RE: ~ 71 ~ Walk With Me Around the Home in Stead
I love the 'look e loo' shots of you snooping on the car sitution, I would have done the same thing!
Concerning the crows with your chickens, have you ever had them take any chicks? I have known crows to take baby chicks quite easily. Although, maybe you haven't let your free range chickens hatch their own? Or have you?
MMMM coffee. I did a sort #walkwithme today into our village and I ended up having two coffees at two different places. But, I deserved it after a week of being frozen in our house!
You got some snow? We have had a melt for day two now. We are meant to get two days of high 50s (f) and thunderstorms and then another freeze! Oh heavens, not another freeze!
Again, I LOVE that apron. My five girls are now consistently laying every day, the little darlings.
Concerning using a dummy egg, I did that to show my girls what nest box to lay in and that worked. Of course mine are only indoor chickens right now with a tiny run, as I have not figured out how to out smart our local fox, so they cannot free range currently. I might solve that this summer with another flock or larger birds to sort of be a 'buffer', we shall see if that pans out.
Sorry I feel like Ieave you a long letter every time I post a reply.
I LOVE my letters from Donna!! Thank you so much for your meaningful replies!! I saw your walk just now, it was awesome, I'm so glad the weather warmed up, we're warm as hell here too, just for another day though then she's dropping again.
Glad your gals are laying consistently now, and no easter egg hunts in your future. We have hatched many many chicks, and because it was during spring and summer, the gals were locked in their run (to keep them out of the gardens), so we had no issues, thank heavens...
I know, I'm dreading the next drop. I don't think I can handle another two weeks of freeze, but one can one do? Spend more time on Steemit of course.
Do you just let the hens sit on what they like or do you give them certain breed eggs to hatch? I can't wait for one of my gals to go broody because I am going to order a dozen Cream Legbar eggs to stick under her. I am going to try a flock of these to see if they will aide in our chickens being better at free ranging. They are supposed to be great free rangers and they are sex linked so you know what you have, hen or rooster, at hatch! I can't wait for Spring!
We were putting under our own eggs last spring/summer. This year we are going to get some fertilized silkie eggs and hatch those. We may also hatch our own breed of chicks for neighbours, but won't be keeping any of our own, in our flock. Too many of the same genes, need new blood in here. :)
That is a good idea. I can't say enough good things about silkies as pets. They are so gentle and loving and make great mothers, they'll hatch anything. The only downside is they are always at the bottom of the pecking order and are not too predator proof. If your flock hatches and raises them though they should just accept them straight on and protect them I suppose, right? I can't wait to see silkie chicks!
Oh wait I missed that bit, your own breed! I hav alwyas wnated to do this and try for specific traits. The gene study of this is so interesting. Have you ever been on the online backyardchickens forum? The level of breeding and scientific records some of the cross breeders keep are really interesting, well if you are a chicken nerd they are ;)
Yessss, backyardchickens is my go to chicken bible of info! I've gotten so much knowledge from there!