Squatters

On February 15, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, chickens, Coop, Fungi

I’m glad the hardware cloth on the top of the runs is sturdy since the neighborhood cats like to sit on it like fuzzy toadstools. I took the picture with the black cat up and Sophie looking on (I pretty sure she taught them all the trick). My husband took the one of the big white cat, who truly looks like a fungi. The chickens don’t seem to be concerned about fuzzy death from above, but did let out concerned noises when my husband approached. So there we go. The cats have found a place to watch chicken TV without disturbing the inmates.

Black cat on the roof, Sophie on the ground

Cat/Fuzzy toadstool on the chicken runs (photo credit to my husband)

Egg!

On February 8, 2022 By CarynIn chickens, eggs

And we have an egg! My eldest went out to check the chickens, and they have started laying again after almost 5 months. Phew! I still have powdered egg in the freezer, so the experiment to see if we could last without fresh eggs was successful, but I don’t think we will repeat it next year. I may save some powdered eggs, and I may try glassing some, but I’m not above buying fresh eggs when the hens have their hiatus.

Scratch rejects

On February 1, 2022 By CarynIn chickens

My hens love scratch; some of them love it even more than grubblies (dried fly larva). They gobble it all up, except for one single type of grain (I believe it is the rye). I now have runs sown with a single seed. I’m hoping with all the scratching and pecking, some of the seed has enough soil contact that when the spring rains come they will sprout. Or the cardinals will steal it all. I guess we’ll see.

Prepping nest boxes

On January 29, 2022January 27, 2022 By CarynIn chickens

Last year, the hens started laying again in February, so this year when they started looking interested in the boxes again, I cleaned out the old straw and put in fresh, along with some dried lavender (for the calming effect and to deter insects). They were very keen to see what I was doing, but I suspect it was just to dug through the straw and see if I left treats. None of them are doing the submissive squat, so I think they aren’t ready to lay yet.

Hens checking out the fresh straw in the nest boxes.

I also put a golf ball in last year’s favorite nest. Here’s hoping.

Peeping Tom

On January 27, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, chickens

The coop is the neighborhood chick flick hangout for cats. I caught the white long haired cat having a looksie while I filled water buckets.

Sophie started out as a neighborhood outdoor cat, who adopted us, and is nearly converted to indoor life, but still likes to take in an occasional chicken show. The hens don’t get upset when she is staring in, as long as she is calm.

Critters and Craft

Category: chickens