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.
May 17, 2010 – It was one year ago today that we brought home our four eight week old pullets. (I’m sure that’s Red stepping out first.)
Oh, what a year it’s been. From eight week old pullets, to adult layers and our first winter. It has been a terrific learning experience. When any questions or concerns occurred there was plenty of support sites such as chickenkeeping.com, mypetchicken.com and backyardchickens.com.
The first egg was laid on August 27, 2009. The egg count for the first year from my four hens is 658. We proudly cook, eat and gift eggs to family and friends.
These are the girls today. Aren’t they beautiful! They are healthy and active, Easy and funny. A real attraction for our visitors, especially children.
So if you have the desire of acquiring chickens…go for it. You will be rewarded with more than just fresh eggs! (Check out the Gallery for year in review pictures).
It sure is pretty outside. We have had more wind driven snow both yesterday and today.
I’ve let the hens out anyway. They need to exercise, strut and forge, and there’s not a lot of room inside for that.
The weekend is to be sunny and warmer, a touch of spring….good news for everyone!
A useful tool that got me thru my first winter is this inexpensive temperature station. I installed a wireless sensor inside the henhouse and can monitor the indoor temperature from my kitchen counter. On this early morning, the henhouse is a tad warmer than the outside temp.
It’s important to know when the temperature drops below freezing. Buff Orpingtons are a heavy breed, winter hardy to the northeast. But chickens can get frost bite especially on their wattles and combs. On extremely cold and windy days I keep the hens indoors.
Good chicken keeping is being aware of and ensuring their environment is safe.
We are featured in an article in the local newspaper.
I enjoy and appreciate all the positive feedback that my endeavor has received.
Best regards.
Here’s the hens settling in for the evening. The three look-a-like Buffs cuddle together. Red, the larger darker hen sits alone on the edge of a nest box. They say birds of a feather, flock together, but It may be that she is too heavy and can’t jump up to the roost. In any event, they are in for the night and will be released in the morning.
During the extremely cold weekend, I limited the hens time outdoors. But today, the sun is shining and the busy girls are back outside. Check them out on the coopcam.
Today I took advantage of the mild temperatures to do a thorough henhouse cleaning. Keeping a clean environment helps avoids disease and illness. I removed the soiled shavings, washed down the woodwork and replaced with fresh shavings. All the while, the curious chickens were right there along with me.
I can see why so many children’s book include hens as characters. I could only imagine what they were saying amongst themselves while I worked. “Now, what is she doing”….. “Hey, you missed a spot”…..”Forget the cleaning, where are our treats?”
After all my hard work, I was later rewarded with three fresh eggs. How nice to be appreciated!
I have two dogs that are on a feeding schedule. If I’m running late, they will follow me around. Will paw at me, might whine, or dance about. Reminding me that it is time for them to eat. The hens are the same way. If I am running late, they pace back and forth in the run. They charge me as I enter the coop.
Once feed, the dogs are content. They will go lie down, lick their chops, groom themselves, and take a nap. The hens are the same. After eating they will roost, preen, maybe have a dust bath and a snooze. I suppose they are like us humans, content after a full belly.
Keeping chickens in this cold weather is not fun. The last few days have been extremely cold with biting winds. I need to dress in layers to attend to my morning chores. This being our maiden winter, I’m concerned with how the hens are faring. I release them in the morning. They jump out of the house with their usual vigor, attack their morning tray of leftover vegetables and greens. A strong wind comes through and they fly about a bit. Settle down, cluck, cluck cluck…go back to eating.
And, (where I live) it hasn’t even snowed yet.