Musings From my (not so) Little Flock

[lori_smith99]

I thought since I love talking about my chickens and taking pics of my chicks that I would start a thread. Right now I terrorize my poor mother in law with all my ramblings LOL.
I started our flock with 4 chicks and that was all we were going to have (insert laughter).
Born in June 2 wks old:
Welbar-Goldie (hen), Black Copper Marans Cockerel-Midnight (Roo)(was supposed to be a pullet), 2 Sapphire Gems (1 Roo)-Thelma &Louise- Killed by Predator @ 13 wks old. These were all from Tractor Supply and all mislabeled lol.
Well we discovered a local chick farm about 10 mins down the road from us and they are amazing. So at hubby's prompting we grew our flock (yes it was actually HIS idea).
Born Aug: 2 wks old: Bantam Silike (Sassy), Easter Egger (Cleo) (4wks at the time), Oliver Egger (Stormy), Silver Laced Wyandotte (Lacey).
These were strong sturdy babies and have grown very nicely. Hubby built a new coop upgrade and we decided that we would love a few more. I really wanted some polish and he wanted some good egg layers so off we went.
Born Sept: 2 wks old: White Leghorn (Cracker), Brown Leghorn- Caramel, Mystic Maran (Mystique), Golden Comet (Angel), Polish. (Fuzze died-Wry Neck), Polish (Bowie)
Polish (Holly), Bantam Silkie (6wks at the time)(Goofball), Rhode Island Red (Cinnabon), Turkey (Gizmo), Light Brama (Oreo). Yes hubby wanted a turkey (god only knows why). Besides the Polish that ended up with Wry neck, all are strong and healthy. We purchased an add on chicken run and just added to our crew (chicken math is real lol)
Born Late Sept: 1.5 wks old: 2 Blue Plymouth Rock (Mumble & Bumble), 2 Isa Browns (Grace and Ginger), 1 (added a turkey because we were told that the other one would be lonely being the only one) Turkey (5wks old)- Stryker.
So far this is our little family. We have 18 Pullets, 1 Rooster and 2 Turkeys
I really have enjoyed the building of the flock and hubby has enjoyed working on making their coop just right. He worked really hard and I think they are super spoiled. I do mash and leave pellets out as well. The babies are still in the brooder in the garage, the middle kids are in the run in a separate enclosure to introduce to the big kids and the big kids and the turkeys have the enclosed run and the free range during the day fenced run.
Here are a few pics of everyone and their coop. The first coop pics were before it was secured. That one is now plywood enclosed half way as well.

​

 

[Callender Girl]

You have a lovely flock and what looks like an entire chicken village! The little house feeder (that is what it is, right?) is adorable. Congrats on having a husband who is on board with chickens and chicken math. And, I like that you have named every one -- me, too.

I totally get that you need an outlet for talking about chickens. I find mine fascinating, but I get a lot of eye rolls when I start talking about who's molting and who's still laying. When I start identifying the breeds of all the chickens running around, I can see people inching toward their vehicles and looking for a way off the property. It's okay. My chickens are great company!

I've never had turkeys. How's that working out for you?

 

[SmiYa0126]

Same! I love my flock, I have ten chickens, one roo, one cockerel and a chick my broody hatched . I want another coop and another run, maybe I'll ask for it for Christmas, lol!

 

[Chick-n-lily]

Omg same here. Thank you for starting this thread. I can talk about my chicks all day ha! I feel all I talk about are my animals! We have 10 pullets and a cockerel. Of course we bought all pullets, but out of 11, to only have one roo oopsie isn’t bad. Perfect actually, as he’s my favorite! I keep wanting to make them a larger run area to have more foraging room but we will see. I need to get more recent picks if the coop, screen house and run area. The ones I have currently attached are older and things have changed a bit, things added etc. we also have 4 dogs (3 shiba inus and one very old blind deaf black pug) and one male Guinea pig that I’ve tried getting him a friend, but he wants to be a bachelor, so be it
One of the photos shows the Wyandottes checking out the area the nesting boxes will be installed in. We have it extending out the back for easy access to eggs. Hubby will rubber seal it to keep drafts out. We still have a few things to finish up like putting metal roofing on the screen room and nesting box etc.

I love seeing other peoples photos of their set up and their chickens

 

[lori_smith99]

Omg same here. Thank you for starting this thread. I can talk about my chicks all day ha! I feel all I talk about are my animals! We have 10 pullets and a cockerel. Of course we bought all pullets, but out of 11, to only have one roo oopsie isn’t bad. Perfect actually, as he’s my favorite! I keep wanting to make them a larger run area to have more foraging room but we will see. I need to get more recent picks if the coop, screen house and run area. The ones I have currently attached are older and things have changed a bit, things added etc. we also have 4 dogs (3 shiba inus and one very old blind deaf black pug) and one male Guinea pig that I’ve tried getting him a friend, but he wants to be a bachelor, so be it
One of the photos shows the Wyandottes checking out the area the nesting boxes will be installed in. We have it extending out the back for easy access to eggs. Hubby will rubber seal it to keep drafts out. We still have a few things to finish up like putting metal roofing on the screen room and nesting box etc.

I love seeing other peoples photos of their set up and their chickens

OMG!! I love your set up! And your chickens are gorgeous!

 

[lori_smith99]

Same! I love my flock, I have ten chickens, one roo, one cockerel and a chick my broody hatched . I want another coop and another run, maybe I'll ask for it for Christmas, lol!

The run i got was from Wayfair and it was not too expensive and works really well

 

[lori_smith99]

You have a lovely flock and what looks like an entire chicken village! The little house feeder (that is what it is, right?) is adorable. Congrats on having a husband who is on board with chickens and chicken math. And, I like that you have named every one -- me, too.

I totally get that you need an outlet for talking about chickens. I find mine fascinating, but I get a lot of eye rolls when I start talking about who's molting and who's still laying. When I start identifying the breeds of all the chickens running around, I can see people inching toward their vehicles and looking for a way off the property. It's okay. My chickens are great company!

I've never had turkeys. How's that working out for you?

Yes I love that little house too! It is a Pioneer Woman feeder.. It works for my medium size teenager coop/run
Turkeys are bullies and a pain in my butt but the hubby wanted them and after my 22 chickens who am I to say no lol

 

[lori_smith99]

It got a little chilly here in sunny FL (it was 40 over night lol) and I swear all the chickens doubled in size over night especially my Roo Midnight. It looks like I gave him steriods lol

 

[kcan2]

It got a little chilly here in sunny FL (it was 40 over night lol) and I swear all the chickens doubled in size over night especially my Roo Midnight. It looks like I gave him steriods lol

He looks very studly! Now all he is missing are some good biceps:


I enjoyed your musings about your flock!

 

[lori_smith99]

He looks very studly! Now all he is missing are some good biceps:
View attachment 3296616

I enjoyed your musings about your flock!I

He looks very studly! Now all he is missing are some good biceps:
View attachment 3296616

I enjoyed your musings about your flock!

I LOVE it!!!! I have a silike that looks like that!! Just younger! No waddles yet