While I was in New Orleans on this year’s Girl’s trip, Matt found the dead body of Scout out in the chicken yard. She was missing her head. I think it was pretty traumatic for him. In response, the 3 remaining chickens have been locked into the kennel during the day, unless someone sits out with them in the yard.
The other things that happened is that we decided to get 3 more pullets from Featherby Farm in Shingle Springs. Chicken math, you know!These girls are Chocolate Orpington and pretty friendly. Unfortunately they also look very similar to each other. I think the names we have chosen are Charlotte, Emma and Cordelia.
The Chocolates are friendly and don’t mind being held. Vin got a little bossy to the new girls but it seems to have worked out after four days or so. She’s the smallest pullet even though the new ones are a bit younger. Orpington are dual use birds and get heavier than the Easter Eggers that are bred for egg laying.
Matt also made a cover from a pallet raised on cement blocks out in the yard. He also figured out that Cooper’s hawks hunt mostly in the morning. So we are going to let the young ladies out into the yard tomorrow afternoon for a bit. They sure love eating grass and bugs out there. They are quite cute scratching at the oak leaves on the ground also. I think he’s also going to buy a moveable chicken yard with nest boxes for out in the pasture. The hens stay in it and we move it 10’ every other day or so. It is covered by fencing so they will be safer. We have great fencing all around the property so they are safe from most predators this way.
Until next time – happy chickens!