Chickens coming out our ears.......(pictures)

Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 01:25

Well, all I can say is such is the homestead life.  It is definitely spring around here.  We got baby chicks March 19th from the Seed and Feed.  I posted pictures here.  We got 10 to eventually add into our current flock of 10.  They are now 5 weeks old:

We have moved them out to our brooder box.  It is amazing how much they grow in 5 wks.  We hope to move them to the chicken coop when they are 3 months old. 

Now for our newest additions..........

About a month ago, right after we got the baby chicks, ofcourse, we had 3 hens who were being verrrryyyy broody.  We have never done this before but we decided to let one hen set on 6 eggs.  Then a week later we let another set on 6 or 7 eggs and then 2 wks. later we let another set on 8 or 9.  Here are 2 of them setting.

We don't know what kind of chicken this one is but she has feathered feet.  She is one of 3 of our mixed breeds.  All 3 of the mixed breeds are the broody ones.  Strange Huh!!!

This is the other one.  If you know what kind she is we would love to know.  She and 1 other were here when we moved here.  She lays a smaller white egg.  She is also a little smaller than my other chickens.  She is a great egg layer and now broody.  What more could you ask for. 

The other chicken that looks like the previous one was the first to set and Saturday look at what she did:

She hatched 5 of the cutest chicks.  She hatched 5 out of 6 eggs.  Our 1 Auracauna rooster must really be doing a good job.  They are all Auracauna crosses.  The darkest one is full blooded Auracauna.  So I now have baby chicks in my bathroom again under a light.  If we have the same rate of hatching we will end up with 25 baby chicks this season.  I know probably more than half will be roosters, which will be great for my freezer. 

Well, thanks for looking.

Blessings,

Trixi

Here are our new additions!!!!

Posted on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 07:25

We went to Macon yesterday to the Mennonite Seed and Feed and picked up our new babies:

I know what your thinking.... a pink chicken.... my middle daughter could not resist.  Anyway, I got 10 chicks, 2 Barred Rock, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Black Sex Link, 2 Buff Orpington, and 2 California Whites.  I like getting them this way because I have no limit and I can get a good variety.  I don't need 25 chicks but I would like to get 10 every year to keep a fresh stock going.  We will keep the babies under the lamp in this tiny box for about a week and then we will move them to the brooder box.  It is amazing how fast they will grow in a week. 

Here is the other little addition:

I know, it's that middle Daughter again.  She just can not resist.  We have done the rabbit thing before and it didn't work but I guess we will try again.

Here are some other homestead animal pics:

This is Beaux.  I don't know that he can really be called a homestead animal.LOL

This is Shiloh.

These are the lovely ladies and rooster from last year.  There are 10 hens and they are all laying right now. Praise the Lord!!!

This is Ginger and Thunder.

The cows are not ours.  We live next door to a dairy and our horses share a fence line with the cows.  Our colt Thunder just loves the cows.  It is too funny.  The wife at the dairy brings me fresh milk and now that we are averaging 50 eggs a week, I take her fresh eggs.  It is a great trade off!!

I know that I have been scarce around here but I will try to update.  It's just that season.  I hope to get plenty of fresh strawberries from Louisianna tomorrow and that will keep me busy for a little while.

Blessings,

Trixi

Small prayer request....

Posted on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 10:29

Our poodle, peaches, is down tonight.  I know that is not a real homesteady type dog but we love her.  She is 10 yrs. old and is not doing well.  Her symptoms are listless, tremoring, and just not real responsive.  I called the vet earlier and he said if she is no better by morning to bring her in.  I am afraid she has gotten into something but I just have no idea what it could have been.  I did take her a little piece of lunchmeat earlier and she gobbled it down.  So I think she has an appetite, she just wont get up to eat or drink.  She will stand if you make her get up, however. 

Anyway, if you think about peaches, say a small prayer.

Blessings,

Trixi

*************Update*******************

I guess peaches just did not feel well for a couple of days because now she is as good as new.  Thank you for praying.

Trixi

We get excited about the smallest things around here....

Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 07:52

Literally, the smallest things.  Well, our 10 laying hens gave us 10 eggs today.  We were thrilled.  My daughter ran in with the egg basket screaming Momma, Momma.  It just cracks me up, the simple things that bring us joy.  Anyway, I have decided that the egg production has more to do with daylight hours than with temperature.  Which I am sure all of you already knew but I originally thought it was both.  Today changed all of that for me, as the temps. were in the upper 30's this morning and every single one of my girls layed, even the two who had not been laying all winter.  So the extra daylight time must be kicking them back into production.  If we keep going at this rate we will average 55-70 eggs a week.  Wow!!  Our whole point in having chickens was for our enjoyment, healthier eggs, and to be able to bless friends and neighbors.  We are well on our way!!

The feed and seed, where I got the majority of my girls, will be getting pullets March 19th.  I hope to get 10 new baby chicks.  I plan on getting 1 Rhode Island Red, 2 California White, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Red Star, 1 Black Star, 2 Auracana, and 2 Barred Rock.  I like to get them at the feed and seed because I can get just 10, if that is all I need, and I can get 1 or 2 of whatever they have.  I called today and this is what she told me they would be getting.  I plan on getting there early to get the new babies.  I am so excited.

Blessings,

Trixi

Keeping chickens/ coop design

Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 08:24

 Keeping Chickens 101

Today, my topic will be housing for a flock of chickens. Housing does not have to be fancy. We just have a simple pen that was here on the place when we moved here. It was originally used for keeping roosters but it has nesting boxes in it and it works. Our pen is approximately 10 ft. long by about 3 ft. wide. It stands about 4 to 5 ft. high and is about 3 ft. off the ground. So in the heat of the day they can get up under their house with no trouble. It is constructed of lumber for the sides, bottom, doors, and tin for the roof. We added some rods for them to perch on. We have made them a fairly large chicken run. We also let them free range from time to time. Free ranging is the most healthy form of egg laying but my chickens tend to come up and eat the dog food when they are free ranging. So we don’t let them do it all of the time.

Her are some specs on how many chickens you would need per sq. ft. and so on.

Birds need adequate space for movement and exercise as well as areas to nest and roost. Space requirements vary with the type of bird you raise.

Adequate Space:

Minimum Space Requirements
Type of Bird	Sq ft/bird inside	Sq ft/bird outside runs
Bantam Chickens Laying Hens Large Chickens Quail Pheasant Ducks Geese	1 1.5 2 1 5 3 6	4 8 10 4 25 15 18

We have 3 nesting boxes for 10 hens and it seems like they all use the same box.LOL

My ideal chicken set up would be a chicken coop in the middle of two very large chicken runs. I would rotate the runs that they would use from year to year. I would have the chickens on one side and a garden on the other. I would rotate this situation yearly. That way they could cleanup my garden area, as well as fertilize my soil. This would be the ideal use of chickens!

Here are some great sites for chicken coop pictures:

http://backyardchickens.com/ (and all time favorite, check out that poulet chalet)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Backyard-Chicken-Coop/

http://www.rosecomb.com/random/coops/coops.

htmlhttp://www.mypetchicken.com/  

This is just a starter. The web has every type of chicken condo you could imagine.

Trixi Spencer is a wife of 17 ½ years and mother to three home schooled children. We live on a small acreage in Ms. where we keep chickens and horses. I am a saved by grace follower of Jesus Christ who enjoys sewing, cooking from scratch, gardening, putting food by, raising animals, and all the things of an era gone by. We love life and all that it has to offer.

* HSBPublisher* * OurLittleHomestead* * Dalyn* crewchief* FaithfulAcres* patintenn* CountryLiving* belovedlamb* quiverfull* KingsCastleFarm* * DandelionSeeds* NewHarvestHomestead* * countrydreamn* KellyKJV* wannabeone* HSBFrontPorch* kayinpa* JubileeFarm* CountryGoalie* motherearth* abundantblessings* KimMC* HandsNHearts* erinljoyce* SimpleGuy* ElCloud* Maggie* Momtomyboys* Shauna* peacefulvalley* gokings13* Michele* bayleysmom17* kkmoeip* jinyeah3* ByFaith* smmagers* pcsmom* mullerslanefarm* * glenda* MicheleC11* southernbelle* * heritagehill* blueholly* * Darbydoodles* cherkeemom* MyThreeDaughters* AmyJoBellclapper* nathall* Brownsmichelle* Justme32110* PuritanMama* * FairHillsFarm* MrsBurns* mamaof2andtwins* FoggyMountainFarm* oldpathsfamilyfarm* TChannel4* FruitfulVineof7SoFar* SatyBeth* Kitty* shekinah* * * morningsunshine* Dawn* * * Cindeerella* jwells* happymama* ourlilhomestead* CandyFoote* deedee06* * wtbsmom* sharps* withajoyfulheart* meme21713* mashelle68* Hisirishgem* * Brenda* mdonohue* maa* workinprogress* blurose* OklahomaJamie* stitchnchick* * lerdman4* Purewater* Lizziebee* Linda* blessingsbaound* * mvose1051* sherry* Alaina* haflinger* karenhuse* teambettendorf* LaVonne* farmgal35* kimmie* blessedmomof10* ChristiG* denainms* DownSouthGirl* mulberrylane* ahall003* momofthree* MamaDuke* Skylark* SongofJoy* Kris* Keeblur* KrisM* * kaykay* Joymommy* boellner* UnlikelyHomesteader* a1health* DakotaSoaplady* cindy* countryheart* JustaSEC* smallisbeautiful* ibuwolf* rellamom* digbugsgirl* momma25js* * * hcorbin* rashel* Chas* lindseyinal* findingcontentment* Care999Idy* weluvhmscl* Isabella* hostlerhome* browns71280* * SunflowerGirl* SisterLori* * * Deblyn* * * ginnabear29* tinabacon9* darbyfamily* * * Southernangel* 3jemsmom* leighannwhitten* rildapeel1* * addiema* jatie* oldfashionedgirl* * * * * mom2countrykids* Sanctuary* mamasherrell* 1ladybeale* knitmama* Homesteadmomma* megroocam* tractorchick72* pathoflife* pljammie* angelarbp* * fcusick* SimpleFarmWife* TammyLynn* kdbspace* godsgirlalways2001* countrymouse* sassyfras*