Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Chicken Out!

I haven't done a chicken post in a while.  Shame on me for that.  So, I am going to try and make up for it today.  It was such a lovely weekend.  Saturday was a bit cool, but great weather.  Sunday, I was wearing a t-shirt and chillin' in the sun!  Of course, when we have days like this Mike and I spend it outdoors.  Even if there is nothing to do, we still go outside and find little projects to do.  This past weekend was no exception.  The chickens got to spend a bit of time out of the coop, as well.  I only took a few pics when they were still inside, though.  But they were getting a good bit of sun there, too.
Mike's been buying crumbles instead of pellets because we get a better price.  I throw out a few handfuls for them to scratch for, but I put the bulk of it in this feeding trough someone gave us.  It works great, but they climb on top of each other to get to the feed.
This is Little Chicken, the first chicken we ever hatched.  He's come of age and has been in with the hens.  But he's gotten mean since we took those four other young roosters out.  And since these eggs are for eating only, he got removed this weekend.
The big breasted gal in the box is one of my first.  She was full grown when we got her last February, so I don't know how old she is.  She's really a broiler, so we're not getting any eggs from these girls as of yet.  They may get the chop-chop this year.  The red headed girl is from one of the broilers and the RI Red rooster.  She was hatched early last summer, so she should start laying soon.  These girls don't have names yet.  The white stuff is lime powder.  We cleaned the "stuff" off the next boxes and sprinkled the lime to cut down on the smell.  It ain't bad, but we don't want it to get that way, either.
Dana is our sorta pet chicken.  She's got an enlarged left foot, and as far as I know, she's not layed an egg for us.  She walks with a limp and always gives me a laugh when she tries to run.  It's the funniest sight!
This was Stripey Cat's first encounter with a chicken.  He plays out back behind the coop in the small grove of pines, but he rarely pays any attention to the birds.  He just sniffed a few times then sprinted across the yard.  His attention span is still about 15 seconds cause he's so young still.  Heading out to my parent's this weekend.  Haven't been out there since the new year.  I'm sure I'll get scolded.

Today is the last day to get in on the give away!  Leave a comment, make sure I have a way to get up with you!  I'll announce tomorrow who the winner is!  Stay tuned in!

19 comments:

Becca's Dirt said...

Looks like things are just chicky there.(haha) Glad you were able to spend time outdoors this weekend. We are expecting another beautiful weekend with rain in between.

Have a good day.

Tracey said...

OK...stop bragging that you were only wearing a t.shirt!! We are still dressed as Eskimos!! xxx

John Going Gently said...

Good couple of blogs randy
it must be a chicken owner thing but I have pants that are as dirty as yours!!!

Chicken Boys said...

LOL...that's Mike's work pants. He does wash them, of course, but they have paint and all sorts of stains that ain't coming out! Near 70F here today. Rain tomorrow night into Saturday, but still in the mid 60's F the rest of the week! :)

LemonyRenee' said...

Nice to see your flock today! As you know, I have chickens on the mid and heart today. How can you chop up that beautiful little girl? She wants to be your pet, I can tell.

Donna said...

Use to have a pet chicken with a limp as well..Crip. Original name I know..We really loved her...
Have a Safe trip Guys!!
hughugs

Jimmy said...

I never win. But I'll play. Seeing you guys playing with your 'birds' reminds me of my beautiful goose, Ottoline. She would lead all the ducks for a tour around the house and property every morning. I miss her dearly. Those were good times when Jesse and I were young (like you guys) and just starting our life. Didn't have a nickel nor a care.

BadPenny said...

great photos.
now I'm going to be contraversial here but.... answering your comments on mine .. I'm all for a National Health System.. works for me !

Anonymous said...

Dear Randy and Mike, This was my first sight of the chicken up close. They are all so different and clearly you know them all as individuals. I do hope that later on we shall be able to see some baby chicks.

Have a happy weekend with your parents.

Sheila said...

It looks like it was warmer back there than it was here in So. Cal. today! We're waiting for some warm weather!

Gill - That British Woman said...

you have quite the variety of chickens there. I would have thought the chicken would have chased the cat?

Gill in Canada

Odette Bautista Mikolai said...

i grew up with chickens in our backyard but i have never thought of giving them names! maybe becoz they always end up in out dinner table.
xoxoxo

Little Messy Missy said...

Lime Powder, I have never done that. I feel an omelet coming on after looking at the chicken pictures... have fun at you parents house!

BadPenny said...

Hi Randy
I wouldn't want to get into politics on the Blog - I avoid it in " real life " too !

Take Care xx

Anonymous said...

The chickens are looking big and healthy! We use the crumble feed here too. The chickens seem to like it better than pellets.
Stripey Cat is really giving the chicken a looking over.
Isn't it good that the weather is warming up so to wear short sleeves and t-shirts?? Spring is around the corner, finally!
Have a great day.
Pam

Anonymous said...

I forgot to add..I love your new background with the chickens. It is so cute!
Pam

LemonyRenee' said...

Randy -- Yes, Assateague. Chincoteague is the VA side. It's beautiful. Challenging for the heat and the biting flies, but still beautiful. (http://www.assateagueisland.com/index.htm)

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

I'm just eat up with Spring fever :-) Some of the experienced chicken folks think it is better to feed the crumbles because the pellets get stuck in 'em.

Toni aka irishlas said...

That's a nice looking flock you have there.
It's great that you've been able to get out and enjoy the early beginings of soon to be spring. We're finally warming up and the snow is melting! yea!
Hope the parent's didn't scold you too much :-)