Backyard Chickens?
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Rits
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He's doing good. We had been keeping him in the house for a week after his splint was put on, then taking him out every afternoon to be with the chickens, then back in the house at night. We decided to do that because we felt he wasn't mobile enough to be out there on his own. And we had to slowly re-introduce him to our other rooster.
He's been out in the coop full time now for 2 weeks. Yesterday, he actually made it out the chicken door all on his own. He's been going in at night with everyone on his own for a few days too so that's great! Our number one concern has been him being able to do that so that made me very happy to see.
Once outside he's a happy little rooster, eating, sun bathing, dust bathing, sleeping. He's been getting around a lot better now...I see him out grazing with the flock instead of being on his own like a week before, so those are all good things! His splint is supposed to come off this weekend.
As far as not limping again...well, I don't think he'll ever not limp since he still has yet to put full weight on his foot (he puts some weight on his foot when moving but then drops that leg to rest when pausing) but maybe that will change over time as I do feel like he's improved on getting around.
I've been having a great time with my girls lately. We're discovering lots of new things that have really captured their interest. My neighbors cleaned out their gutters (finally! 
) and I took some of the gunk (mostly decomposing leaves) and piled it their weed garden. I kept the stuff moist for a few days and now it's rich with little critters the girls are enjoying scratching for. We sat outside with a fire last night and watched them for the longest time digging for their gold. Then suddenly like a bell went off they ran for the coop to roost for the night. It's amazing just how entertaining these girls can be.
) and I took some of the gunk (mostly decomposing leaves) and piled it their weed garden. I kept the stuff moist for a few days and now it's rich with little critters the girls are enjoying scratching for. We sat outside with a fire last night and watched them for the longest time digging for their gold. Then suddenly like a bell went off they ran for the coop to roost for the night. It's amazing just how entertaining these girls can be.
Rits
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Back home from vacation and right back at it! Hubby and I built the chickens their official roost. Theres room for a 4th roost at top but we don't need it now. The coop can hold up to 30 chickens comfortably, even if they were in 24/7, so we made sure theres plenty of roosting space too.
Their old roost hubby put together quickly when they first were in the coop. It worked great and still would but we wanted them to be able to choose how high and who they wanted to sleep next to. Plus space for future chickens
Cornbread having fun on it while we were building the new one.
How tiny they used to be back in July!
Their old roost hubby put together quickly when they first were in the coop. It worked great and still would but we wanted them to be able to choose how high and who they wanted to sleep next to. Plus space for future chickens
Cornbread having fun on it while we were building the new one.
How tiny they used to be back in July!
We have a couple of roost for the same reason. One inside and one outside. They sleep on the outside during warmer months. Usually they move inside when it gets colder.Not this year! They are still sleeping outside. When it's really cold they all cram in one nesting box. The same ones rarely sleep side by side when they are on their roost. They change up partners and levels.
Rits
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We got the chickens a Christmas tree to play and hide under. They love it!
Also some pumpkin "pie" (Its just raw pumpkin, carrots and broccoli frozen on a pie plate)
"What the heck is this"
Once one figures out its good, they all want some lol
Biggie the roo: "Yes, I provided for you once again, ladies."
Almost all of them are looking "henny" finally!
Good night!
We were so excited that the solar Christmas lights worked once it got dark!
Also some pumpkin "pie" (Its just raw pumpkin, carrots and broccoli frozen on a pie plate)
"What the heck is this"
Once one figures out its good, they all want some lol
Biggie the roo: "Yes, I provided for you once again, ladies."
Almost all of them are looking "henny" finally!
Good night!
We were so excited that the solar Christmas lights worked once it got dark!
Rits
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My grandfather said when he dies he wants to come back as one of my chickens. Well, he always asks me whenever I talk about my chickens... "when are we having fried chicken?" So I said, "Oh yeah? Well you will probably be a naughty chicken so we will make sure to fry you up first!"
Rits
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A week later and we have our first dozen! Right now we have 3-4 out of 11 laying and definitely not every day just yet.
We did get our light set up though so that should help with laying during the winter. Its on a timer so its just going to extend the "daylight" by 3 hours or so a day in the evening then shuts off. Best part is that it is solar powered. The solar panel charges the battery that the light runs off of. Im super excited just to be able to have light other than our phones to see in the morning and evening.
These two decided the sun looked great and started dust bathing together infront of us.
We did get our light set up though so that should help with laying during the winter. Its on a timer so its just going to extend the "daylight" by 3 hours or so a day in the evening then shuts off. Best part is that it is solar powered. The solar panel charges the battery that the light runs off of. Im super excited just to be able to have light other than our phones to see in the morning and evening.
These two decided the sun looked great and started dust bathing together infront of us.
Yep that's how it works, get one egg and suddenly you are inundated. I've forgotten, how many hens do you have? Start saving egg cartons because this summer you'll have more eggs than you know what to do with.
My girls are getting older so I don't use a light anymore. My oldest girl is 7 and the youngest are 3. Supposed to be past their prime laying years. Well the girls didn't get the memo. They still lay more than enough eggs. Lucy, the 7 yr old still lays about 5 eggs a week during the longer days. I have noticed this year she slowed to about 3 eggs during the short days. I'm okay with that, she has done a great job so a little rest for her is well earned. It makes me sad to see her get old, always has been one of my favorites. She's the first one to come running to me when I go out to put them back in the coop. She's also the first one to try new things and gets excited for treats when I bring them out. When she sees me with their treat pan she comes running and starts dancing at my feet till I put the pan down.
Rits
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I have 11. So about every 2 days we will get a dozen! Hubby loves eggs, my Mom cant wait to have some, and Hubbys coworkers have been eagerly waiting since they heard we had chicks. We also will donate eggs to a family in need as per our agreement on getting Cornbread for free from the hatchery.
We've been saving cartons since they were babies lol! Ill probably be picking some blank ones up anyways for selling them to hubbies coworkers and then offer a discount for returning the carton. When they are older I wont mind the slowdown at all. But since they were summer babies we are giving them some extra help as they were coming into lay in the fall and then the days got shorter lol. Their health is my priority and its why I have the light on for only a few hours so they can still stay sane and get their sleep. Ive read some dont ever turn their lights off and I dont care for that.
Aww bless Lucy! We have a few favorites too. We love sitting out there with them and watch them do their thing. Do you have a pic of Lucy?
Rits
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Holy monster egg today...! Also, 7 total eggs for the day! We're getting a couple dozen already in a week so we finally are selling them to friends and family and co-workers that have heard the good news.
We eagerly awaited to see if it was a double yolker. 3 of us gathered around the oven waiting... and then we screamed at the reveal, hahaha. Who knew this would be so fun!?
We eagerly awaited to see if it was a double yolker. 3 of us gathered around the oven waiting... and then we screamed at the reveal, hahaha. Who knew this would be so fun!?
You'll probably have a lot of double yolkers in the beginning until they get this egg laying thing down.
IMO, no one until they experience it.
I thought I was behind schedule making suet cake for the girls. Nope! Winter just came a bit early so I was actually right on time.
Thought I would share the recipe I use so other can keep their flock warm this winter.
I copied and pasted this years ago so I don't remember exactly where I got it. I change it up with different dried fruits and containers. Sometimes I make them in muffin pans and just hang them in the coop. Just put a string through the middle before they set. The girls like pecking at the swinging treats so it keeps them from getting bored.
One difference is I have access to fat from the meat we raise so I do use fat that we render when we slaughter.
It's a very forgiving recipe so just experiment with what you have.
How to Make Suet Cakes At Home
Here’s what you’ll need:
• Grease or fat from cooking meatloaf, burgers, steak or other meats
• Unsalted nuts (peanuts are especially nutritious and a good source of unsaturated fat)
• Cracked corn
• Sunflower seeds
• Raisins
• Cayenne pepper (helps to heat the body and also stimulate the circulatory system)
• Heat/freezer safe container
Here’s what I do:
Chop nuts and arrange them in your dish and then sprinkle some raisins, sunflower seeds and cracked corn on top along with a healthy shake of cayenne pepper. Warm the grease to a liquid then pour carefully over the nut mixture. Stir to blend and then put the dish into the freezer. (You can continue to add ‘layers’ to your container each time you have leftover grease, adding more nuts, raisins and cayenne as needed. You can also add other dried fruits or seeds.)
I store the suet in the freezer until winter and then start doling it out on cold days. Since the fat isn’t rendered, the suet should be kept in the freezer until ready to use and then only fed in portions that your chickens will eat fairly quickly. To serve, remove the container from the freezer and run a butter knife along the outer edge. Turn the container upside down and gently tap on the counter. Your suet block should pop right out.
I like to cut the cakes to fit into suet cages (sold in the wild bird section of hardware stores and garden shops). That keeps them out of the dirt and off the ground.
Thought I would share the recipe I use so other can keep their flock warm this winter.
I copied and pasted this years ago so I don't remember exactly where I got it. I change it up with different dried fruits and containers. Sometimes I make them in muffin pans and just hang them in the coop. Just put a string through the middle before they set. The girls like pecking at the swinging treats so it keeps them from getting bored.
One difference is I have access to fat from the meat we raise so I do use fat that we render when we slaughter.
It's a very forgiving recipe so just experiment with what you have.
How to Make Suet Cakes At Home
Here’s what you’ll need:
• Grease or fat from cooking meatloaf, burgers, steak or other meats
• Unsalted nuts (peanuts are especially nutritious and a good source of unsaturated fat)
• Cracked corn
• Sunflower seeds
• Raisins
• Cayenne pepper (helps to heat the body and also stimulate the circulatory system)
• Heat/freezer safe container
Here’s what I do:
Chop nuts and arrange them in your dish and then sprinkle some raisins, sunflower seeds and cracked corn on top along with a healthy shake of cayenne pepper. Warm the grease to a liquid then pour carefully over the nut mixture. Stir to blend and then put the dish into the freezer. (You can continue to add ‘layers’ to your container each time you have leftover grease, adding more nuts, raisins and cayenne as needed. You can also add other dried fruits or seeds.)
I store the suet in the freezer until winter and then start doling it out on cold days. Since the fat isn’t rendered, the suet should be kept in the freezer until ready to use and then only fed in portions that your chickens will eat fairly quickly. To serve, remove the container from the freezer and run a butter knife along the outer edge. Turn the container upside down and gently tap on the counter. Your suet block should pop right out.
I like to cut the cakes to fit into suet cages (sold in the wild bird section of hardware stores and garden shops). That keeps them out of the dirt and off the ground.
Rits
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Just wanted to update everyone that has been following us and Drumstick... We sadly made the decision to send him to a better place where he didn't need his broken legs.
He never got better but he adapted. The vet simply said he had a broken toe and moved us on our way. We thought he would be ok. He eventually broke a 2nd toe on his other foot. He had slipped tendons on both legs with one leg not as bad as the other but still not able to splay his feet out. Since he wasnt a chick, theres nothing you can do for a slipped tendon.
We brought him inside for the winter to rehabilitate him since he couldn't roost to keep his legs warm.
We splinted him and gave him a chicken shaped foot so he could support himself. We even started therapy through the use of a wheelchair made specific for him, all the way from Australia. He was managing fine but the past few weeks he could have gone all day without making it to his food or water without assistance. He tried but his legs wouldn't let him direct where he wanted to go.
Ive been saying this over and over... he had the heart to live but not the body. Im so crushed because of how alert and lively he was. Ive never made a harder decision to end an animals life that wanted to live. I wish he could have lived his life sitting on my lap. He was always so content sitting there, getting his face stroked, and falling asleep while murmering to me. And thats how we spent our last moments together after he got to go outside and be with his flock. Sitting in my lap, and then my husbands, on the most beautiful sunny day, content and peaceful...
Who knew you could get so personally and emotionally attached to a chicken. I just wish God gave you better legs. Im so so sorry, we tried everything buddy. You showed me that all creatures are precious and unique. I hope you enjoyed your final day in the sun with your friends. It was a beautiful day to send you to heaven, Drummy. I pray that we will meet again. We both loved you.
Drumstick
5/23/18 - 2/22/19
He never got better but he adapted. The vet simply said he had a broken toe and moved us on our way. We thought he would be ok. He eventually broke a 2nd toe on his other foot. He had slipped tendons on both legs with one leg not as bad as the other but still not able to splay his feet out. Since he wasnt a chick, theres nothing you can do for a slipped tendon.
We brought him inside for the winter to rehabilitate him since he couldn't roost to keep his legs warm.
We splinted him and gave him a chicken shaped foot so he could support himself. We even started therapy through the use of a wheelchair made specific for him, all the way from Australia. He was managing fine but the past few weeks he could have gone all day without making it to his food or water without assistance. He tried but his legs wouldn't let him direct where he wanted to go.
Ive been saying this over and over... he had the heart to live but not the body. Im so crushed because of how alert and lively he was. Ive never made a harder decision to end an animals life that wanted to live. I wish he could have lived his life sitting on my lap. He was always so content sitting there, getting his face stroked, and falling asleep while murmering to me. And thats how we spent our last moments together after he got to go outside and be with his flock. Sitting in my lap, and then my husbands, on the most beautiful sunny day, content and peaceful...
Who knew you could get so personally and emotionally attached to a chicken. I just wish God gave you better legs. Im so so sorry, we tried everything buddy. You showed me that all creatures are precious and unique. I hope you enjoyed your final day in the sun with your friends. It was a beautiful day to send you to heaven, Drummy. I pray that we will meet again. We both loved you.
Drumstick
5/23/18 - 2/22/19
OMG, Amanda! 
I haven't caught up on your thread since my concussion on Nov. 2 and was so enjoying the pictures and updates! Until poor Drumstick. I am so so sorry to hear he was having so much trouble. Poor little guy! You fought a brave and strong fight for him!! How terribly sad. My heart breaks for all of you. I would be just as attached as you! It's a very sad loss.
RIP Drumstick
I haven't caught up on your thread since my concussion on Nov. 2 and was so enjoying the pictures and updates! Until poor Drumstick. I am so so sorry to hear he was having so much trouble. Poor little guy! You fought a brave and strong fight for him!! How terribly sad. My heart breaks for all of you. I would be just as attached as you! It's a very sad loss. RIP Drumstick
Rits
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Drumstick and Biggie
This wasn't long before we found him limping.
Its hard to see his legs working but it reminds me of all the chicken things he loved to do that he couldn't do anymore. Drummy is the one scratching looking for snacks.
After he came back from the vet we let him hang out with the chickens. This lady was partial to him.
Time to go back inside. Some of his friends said goodbye.
Never had a pet be so chill about getting a warm soak. He was a good boy and seemed to enjoy both his bath and the blow dry session afterwards.
He was a gentleman and nice to the rest of our pets even though it was against his nature as a rooster.
He had the kindest face...especially compared to our other rooster. He was born to be a sweet boy.
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