Dry day. Dry ground. Most of what got planted on other peoples plots has bolted.
Watching Mow and Sylph learning to deal with the fact that they are on their own. They're doing pretty well. They need to stick together when out on the field; four eyes better than two and each can show the other...
Relax.
I have a number of calls all in English, plus a few sound calls. If one is consistent the chickens soon work out what they mean.:D
The reverse is also true apart from we aren't as good at language as the chicken is.:p
Three hours today. A bit of rain in the morning, dry for the time I was at the field.
There is a Red Kite that has flown over the past couple of days. Today it flew over again high enough to appear and disappear in the clouds. Mow and Sylph saw it long before I did and I had two chickens trying...
I have the cage in the extended run which I plan to grow fruit bushes in. At this time of year a simple shelter for a couple of hens is easy to do. The cage is the most secure place at the field. It's chainlink with chicken wire and it's got a chainlink roof.
Yes I'm sure. I know the Ex Battery hens don't live long and that is in part why I'm leaning towards keeping them. I'm 70 and probably won't manage another ten years at the field.:old
For Ex Battery hens just the coop and run would be a vast improvement on their past keeping circumstances. Out...
The only time in nature (more or less) that a hen has her wings restrained is during mating with a rooster who stands on the hens shoulders and pins her wings to the ground while holding onto the scruff of her neck with his beak.
Most chicken keepers go for the full body grab, a hand either side...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/shadrach’s-multi-coops.74344/
You might find these articles of interest.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-egg-song-it’s-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/
If you have the room and either the tribes split of their own accord or one knows enough about ones chickens to make a split for them, then seperate tribes is the way to go for so many reasons, not least, for a fascinating view into how their ancestors lived. My uncle had three or four tribes...
Three hours today. Grey with drizzle.
C euthanized Fret today.
I've written a t various points in this thread that trying to ensure Henry had a better life in his senior years was my main objective. I made a wonderful friend and buried him.
I don't think Fret got over Henry's death which made...