Having four batches of chickens in four coops, really five because we still have three little ones inside the shop . . is a lot of trouble. It’s four doors to open in the morning. Four feed containers to fill every afternoon. Eight water containers to empty, clean and fill because they all have water inside and water outside. Then at the end of the day, it’s four batches of chickens to convince that it’s bed time and get them all closed up.
This morning we decided it was time to combine the remaining red hens and the 6 Silky bantams that had hatched from the eggs left behind. They had been in neighboring pens for several weeks.
Chickens
We moved the little fluffy ones in with the red ones and they all seemed to be fine, though they didn’t do much interaction.
Bantams
The bantams stayed together.
Red Chickens
The red ones stayed together. Only one was mean and she kept running up to the bantams and jumping on them so she went to chicken jail.
Chicken in Jail
She’s in the old bantam pen all by herself. We’ll leave her there for a day or so and see if she can have an attitude adjustment. If not . . it’s chicken gumbo time at my house!
The little chickens are growing so fast. This week we began letting them outside, within the safety of the fenced pen. They love to fly and flap their wings!
Chickens
In just a little over two months, these girls should begin laying and I’ll be able to have all the eggs I need once again. They’re so pretty with their new feathers. The two little roosters that look like Roscoe are so funny to watch. They prance and strut around with their little short legs. I’m so glad I was able to get them. There are two roosters and one hen of that breed so I’m hoping we can get more babies from them. Just what I need . . more chickens!
Rebecca in SoCal says
I was thinking about Vince doing all the chicken chores while you were in Missouri. Simplifying is good!
Marion Morgan says
Before you think of chicken gumbo, remember we all have bad days, even chickens.
Sherrill says
Oh NO!!! Chicken jail, chicken gumbo?!! Come on you put up with a mean chicken before and she even became mean mama chicken! LOL Chicken jail OK, no chicken gumbo!!
myrna sossner says
Reading about all the chicks and pens, and details etc. and thinking about the two kitty litter boxes in my bathroom! Honestly, I don’t think either of them was potty trained by Mama! There is so much litter kicked out all over the floor, the easiest way to clean up is with the hand vacuum … ugh! But we’ll never get rid of them! They are both inside cats and will always be inside cats. What we don’t do for love..
katie says
Either less liter or get a box with a cover, or at least an edge. Works wonders with spill over..
FrancesB says
I”m still missing hearing tales Of Miss Hattie and Roscoe… They’re stories were too short…:-(
FrancesB says
Gosh, how sloppy… I meant “their stories were too short”…
GailB says
Judy, this is why you live off the grid. In today’s paper in Sacramento, California, having chickens in urban areas:
Annual Licensing fee: $10 per chicken (3 allowed – wink wink)
Annual Coop Fee: $15
Rooster Ownership: Illegal. $100 fine
Admonition from U.C. Davis: Chickens can harbor
diseases like salmonella. Children and elderly
should be wary.
Vet visit: $200 if one comes to your house
Also, city folk have been abandoning chickens so a chicken rescue group now exists and animal control is impacted by the costs of complaint calls.
Seems like self-sufficiency is lost on city residents. Then there’s the problem of lving in California…. :}
Jackie says
Holy cow they sure have grown! I sure hope the one in chicken jail gets the message. I love reading about them.
Sheryl says
Roflol….chicken jail! I bet Roux Roux wishes I had only put him in chicken jail! Do what you need to do, Judy. If she is mean one day, in my experience with chickens….she’ll be mean the next day and the next day and……..Chicken gumbo sounds good to me. What time did you say dinner is? 😉