Big Bad Bird

It snowed like crazy today. Brrrr. I went out to check on the kids a few minutes ago, and as I went down the steps off the deck to the yard I heard buc. . . buc. . . buc . . . I flashed my light under the stairs, but I didn't see anything. buc. . . buc. . .buc. . . buc. . .buc I crossed the snowy yard with my light shined at the ground, and undid the bungees holding the tarps over the coop. I ducked under the flap and heard buc. . .buc. . . I shined my light back across the yard and who should be crossing toward me? KEN! He walked right up to me and waited patiently for me to pick him up and put him in the coop! Then as he stood on the egg box, he did the "I'm gonna get you dance" I chuckled at the big bad bird and closed up the coop for the night.

A Little Light

from the back deck

looking in

We are suppose to get down to 29 degrees tonight. I added cardboard boxes (broken down) to the inside of the coop for added insulation. Then I strung an extension cord from the shed to the coop and dangled a light to add a little heat. I hope it doesn't mess with Ken's circadian clock.

Brrrr. . .

Looking thru to the front which is chicken wire

back door - egg access

Only 1/2 the floor is 3/4" plywood the other is chicken wire

doggie stairs perch

It's getting cold out at night. I think I need to insulate the coop a little. Chickens don't need a lot of heat as they put off their own body heat. According to my research anyway.

I think I will get a bale of straw for insulation and a piece of plywood to finish the other half of the floor. I will also need to cover the front and back walls with something that is less drafty. . . uhhh . . . they only have the chicken wire front and backs.

Hmmm . . .  how am I going to manage that? Any suggestions?

I've read that sectioning off a smaller area works. But the kids are'nt into change at all. They won't go near that little coop I put on their porch. I could make a back door in the smaller coop, move it to the entry way of the big coop (so they have to pass through it), but I'm afraid they will just move back to the porch with no protection at all. What to do? What to do?

middle board: perch

I put a board in so they would have a nice perch. They have never used it. When I was trying to dissuade Chic from laying eggs in the front corner, I put this set of doggie stairs in to take up space. They chose it as their perch. Go figure.

I don't know nothing bout raising no chickens!

Duh!

I keep asking myself, "why does Chic keep pushing all the bedding out of her nest and laying her eggs on the hard bottom wood?"

Nest with new faceplate

DUH!

I didn't put a face plate on the box. Whenever she plumped her nest all the bedding just slid out! I told her I was sorry. She just clucked.

I have noticed lately that the kids aren't sleeping in the coop but on their little porch. Even on the windiest of days. So today, I built another little structure out  of my cabbage crate materials and VIOLA! New digs. I hope they like it. They did go immediately into the run and climb the ladder to check it out, but they didn't go in. YET! It's getting dark so I will go check them before I sign off. They were primping and getting ready for bed when I came inside to post.

porch before

porch before

porch with new digs

I guess they are going to take another spin around the yard before bed. Ken tried to fly on top of it but didn't make it. He's circling it and can't decide. They did go into the coop together. I will go check again. It's almost dark. They have opted for the coop. They are perched on the top step of one of those doggie step things. I don't know if I should be rude and snap a picture or not. NO!  The flash would scare them! So tomorrow I will take a pic when they are in the yard. We'll see. They may just go back to the porch home.

Tonight They Are Nestled

All snug in there run. Due diligence and the realization that it was getting dark got the kids to bed safely before it was too dark to see. Last night's heartache was just too much to go through again. I thought they had been done away with or eaten by a stray dog. I couldn't find them anywhere. I had gone to Nae's for dinner and instead of denying them there full amount of time to roam in the yard (summer is waning), I left them to put themselves to bed. I had used this method on Tuesday night when I had to go to class. All went well, so I thought I could use it again. Because they are creatures of habit and always return to the roost, I thought when I got home I could just latch their gate. When I realized they were nowhere to be seen I grabbed a flashlight, but I couldn't see them anywhere. The coop was empty. They weren't in the yard. Not behind the shed. Not under the stairs. My only hope was that they had decided to just camp out under the deck for some reason instead of returning to the coop. So when I heard Ken crowing this morning at the crack of dawn, I jumped out of bed to greet him and the girl. I have never been so happy to hear him crow!  What a relief. It's amazing how we get so attached the critters. Even Ken and his "fowl" temper! Rotten rooster. But I love him and his better half.

Where's Chic

That's our girl! In her nest. What's going on? I was so worried this morning. Ken was out roaming their little yard, but Chic was nowhere to be found. Had I been lax in my duties. I only skipped the one night. Last night. I got home late from my class. I figured all was well, so I didn't go out to the coop to check on them. Where is she? Did some vile creature come and take her and leave us with Ken's ego? I peeked in the back door. Nothing. No movement. No little cluck, cluck, clucks. Ok, I'm starting to panic. What the heck has happened to her? I try to peek in the front door and Ken starts jumping at me. Rotten rooster. Calm down bird! I'm looking for Chic. He jumps at me again. I put up my dukes and inform I'm ready when he is. I catch a peek through the front door and see a splotch of grey back there by the nests. Relief! She must be staying warm in her cozy little nest. I ran into the house to grab my camera, and when I got back she was ready for her photo op.

Is It Fluffy Enough

Chic's work has left a definite divet in the center of her nest

I ran back in the house this morning to grab my camera because Chic has made obvious changes  to her nest. She has been comfi-fying. Yea. I think we have finally settled on somewhat of a compromised position. This makes gathering eggs really easy for me.

I don't know if she is looking to have that wood surface beneath her hiney on purpose or if she just ran out of fluff. But I went ahead and added some more wood shavings around the edges and a little in the divet. Maybe I can build it up gradually, and end up with a deep seated comfortable nest. Well what I would call a comfortable nest. It may not be what Chic has in mind at all.
My way of thinking is far from the mind of Chic. And if the nest placement issue hasn't been my biggest clue, what has?

Chic's nest after I added more fluff

Finally! Success

Chic's nest with golf ball decoy.

Ok Chic. Thanks for the compromise. I found today's egg in the old nest. And she had pushed all the straw and wood shavings out so she could sit on the hard wood. Go figure. At least it was in a nest this time.

Chics Comfy Nest

Kitty litter bucket with wood shavings

 Just to update the previous post, here are some more pictures. The bedding is aspen wood shavings. I left some golf balls in the nest hoping Chic would think they are eggs, and  she should leave some more eggs with those.

Old nest with straw, shavings and golf ball decoy.

I also put some shavings on top of the straw in the old nest. And I added the golf balls. Chic N Ken were in the coop checking things out when I left just a few minutes ago from taking these pictures. I've got my fingers crossed.

Nest-ed Developement

This morning I went out to the kids place to mess around with the "new" nest. My efforts included putting two pieces of firewood logs on either side of the nest so Chic wouldn't be able to sit in the void near the roof and floor adjunct as she has become accustomed to doing. I mean if she wants to lay her eggs in that corner, she is going to have to compromise and at least leave them in the "nest". It's a long reach with tongs. This way I can pull the nest forward and back. To continue, with the addition of the logs, came the bonus of a much more stable nest. It no longer moves or rocks from side to side. I also replaced the straw bedding with Aspen Wood shavings. Hopefully Chic will view this change as a good thing and find her home is getting more and more comfy.

Ken of course came in looking for the Queen. But boo-hoo for him, it's just little ol' me messing around with his coop. He didn't stick around for a photo session, but I did get this one shot. I really think he misses her. . .

Found One!

Found an egg yesterday hiding down in the straw. Is it one that has been MIA, or was it laid today? Apparently, Chic was just taking a break. And who can blame her. I wouldn't want to have a baby everyday either. So, I guess the mystery is solved. No egg today. I rethought the nesting box and built a new one out of a tidy cat kitty litter bucket. I also cut the straw into bits. What I won't do for the comfort of our Chic. Cut it into bits in hopes the straw would seem softer, more cozy.

Bird Bath

Today during the kids free range time, I discovered the bird bath. It was at first just a small hole they had dug and frequented everyday while looking for bugs. Now it seems to have become the favorite place for the daily dirty bath. Right between the Geranium and the Hydrangea. The hole isn't huge. Just big enough for Ken and his ego. And I suppose Chic gets her bath before Ken gets it all dirty. I'm glad they are happy with the bathing area. I wish the girl would figure out that she has a nest to put her dainty eggs in. And I am happy to be getting cute little eggs again. Yes. I found another egg today. Woot! And the Queen of Everything found one yesterday. I plan on making some home made bread while Nik is away picking pumpkins tomorrow. So I will use some eggs in that for sure.

Queen Of Everything

Uh. . . Queen

Queen of Everything

How dare you jump at my head! Especially when my back is turned. You may rule the roost Ken, but I am the Queen of Everything! And I will carry you, and make you sit on my lap.

Her Majesty and her Subjects

NO Egg

Well keep looking. . . I'm sure they're here somewhere.

Ok so now it's been three days. NO egg. NONE. Hmmm. What the heck? I've looked everywhere. I don't think she has found a hidey place. It's a small run without a lot of nooks or crannies. I've read about folks finding multiple eggs in some spot they would never have looked at had they not come upon them accidentally. I guess it's back to the internet and more research. Anyone know anything about chic N egg laying? If you find a site with the answers send me a link. Please!

Not Greatful At All

 

 It's been a few days since my last post because Nik and I have been going back and forth to Seattle selling Sweet Dreams and other yummy fresh produce. And while we were trekking across the state, Ken was honing his feisty attitude. Now it seems he is aggressive to everyone, except Nae. Nana has even tried getting into his favor by giving him worms. But he is not greatful. Not greatful at all. He even jumped at her head when she had her back turned. She was trying to get them some scratch out of the shed. She turned to scoop some out of the bag and. . . Ken jumped at her when her back was turned. Rotten Rooster!

After the Peaches Update

Nik and I spent three days in Seattle selling Sweet Dreams peaches! They were a big hit! Everyone loves them. While we were gone, Nancy came over and fed Chic N Ken for us and used her animal whispering on Ken. He is so docile when she is here. He lets her pet him without a fuss and does not feel that she is a threat at all. Yea Nae! I am going to make myself small and quiet and get Ken to let me pet him tonight!

We were blessed with three more eggs on our return. Good job Chic. I can't wait for next spring when the plan is to let her go broody and hatch a half dozen chic-lettes!

Here's a pic of the three new babies.

Egg In The Corner Pocket

Ok, well it's day three for egg hunting. Chic is laying IN the coop now. Which is an improvement, but not where we want her eggs to lay. She is laying in the front most corner of the coop. So, we took eggs #1 and #2 and put them in the fridge, and moved egg #3 into the middle of coop. We are hoping we can get her to lay there and then incrementally move her to the nest. Do you think it will work. Any ideas?

Also today, I got some egg comparing pictures. The eggs they are so cute. Can an egg can be considered cute. Yes, they are cute. Yes Kit, I will be eating them. Maybe for breakfast. Wish I had an English Muffin!


They are 1/3 the size of a store bought jumbo egg shown in the picture on the right, and a smidge bigger than the grape tomatoes, from my garden, in the center picture. They are almost drowning in the egg holder where we keep the store bought eggs. When Jay and Kee hold them they are regular sized in their little hands.

Noob News

In answer to MrsKittyKaBooms q's- I can most assuredly say that I still don't know why Chic has feathers on her feet and Ken doesn't. I have gone thru web sites and books, but I'm still not sure what kind of bird Chic n Ken are other than Bantam chicken.

Ken has the yellow legs and feet of the Rhode Island Red (which is a Bantam breed) and the feather coloring. But we will have to wait and see when all his feathers grow in. He has a flat back, slightly raised tail, and vertical breast.

Now Chic is altogether different than Ken. I'm leaning towards Cochin Bantam. Because of coloring and feathers. What else is there? Ahhh. Wattles, earlobes, combs, etc.

Chic has short legs, the characteristic tilt forward in the body, an abundance of hackle feathers (hackle being the neck), and her friendly demeanor. From what I gather from books is that she is a Lavender Pekin Cochin which is a true bantam. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention her feathered feet. Also a Cochin trait. What do you think?

Egg-citing News

Nik and I went out to the run to give the kids some corn on the cob and and a few grapes. While Nik was refilling the water bowl, I spied a small egg shaped object laying under Chic N Ken's porch.

Yep! It's Chic's first egg. Very small. I got a couple of pics, and we decided to leave it in the nest so that maybe Chic would born the next one there too.

In this picture, Chic's first egg is sitting in Jay's hand and Kee's finger is touching it.

Such egg-citing times here in RiverCity!! Uh, I don't know if anyone noticed, but Chic layed her first egg out in the run under the chicken porch in front of God and everyone. Is there a privacy issue?

Which came first?

We have a chicken, but without any privacy we'll never get any eggs. So, today I fixed the back door. Ummm. . . improved the back door. Tightened the shade screen, filled the gaps between door frame and door with 1x1/2 pieces of lumber.

Remember the shelf unit I bought at Goodwill? Well, I took the "unit" out and put a back flap on it ( I attached it with hinges . . the better to gather eggs my dear). I installed a winter perch in the coop. Which we still need to affix to the coop so it doesn't move. I think we will use zip ties so as not to beat up the coop roof.

I also added shade screen to the front of the coop, but that's temporary too till I figure out a better way. For now it's held in place with clothes pins. Handy little objects those clothes pins. I use them for a multitude of tasks!


Funny:

We went to a new chicken place for dinner. We asked the waitress how the chicken was prepared.

She said, "We just tell them all they're going to die."