find worms.

Just to change it up a bit so they don't get bored I put their treats in he little red wagon so they had to do a little work to get something good to eat.

Love those chicken legs.

And once again...

Better move over Susie here comes Keithetta Renetta.

RayJeana just sweeping the yard for worms or anything good to eat.

Some need to stand on tippy toes to get a treat.

Muddy feet

Second in command

Our little want to be mother, Ethel.  She loves to sit on eggs.  They could be hers or others or even the fake eggs in the nesting boxes.

I have already decided that The Girls will be getting their own little ghetto pool for the hot days of summer.

She doesn't like muddy feet.  I don't either because they get the eggs all dirty when they go in the nesting boxes with mud on their feet.

Just a little refreshing drink.  Today I added the water from cooking last night.  So they had some broccoli/pasta water.  I'd say my girls are just a little spoiled.  But the way I have it figured if they supply me with all the eggs I could possibly want and use, they should be rewarded for all their hard work.