chickens – Page 4 – Crack of Dawn Farms

Caught Up… For now.

01-20140908_103826 — Growing, growing, growing…. Yes this doggie’s growing!

This has been a good week. We actually got caught up on all of our school work so that we ended the week “on schedule.” The boys worked really hard and we were able to be much more efficient since I was able to put Atlas in the crate when he would start showing too much playfulness towards his charges. It really helps with our productivity to be able to remove the distraction of having to go check on them every few minutes! As much as I truly enjoy just sitting in my chair in the yard watching these critters, there is schoolwork and housework and farmwork to be done.

By the end of the week, Atlas had earned much longer stints out of the crate and out among his birds. In fact, Friday, he only went in for a short period in the morning and then was out the WHOLE day without incident. Good boy, Atlas!

What a good dog! Out among the chickens... doing his job nicely here. — What a good dog! Out among the chickens… doing his job nicely here.

I’m typing this as we are headed down to Atlanta for Jackson to compete with his Aero Youth Triathlon Club in the IronKids Alpharetta. He has worked so hard this summer and improved so much! I am excited for him to have this opportunity. To be honest, at the beginning of the week, I wasn’t sure how we were going to do it. I am so grateful to my parents – they are going to take care of things for us as we make this super-fast trip. I just pray that Atlas will cooperate. When we left this morning, he was out and just napping while the ladies were out doing their typical scratch, scratch, peck, peck. Hopefully, the day will continue, and they won’t cause any drama for the Grands 🙂 Update: Just got a text from home… everyone is accounted for and tucked in for the night! SUCCESS!!!

I am grateful to have a flexible nature! When we initially planned this trip, I was going to leverage my homeschool flexibility and head down to Atlanta early in the week to hit some Civil War historical field trip opportunities. That, however, assumed that the new chickens weren’t going to be so “new” to Atlas and be seen as such a novelty. Once I realized there was going to be more integration training necessary I realized we’d just have to make it a quick trip. C’est la vie.

I did make an important observation about the interactions of my farm critters this week. The new hens don’t do themselves any favors. Atlas, the Livestock Guardian in Training (a.k.a puppy) likes to play. When they go flitting across the yard flapping their wings all willy-nilly, it is sort of like calling “Hey Atlas, catch us if you can!” Of course he’s going to run after them! Yes, he has to be corrected, but it is easy to see why these new birds have presented such a training opportunity. They are also loud. Lots of chattery cackling going on when they are in the yard. SO different from the other two.

Meet Lightning - Ryan's name for the other bird hurt in the initial introductory melee. Teaching Atlas that us holding the birds does not make them toys is another challenge in and of itself! — Meet Lightning – Ryan’s name for the other bird hurt in the initial introductory melee. Teaching Atlas that us holding the birds does not make them toys is another challenge in and of itself!

The old guard are very laid back and pretty quiet. Except, they (especially the red one) are definitely making it known they are higher up the pecking order. “Red” will make a beeline across the yard sometimes when the other hens are at the feeder. No drama, just when she shows up, they scatter. And, they stalk Atlas’ food dish. They both do it. When they hear the food rattle in the pan, they come just as sure as Atlas (if not more). They will pace around while he eats, and the moment he leaves they are in. I pick it up when he’s done because I think it would get expensive to feed the chickens dog food. Thanks to Elaine’s suggestion, I started feeding him at night after all the hens are up so he can eat in peace.

Boldly going where no chicken should really go.

Stalking for the good stuff... puppy kibble is wayyy better than this chicken feed she gives us! — Stalking for the good stuff… puppy kibble is wayyy better than this chicken feed she gives us!

This week will be yet another learning experience… we are expecting our original chickens – 6 4-week old juvenile birds: 3 buff orpingtons and 3 rhode island reds. They’ll be in a separate run/coop in the yard which should make it easier. “Should” being the operative word… If I’ve learned nothing else, it is that nothing ever goes as planned/expected 🙂 But, you know, life is still better when you’re up with the chickens!

Have some more pics to close out this post…

: Chickens doing what chickens do

: Ryan and his new friend Lighting

: A big dog needs a big stick

: Happy birds

: Atlas loves it when the boys come play

: Trying to work those puppy teeth out is harder than it looks

: All four of the black stars are regularly taking to the yard now

: That is no badger marking on Atlas’ back… that’s what happens when you roll in chicken poo!

And Then There Were Five

I wasn’t really thinking I’d write again so quickly, but too much happened today to let it sit. My brain is swimming trying to sort it all out, and the best way to tackle it is to start typing. Please pardon my longer-than-normal stream of consciousness writing (I did include cute puppy pictures though!).

Looking forward to letting the ladies out of that coop now!

I started my day with a run. What better way to start getting things back to “normal” after the holiday weekend than trying to get back into a crack of dawn running routine? It was nice, and I spent much of it contemplating the morning of letting my hens out and into the wonderfully buggy yard.

It has really bothered me to have them cooped up like this. Part of having chickens for us is to be able to have the most naturally raised eggs (and eventually meat) that we can. Confining them to the coop for multiple days was justifiable for long term health of the gals (teaching them their safest place to be at night), but it just didn’t sit right with me in the here and now.

So, I was VERY happy to open that door and let them out. Jackson came down with me, and we were prepared to just hang with Atlas and the flock in no particular hurry to leave while they all got reacquainted after the time away.

The picture in my mind while running this morning was 6 hens clamoring at the door to see who would be first down the ramp (assuming that had all been sorted out – pecking order and all).

Instead, nothing.

Nobody seemed in any particular rush.

Now, mind you, the “old guard” didn’t waste too much time contemplating the open door. It did not take them long to find their way back to Bugville.

The "Old Guard" getting first dibs on bugs. — The “Old Guard” getting first dibs on bugs.

Atlas decided to start trying to make his way UP the ramp. Not a good plan. We had words.

We sat for a while. He got lots of scratches and attention while we allowed the others time to exit the coop.

Only one newbie decided to leave the coop. And then the chasing began. Atlas and I had more words. These were me, very much in his face, holding him by the scruff of his neck, and establishing “NO.”

Ok. For a while.

Then again with the chasing. Down to the corner yard, and the new bird got some serious air to the point I thought she was going out of the yard!

More words. Stronger this time. But I’m not sure it’s working. I decide to use my “phone a friend,” and give Heather (Atlas’ breeder) a call. I know she has dealt with this, and I needed some advice. She reminded me that his immature puppiness probaby just wants to get a hold of that new arrival and play with it. She gave me a recommendation to actually get him on his back for the correction instead of having him sitting. This would help establish me as the alpha.

I stayed close for a while, and we actually did school for the morning on the deck above the yard so I could observe. When I went up, though, Atlas had decided it was nap time, and all was calm. He napped a good part of the morning.

Chasing chickens is hard work. It's doggie nap time. — Chasing chickens is hard work. It’s doggie nap time.

The morning went well – lots of napping by Atlas, and lots of scratching and pecking outside by the old guard and the brave newbie. The other three were content to stay in the coop.

Gee, mom, I'm so sorry. I promise I won't chase chickens any more. — Gee, mom, I’m so sorry. I promise I won’t chase chickens any more.

Check out this video… Atlas is trying to extract a forked limb from the fence (and happily ignoring the scratching of the three chickens in the background, I might add :-)).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlGXIMcR0yQ

When I checked on the crew after lunch, the brave newbie was not to be found. I was convinced she must’ve flown out the corner where I initially saw her take to the air. I hadn’t heard any commotion, but I figured Atlas must have been at the root of it. But I couldn’t do any correction because I would be WAY to late.

We searched all around the wooded area below the yard, knowing it hadn’t been too too long since I had been down just to peek in at things. Nothing.

Then, Jackson yells that he found her. She was UNDER the dog house. I looked back there, and at first was afraid she had been taken there by a certain canine, and that she wasn’t ok. All I could see was her booty sticking out from under. I hesitatingly touched her with a gentle poke and she scampered her way deeper under and managed to turn around (we’re talking maybe 3″ of clearance here!) and get out. She went straight up onto the roof of the dog house.

That works. Whew.

More monitoring through the afternoon. I checked on them several times and all seemed to be happy. We even got a second newbie chicken out of the coop at one point. I was so pleased.

TWO birds on a roof. Perhaps they were plotting the escape???

We finished up our school work, and got some of the house chores done inside. We had a library book that I tried to renew and couldn’t, so we planned to leave early for karate to make a bank/library stop first. We left about 10 minutes before Jerry got home, and all was going well, so I was not concerned. He’d be able to feed Atlas and hopefully close up shop with all six ladies indoors before we got done.

But, no. That would be too easy. My phone rings while in line at the bank. It’s Jerry. “You’re chickens are out. Three in the driveway.” I guess we won’t make that library stop after all. I finish up at the bank and head straight home.

By the time I get there, he has gotten all but 1 back in and locked in the coop. The old guard are in the yard, but not in the coop.

Oh, and did I mention there was a storm imminent? As in, it is thundering, and rolling, and the sky is darkening as we are wandering the edge of the woods (with no idea WHERE this chicken headed) trying to find a mostly black chicken! Good grief!

I don’t know what to think. I feel like a terrible chicken mama. I have no idea if Atlas chased them or if they were just up on the dog house (the 2 that were out really seem to like it up there) and saw an opportunity to clear the fence more easily.

I have been so distracted this evening. Did she find herself a safe tree in which to roost? Is she near the nest of the barred owl we often hear off in the woods? Did she make it up before the coyote could catch her scent? Will she survive tonight? If she does will she come back? Will she ever get a chance to lay an egg? Will Elaine ever sell me another chicken?

Yes, I know it is “just a chicken.” But, she was my chicken. And she was going to provide breakfast and baked goods for my family. And I really don’t want to be an irresponsible chicken farmer. This doesn’t look good on my resume.

What will tomorrow bring? It’s supposed to storm again. Maybe everyone will just stay put.

Here's one of the newbie chickens out enjoying the sunshine this afternoon. Is this the missing one? I honestly have no idea!! They all 4 look alike to me, and they haven't been out and about enough to have learned any personalities. She's pretty though :-) — Here’s one of the newbie chickens out enjoying the sunshine this afternoon. Is this the missing one? I honestly have no idea!! They all 4 look alike to me, and they haven’t been out and about enough to have learned any personalities. She’s pretty though 🙂

The Crazy Coop Dance

Six. Count 'em... SIX hens in the coop! — Six. Count ’em… SIX hens in the coop!

For those of you who have been following our progress, you know that my two original hens, the “old guard,” have been choosing to sleep in our beech tree instead of on the fine roost inside the red roof inn that we built them. Well, I finally have ALL parties locked in the coop, and it was no easy feat!

When I brought the new pullets home Saturday, I decided that we would put them in the coop and lock ’em up for a few days so they’d learn the proper sleeping habits. I was mostly ok with the two originals staying in the tree.

That seemed like a good idea, until Sunday morning when the two old guard started pacing like a woman in labor! I had hoped they’d just find another place to lay, but that was not going to happen! 🙂

I am going to try to relate this story the best I can, but I know I can never do the scene justice! You’ll note there are not too many pictures of the craziness because, well, it is hard to take pictures at the same time as catering to the laboring needs of your hens. You’ll have to bring your imagination to the table for this post.

The Dominique was first – up on top of the nesting box (with Atlas sitting staring like she was crazy). I don’t think I can accurately paint the picture of this bird pacing and clucking back and forth. She was up on top of the coop (over 6′ high) at one point! She went in the dog house for a while, but I don’t suppose it was good enough as she came out and left no egg. Finally, she hopped on the skid at the side of the coop and was craning her neck like she was trying to figure out if she’d fit in the little crack between the ramp door and the coop.

I decided to open it, standing guard to keep the others in in case they decided to make a break for it. She hopped right over to the opening – and did a double take before going in – I think she wasn’t expecting company 🙂

I quickly closed the ramp door and did a little celebration dance since now we just had one to try and get in.

Later in the afternoon, the red hen started the same dance… on the egg box, in the coop. I’ll spare you the details since they pretty much mimic what happened with the Dominique. Except that the first time I opened the ramp door, the red hen didn’t see me, and in the delay the wily Dominique escaped! I did manage to get the red one in though, and we resolved to get the Dominique in after she was asleep.

When we were getting ready for supper, I got worried a bit about our prospects for hen retrieval… she was in her tree but easily 14 feet up!

Yeah, I heard you guys talking. I'm going way on up here. Just see if you can get me now! — Yeah, I heard you guys talking. I’m going way on up here. Just see if you can get me now!

By the time we wrapped up for the evening and we’re ready to go catch her, she had moved down considerably. Jerry was able to get her easily on the normal ladder.

They have spent all day today in the coop, and I plan to let them out tomorrow. Everyone will have had at least 2 nights in there, and the newbies 3. I didn’t really like leaving them locked up today – I know the old guard especially must be missing their bugs. I did get them some meal worms and cracked corn to scratch at and they seemed to like that. Just doesn’t seem right to have them cooped up with all this yummy yard in which to forage.

Side note: we did get an egg from each of the old guard after all the crazy antics of the morning!.

Just hanging out here enjoying my yummy bone while I have a little guard dog vacation.

Atlas did get a tasty pork femur to keep him occupied while he’s having some time off from his livestock guardian duties. I think we’ll all be glad to find our new normal tomorrow!