We are finally moved up to the homestead and about 90% of my flock is now up here, too. I AM SO HAPPY.
For the last year, my flock has been at another farm while we were transitioning out of town and up into the homestead. They were not cared for well. Over winter, I lost 2/3 of the flock and my guardian dog animal to negligence and predators.
A few days ago some of my roosters got dumped off here at the property with no food or warning. I had no chickens up here yet and no infrastructure built yet, no feed, nothing. I speedran a pallet barn that turned out pretty ok. I got to murdochs just in time for feed.
The next day I gathered the rest of the flock from the farm. The hens were in TERRIBLE shape; too many roosters. I built out a rooster pen and got everyone separated. I marked the cull roosters.
The hens are now in their little henhouse and recuperating from surviving the farm. Their feathers are already starting to come back which gives me hope. Things are quieting down a little now. I have 8 la-in hens left: 2 ayams, 2 orp/austro mixes, 1 cream legbar, 1 black patterened, and 2 lavender splits.
So for now everyone will be separated and recuperating. Once they learn where home is again I'll let them free-range.
My silver linings:
Below: Mr Legbar thinks he's a parrot.
Below: little pallet barn turned out pretty sturdy.
Below: a Cream Legbar egg
Below: F1 Marshmallow, an EE Paint lavender split.
Below: Bettie, a Black Copper Marans rooster
Below: Ayam Cemani rooster
Below: Crested Cream Legbar hen
Below: a black lavender split
For the last year, my flock has been at another farm while we were transitioning out of town and up into the homestead. They were not cared for well. Over winter, I lost 2/3 of the flock and my guardian dog animal to negligence and predators.
A few days ago some of my roosters got dumped off here at the property with no food or warning. I had no chickens up here yet and no infrastructure built yet, no feed, nothing. I speedran a pallet barn that turned out pretty ok. I got to murdochs just in time for feed.
The next day I gathered the rest of the flock from the farm. The hens were in TERRIBLE shape; too many roosters. I built out a rooster pen and got everyone separated. I marked the cull roosters.
The hens are now in their little henhouse and recuperating from surviving the farm. Their feathers are already starting to come back which gives me hope. Things are quieting down a little now. I have 8 la-in hens left: 2 ayams, 2 orp/austro mixes, 1 cream legbar, 1 black patterened, and 2 lavender splits.
So for now everyone will be separated and recuperating. Once they learn where home is again I'll let them free-range.
My silver linings:
- My flock recognizes me and is starting to get used to handling again
- I will get lavenders this year
- I have 7 pullets that will be ready to go outside soon
- All of my breeding roosters survived
Below: Mr Legbar thinks he's a parrot.
Below: little pallet barn turned out pretty sturdy.
Below: a Cream Legbar egg
Below: F1 Marshmallow, an EE Paint lavender split.
Below: Bettie, a Black Copper Marans rooster
Below: Ayam Cemani rooster
Below: Crested Cream Legbar hen
Below: a black lavender split
they're feeling better today and starting to chill out which is nice.
congrats! So happy for you. Man, sounds like this year has been rough on you sand your flock. But - together again, finally! Yay! I am so sorry for the loss of so many of your birds and your dog, that really hurts. But you are strong, resilient, determined, you will recover! Wishing you success and all the best! 
