Getting Familiar!

Very exciting day! Today is the first day that the new chickens or our youngest chickens have run to see us when we come to see them.  They usually run and hid in the coop whenever we come near. They have finally learned to enjoy some treats instead of running from the worms as well. :)

As difficult as it made to do the water and the food today without them escaping, the feeling that the lovely ladies are getting comfortable and excited to see us is amazingly delightful!

Chicks First Day Outside

 Our new chicks are five weeks old, so they are getting close to outside living.  It is still chilly at nights, but the days have been quite warm.

Today, the chicks went outside for the first time.  The other four hens showed interest right away.  The chicks were quite wary.

However, the older girls lost interest soon.  The Speckled Sussex stayed interested for just a couple minutes more.

The pullets are sticking quite close to each other.  We will bring them into the house tonight.

Sassy: Then and Now

The first picture was taken the day we brought Sassy home.  She had been bullied and pecked by the rest of her flock.  She had also been in isolation for three weeks.  She looked scraggly; she was not emotionally a chicken.

The second picture is about eight weeks later.  Her feathers are beautiful and fully grown in.  She has completely joined the flock; she free ranges with the other girls all day long.  She is very happy.

Sassy the day we brought her home.

Eight weeks later.

Pullets and Molting

Sunny looks pretty scraggly right now.

Our chicks are about three weeks old.  Their molting makes them look so funny!

Molting is the process of shedding and renewing feathers. During the molt, the reproductive physiology of the bird has a complete rest from laying and the bird builds up its body reserves of nutrients. The provision of new feathers or a coat (a feature inherent in most animals) is a natural process, designed by nature to maintain a bird's ability to escape enemies by flight and better protect against cold winter conditions. Under usual conditions, adult birds molt once a year. Some may molt twice in one year and, rarely, once in two years.
 
The chick goes through one complete and three partial molts during its growth to point of lay. Generally, complete molting occurs from 1-6 weeks of age, and partial molting at 7-9 weeks, 12-16 weeks and 20-22 weeks. During this final molt, the stiff tail feathers grow.

Mature birds normally undergo one complete molt a year. The three main factors that bring about molting are:

• physical exhaustion and fatigue
• completion of the laying cycle (as birds lay eggs for a certain period of time)
• reduction of the day length, resulting in reduced feeding time and consequent loss of body weight.

If a bird stops laying and molting, this means its physical condition is deteriorating and, therefore, cannot support egg production, continued nourishment of their feathers or body maintenance. Feathers contain protein and are more easily grown when laying ceases because of the difficulty in assimilating sufficient protein for both egg and feather production. During the molt, the fowl still needs a considerable amount of good quality food to replace feathers and build up condition.

The time at which a laying hen ceases production and goes into molt is a reliable guide as to whether or not the hen is a good egg producer. Poor producing hens moult early and take a long time to complete the process and resume laying i.e. they 'hang' in the moult and are out of production for six to seven months. Poor producers seldom cast more than a few feathers at a time and rarely show bare patches.

High-producing hens moult late and for a short period (no more than 12 weeks), and come back into production very quickly. Rapid moulting is seen not only in the wing feathers of good producers, but also in the loss of body feathers generally. Because of this, it is common to see a late and rapid moulting hen practically devoid of feathers and showing many bare patches over its body.

Source: http://www.qld.gov.au/ 

Four Hens = Four Eggs

We have four hens.  We have beem collecting an average of four eggs every two days.

Today -- the first day since last fall -- all four laid an egg!  It has been so nice to have eggs again. 

Meet Sunny and Cher!

Our city ordinance allows six hens per backyard.  We have four hens, so we were able to get two more chicks today.  Enter Sunny and Cher!

We decided on two more Buff Orpingtons.  This gives us three Buff Orpingtons, one Black Austrolorp, and two Speckled Sussex.  What a great flock.

We just purchased bottle nipple waterers.  Tomorrow I will get a bottle hanger.  I hope it works because I hate how dirty the water gets.

Not a Typical Storm -- Oh, My!

On Sunday we had the oddest storm. 

The basket ball shows how the wind was blowing hard from the north.  It was 60 degrees an hour ealier, then plummeted to 30 degrees. 

We had 60 mph winds, hail, thunder, and snow. The storm lasted 30 minutes, even though it stayed cold for another day. 

Many houses lost power; fortunately our power stayed on. 

The chickens ran for their coop and safety as soon as the wind started. 

What a freakish storm! 

Picture of the Day 2/19/2013 Sassy Runs as Fast as She Can

Sassy is eight years old.  The other four hens in the flock will be one year old this spring.

Every day when I come home from work, I go out to visit the girls, do poo patrol, and give them an afternoon treat.

Since the flock knows that I come bearing treats, they all come running.  Even Sassy.  But Sassy doesn't run anymore -- she waddles along.  At her own speed.  And if there is snow in her way, she goes around it.

The other girls know that until Sassy gets there, they do not get their treats.  They have not learned patience, but they know that Sassy will get there eventually.

Look how nicely Sassy's feathers have grown back.  Such a pretty lady.

Picture of the Day 2/13/2013 Dust Baths

Crystal

Yesterday's post talked about my chickens scratching up my lawn and leaving more dirt than grass.  Of course, my lawn had been poorly maintained for some time.  I found out that the girls were able to create areas for their dust baths.

Chickens love to take dust baths! They dig a shallow hole, loosen up all the dirt, and proceed to get themselves as dirty and dusty as they possibly can.  They will often lay in the dirt on hot days to cool off.

Dust baths are a necessity for chickens.  They prevent parasites such as mites and lice from finding a home in your chickens' feathers and legs.

If your chickens aren't free-range or their run area doesn't have a dry patch of ground where they can dig a hole, you'll need to provide them with an artificial dust bath. Place a box on the floor of their coop and fill it with 6" of a dusting powder. A typical recipe for the dusting powder:  1 part fireplace ashes, 1 part road dust, 1 part sand and 1 part diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth is a chalky power derived from the fossilized remains of microscopic plankton. Although not dangerous to the touch, diatomaceous earth contains silica, which, if inhaled, can lead to respiratory illness. If you choose to use it, make sure you research the dangers for you and your chickens.

Picture of the Day 2/12/2013 Garden for Chickens

Chickens produce fertilizer, cultivate, and manage pests.  As omnivores, they scratch the ground in search of worms, insects, and seeds.  They also do not distinguish between my good plants and weeds.  They will eat grass, weed, berries, fruits, vegetables, and tender new greens.  They will eat whatever looks good.  The only sure way to protect your garden is to limit their freedom. 

My backyard has some spots that were weeds, but are now dirt.  We found a moveable fence at a garage sale last year, so we are planning to reseed some areas.  I could plant lettuce, cabbage, alfalfa, mustard, or kale as nutrient-rich greens.  Seeds and grains like buckwheat, clover, cow peas, and annual rye would be good choices.  Then, once the chicken garden is mature, I can take down the fence and let the chickens feast.  An added bonus, the chickens will turn the garden spot into an enriched spot!

Some common plants can be toxic to chickens, too, including daffodils, tulips, bleeding heart, bracken ferns, delphinium, fireweed, foxglove, hyacinth, English ivy and nightshade. Lamb's quarter, milkweed and St. John's wort are also poisonous, along with shrubs from hydrangeas and Japanese yew to lantana and oleander. Inform yourself about other possible toxic plants in your area and prevent your chickens' exposure to these plants.

Be there to supervise if you want your chickens' help with pest control in the vegetable garden, because they won't distinguish between unwanted weeds and precious seedlings.

Picture of the Day 2/7/2013 Young and Old Hens

Yoda

With the addition of an older hen into the flock, I have noticed that the year-old hens walk, run, jump, and shine like youth.  Our eight year old dodders along, getting where she wants when she wants.  During the last cold spell, she stayed in the coop most of the day, not even venturing into the enclosure.

It's common for a hen in a backyard setting to live 8-10 years, but there are reports of chickens living as many as 20 years! The older they get, of course, the fewer eggs they lay, but think of all their other valuable functions besides being a loved member of the family.  They still eat bugs and fertilize the earth.

Picture of the Day 2/4/2013 Flock of Five

We had a flock of four just ten days ago.  When we introduced Sassy to the flock, the sweet, gentle original four accepted her right away.

Sassy did not know how to behave around hens that would let her eat her share and not pick on her.  Sassy showed aggression a couple of times, but our original four allowed her to be in the flock. 

Now, the flock of five have gotten used to each other.  Sassy is not showing aggression towards the others; she found that it was not necessary.

What a great flock of five!

Notice how gray the day is.  The temperature is in the 40s, but the wind is howling.  Brrr...  The wind chill doesn't seem to bother the girls. 

Picture of the Day 2/2/2013 Sassy's Egg

Right now we have only one of our five hens laying.  Crystal has been one of our most consistent layers.

However, I went out yesterday, and found an egg under Sassy.  Sassy is eight years old and just joined our flock, but she is still laying!  Which means, two of our hens are laying.  Woohoo!

We are soon approaching our ten-hour day, so we should see egg production up soon. 

Picture of the Day 1/29/2013 Footprints in the Snow

This picture was taken a couple of days ago.  It was a beautiful 55 degrees out and the snow was melting.  The girls got out and we could tell where they had been.  An hour later, this was all melted.

An arctic front is coming through tonight, so there will be more snow and cold soon.

Pictures of the Day 1/28/2013 Sassy's New Flock

Sassy finding water.

 Sassy, our rescue chicken, has a new flock.  Our original flock of four chickens consisted of one Buff Orpington, one Black Austrolorp, and two Speckled Sussex.  All of these four birds are sweet, gentle, and easy-going. 

After the initial posturing of the birds, they accepted her into the flock.  We kept the four original birds in the enclosure and Sassy in the small coop that was inside the enclosure.  The girls were curious, but not aggressive.  We let the four out of the enclosure into the yard.  We let Sassy out of the small coop and into the enclosure.

Sassy found the food and water, so we knew she would be fine.  She also found a bit of sunshine to sit in.   Since she has been in isolation for three weeks at the Zoo, she was very cautious.  It took her a bit to remember how to be a chicken.

Scratching for food.

The five birds had only one moment of aggression -- and it came from Sassy.  She moved toward one of the birds, letting them know she wanted a place in the pecking order.  The other four birds acquiesced.  So, now life is good.  I love my birds!

The new flock stayed in the large coop last night without an incident.   Which is good, because it is snowing right now and the temperature has dropped below freezing.

Sassy and her new flock.

Picture of the Day 1/25/2013 Our Rescue Chicken

We picked up Sassy today.  She is 8 years old and a sweet, gentle bird.  She has grown most of her feathers back, but the feathers are not too long.  She has been isolated from the other chickens for a couple of weeks, so she is already stressed.

We put her in a small coop inside the enclosure.  Our birds were quite interested in the new addition.  Yoda did a little posturing against the coop, but lost interest after a few bumps against the wire.  The other girls just watched for a while, then wandered off.

We will keep Sassy in the small coop or alone in the enclosure for a day or two to see how things shake out.  We have an arctic front coming in on Tuesday, so we are hoping they will be able to keep Sassy warm.  We will see.

Picture of the Day 1/24/2013 Getting Ready

Every day when I leave for school, it is dark.  When I get home, I have about an hour of light before it gets dark. 

I like to give the girls a treat every afternoon.  I also do poo patrol, collect eggs, and sit and watch the girls.

That is my wind down time before dinner.  My chickens give me cheap mental health!

We get to pick up our rescue chicken tomorrow.  All the reading I have done on transporting a chicken tells me to use a cardboard box, a crate, a rubbermaid box, an animal carrier, or whatever.  I even read someone used pillowcases. 

I have read to have a cover for the box; I have read it is okay to leave it uncovered. 

I have read about putting holes in the box.

I have read to keep it dark to calm the bird.

The one thing I read consistently, is to put pine shavings or straw in the box to keep the chicken from sliding around.

Size of the container also varied greatly.  One site said use a 12" x 12" box so the chicken will not move too much.  Another said to use a box big enough for the wings to flap.  I am not sure I want flapping wings.

So, I think there is no set rule.  Just make sure the bird is safe, comfortable, and calm. 

Picture of the Day 1/23/2013 Boys Feeding Girls

 Ok, I had to put two pictures in.  Two boys mean two pictures. :-)

The boys are enjoying feeding the girls their treats for the afternoon.  The birds are so gentle around the kids.

Picture of the Day 1/22/2013 Fermented Feed

As we get closer to adding one more chicken to the flock, I found some interesting information about feeding the flock fermented feed.  The fermented feed is similar to a pro-biotic for chickens.

There is some science behind the feeding of a wet mash, even an unfermented mash.  The villi in the intestines grow longer and have more surface area, which enables them to take up more nutrients.  This leads to greater nutritional uptake and better feed conversion.  Because fermented feed is wet, it also increases the food uptake, food utilization, weight gain, and egg production. This is from: Engberg, R., Hammershoj, M., Johansen, N., Abousekken, M., Steenfeldt, S., & Jensen, B.  (2009).  Fermented feed for laying hens: Effects on egg production, egg quality, plumage condition and composition and activity of the intestinal microflora.

From http://scratchcradle.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/science-of-fermented-feed/

What are the effects of fermented feed?
Reduction of pathogenic microorganisms
These studies found that the fermented feed led to a much healthier gastrointestinal tract.  One study suggested that fermented feed should be called “fermbiotics” because it provides the same benefits as probiotics in the human diet.⁴  Primarily, fermented feed causes a reduction of pathogenic bacteria including salmonella and camphylobactor in the digestive tract, most particularly in the crop and gizzard.  Because the crop often ruptures during slaughter, the decreased level of pathogens in this area in particular makes contamination of the meat less likely.³
Lactic acid is produced by the lactobacteria.  These beneficial bacteria are present in the feces of birds given fermented feed.  This demonstrates that they have traveled throughout the digestive system,  and they may be killing off pathogens along the way.³  The lactic and acetic acid produced by the bacteria in fermented feed create an acidic environment with a pH of about 4.  At this level of acidity, molecules of acid can enter the bacteria through their cell membranes, and the increased acidity within the cells interferes with enzymatic processes, killing the bacteria.³  Fermented feed is somewhat more effective against salmonella than camphylobactor because the lactobacillus also outcompetes the salmonella for nutrients in the feed itself.³  Still, birds fed fermented feed took longer to begin shedding camphylobactor bacteria in their feces after being exposed to the bacteria and were less susceptible than birds on a non-fermented diet.

The references are available on her blog.

So, for healthier birds, especially when introducing a new chicken into the flock, it looks like fermented food will make all birds healthier.

Picture of the Day 1/21/2013

A cold, windy day deserves a warm treat.  I took some layer food and added hot water.  Mixed it up to a thick soup consistency and gave it to them.  They thought it was a wonderful treat! 

I got this idea from Our Neck of the Woods.  She also makes oatmeal for her girls!