New coop

I took out most of what was left of my retirement money after the stock market was through with it, allowed 1/3 for taxes, and bought one of these beauties from Horizon Structures. It was supposed to take 4-6 weeks, but when I explained my plight they got it here in one! It came with a roosting ledge and nest boxes already installed.






I caught the banties and put them in it the first night. I let them out a couple of days later, closing the door to their old dog kennel, and so at night they roosted on top of our chipper/shredder on our patio. I had to chase after them a little to catch them and put them in the coop. The last three times they've roosted on the air hockey table on our porch, peering into the front windows with their stupid little faces. It's a hoot.



Tonight I let the banties and the chicks mingle - have done that a few times. That mean ol' red hen attacks the chicks, but this afternoon I think they reached a sort of detente. I put the chicks in the coop and locked the banties out. They tried to perch on the chipper again, but I herded them away. I think they're back down there now. : ( I'm going to catch them when it's nice and dark and put them in with the chicks. I don't think they'll kill each other.



Here's Hermes last Sunday, at eight weeks.

I let the chicks out a few times in the last week when it got up above 60. The banties were very interested. Big Helga (the rooster) scratched his feet, lowered his wings, and did a little dance for them. Then he tried to jump one of them. The red hen tried to peck them. I drove her away. The grey hen would stay in the background clucking nervously.

The kids keep feeding them ornamental crabapples. Great fun.





Miss Fusspot at six weeks. I think it's Fusspot. It could be Sweetie.
















The banties discovered the porch. They make their rounds once a day or so.

Chicken news

My favorite bantie, the red cockerel, died after a few weeks from Marek's disease.

I named the black hen "Big Helga" because she was the largest chicken and had male features.

Big Helga turned out to be a boy. A few weeks ago I murdered the other two roosters because they weren't getting along. I will always feel guilty, and I don't think I'll be able to butcher any more chickens. I'll still eat them, though. : )


Then on September 30th I got three day-old Plymouth rock barred hens:

(from left to right: Miss Fusspot, Hermes, Sweetie Pie)















Hermes at three weeks, October 23rd:





















Sweetie at five weeks, November 2nd:


















The pears are in fine form this year. Instead of letting them rot in huge piles on the ground, I've been juicing them. The kids love it.