CoopCam in Mashpee

Thanks to Russell, the CoopCam Outdoors is again available for viewing from the blog page.

So check it out, share it and/or leave a comment. It’s all good!

I’m excited that the below picture was selected for publication in the September edition of Vitality Magazine’s, Cape Garden section.

I’ll bet it was seeing the chicken coop thru the arbor opening that convinced them to choose my photo.

The hens are approximately 18 months old and going through their first molt. It seems a little early in the month. Most molting starts late summer, early fall. Feathers are everywhere, although, the girls are not looking unsightly, yet!

I attributed the reduction of eggs to the hot and humid weather. I’ve since learned molting is stressful for chickens. Shell quality noticeably deteriorates. Egg laying decreases and/or temporarily stops during molt. My girls have dropped their eggs in the run on the ground instead of in the nest boxes. Eggs have had tissue paper thin shells, deformed and discolored.

I’ll change up their diet by adding additional nutrients to help the process. Feathers are almost pure protein, so when they molt a protein boost helps a lot. Some resources I have read recommend feeding cat food, which is high in protein. Other food items that are high in protein are eggs, cheese, and yogurt.

So as I progress through this next phase of chicken ownership, I continue to learn and rely on the expertise of fellow backyard poultry enthusiast.

I’m not sure why the hens will favor a particular nest box. There are three boxes in the henhouse for the four girls to share. In the winter months it was the box on the right that they used. Maybe because the morning sun shined in on it. This time of year it is the box on the left. This morning, Red (who was nesting for the longest time) has no choice but to share it with Little Bit whom pushed her way right in. Shorty. thereafter. two eggs were collected from that box.

I love that my Buff Orpingtons are so docile and friendly. Guest of all ages are interested in the hens and often go into the coop to hold or feed the girls (in all seasons). Here’s just a few pics;

Here on Cape Cod, it’s been hazy, hot and humid for days and days. I’ve needed to be watchful of the hens because if not cared for properly they can get heat stroke. I add ice cubes to their fresh water periodically during the day to keep it cool. Plenty of fresh leafy greens (thanks to my garden and the CSA) and watermelon and/or grapes as treats to keep the girls hydrated.

I’m also watchful of the in-(hen)house temperature, especially for the evenings. On the sweltering nights I’ve closed them in with the grate rather than the solid wood door. Plenty of air circulation. And as I had said before, the hen house is totally secure sitting in the well built run.

I have noticed egg production is down…could it be they’re too hot to lay an egg???

The outdoor cam is still not working. There’s no scheduled date for its repair.

Today’s Wednesday, and Pretty Girl appears to be back to normal. Apparently whatever was bothering her worked its way through. I am grateful.
The outdoor cam is still down. Plans are to work on it this weekend.

I watch my hens all the time. I know my hens, their body language and individual quirks. In contemplating acquiring hens one deterrent was they will eventually get sick and die. I know/knew that would be hard on me.

I’m having my first dreaded experience with a sick hen. Friday evening when I put the girls in the henhouse for the night I found in the run a shell-less egg. The girls are morning layers and always in the nest boxes. So it was a telltale sign that something was wrong to find the yolk and albumen late afternoon on the run floor. On Saturday, I let the hens out and immediately noticed Pretty Girl, fluffed up, slowly pacing back and forth. Obviously uncomfortable. I went online to get some help.

I can only assume it is a blockage of some sort, egg bound or constipation. Suggestions were a dose of olive oil to lubricate the internal system and/or a dilution of epsom salt and warm water to flush the detoxiants. I tried both over a span of hours. She seemed better.

Sunday – My girl is lethargic and I fear the worse. She is hunkered down in the corner of the coop run. She is a sweet girl, a little over a year old. There has been no change in their diet and/or environment. What went wrong? My DH suggest let nature takes its course. Many experienced chicken keepers say sometimes a chicken will die of no apparent reason. Nevertheless, it is upsetting. I continue to keep a close eye on her and will let you know.

Summer is here. The nights are hot and humid. I’m concerned with ventilation in the henhouse, so Bob made this summer screen door to replace the solid (winter door). When the girls are in the house overnight there is plenty of air circulation and security. The screen is a thick hardware cloth. The same cloth the coop is full enclosed with it so there is no fear of predation. See the gallery for more photos.