Website

NIGEL:
We have a website for our Spa & Resort!
Check it out.
https://sites.google.com/site/cranberryeggs/

Bruce!!

SUSAN:
Bruce could really be a transgender chook!!!
Check out this article???

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1080049/Pictured-The-sex-swap-chicken-called-Georgina-turned-cockerel-named-George.html

They never fail to amaze me!!

White Christmas

NIGEL:
The chooks first Christmas is a white one.
Snow is falling steadily, & most are outside wandering about & looking for places to scratch!! Photos to come.
Hope everyone is having a great festive season!

Bruce & Others

NIGEL:
So Bruce, & others have taken to snuggling in UNDER the coop in the dirt & you-know-what!! So, in the evening, instead of returning to the warmth of the coop, Bruce & others have taken to settling in under the coop. We have a netted area underneath & apparently, they REALLY like it!!!

So now Susan & I bargain for who has to go down & roll around in the you-know-what to get them inside & access to the heat & water. It is a fair bit of a squeeze for me to get underneath with all of my warm gear & large coat. So Susan has been a legend & going down to "rescue" Bruce & others.

She makes a big deal about it, but I know she really loves it because she gets to hold & pat & cuddle (yep!) Bruce & others. She told me the other evening that she thought Bruce hid underneath deliberately so he could be patted & cuddled by her!?!? Don't laugh.... I am married to this wonderful woman!!!! (Yes I am going to be beaten for the info above...so I am trying to lessen the force!!)

Additionally, #46 has taken to lurking outside after dark. He likes to crow & wander aimlessly about. he can only see sideways because of his feathers. He may think he is the alpha & needs to protect his flock?

Blizzards

NIGEL:
So we have been battling blizzard conditions here for the last week. No fun at all.
The data:
-Winds were gusting up to 60-70 mph / 100-115 kph.
Grandfather Mtn nearby, had gusts over 100 mph!
-Temps were between 5 to 25'F / -15 to -4'C.
With wind chill it was down to -15'F / -26'C. It was soooo cold one night, I went to look at the temperature gauge we have in the coop & it had frozen off?!?!!? Couldn't find it to see if it popped off in one piece or in pieces because of all the straw on the floor?!?!

The chickens seemed fine except for not being able to explore our field/paddock.
The concerns are:
-Frostbite (one day we had a severe frostbite warning) on the chooks wattles & combs. We haven't seen any obvious signs, but I must admit, I am not sure what I should be seeing on the combs & wattles?
-Freezing of chook's drinking water. They can get VERY thirsty. We have plumber's heating tape wrapped around two of the water cans & this works well. Unfortunately, when it gets seriously cold the tray at the bottom of the watering can doesn't get heated & has frozen several times. We are now in the habit of bringing a fresh can down each morning to swap out with the one in the coop overnight. The chooks seem happy.

We have freezing rain today. Mid 20's... warm (did I really say that?). So I let the chooks out to explore the rock hard ice sheet. The eggs keep coming...averaging about 12-14 a day. They love the laying boxes, although a particular box (at random) appears to become the favorite & we may find up to 6 eggs in it. We may find two hens in it also? they favorite laying box changes from time to time.

They love all of the straw on the coop floor. It helps keep the coop warm & gives them something to scratch. The roosters are more subdued, with Jack following us around constantly while in the coop. Blackbeard & Buster avoid us & #46 continues to be bewildered & confused. The hens are always excited about our visits.

The Responsibilities of Parent-Hood

Uncle Chris sent us this cartoon, which accurately describes our current life. I can't think of anything else to say ....

Insulation

NIGEL:
Well I have finished the insulation.... had a corner to complete & the doors.
Hopefully it will make whats coming Sunday & Monday &......?
Nasty blizzard conditions. ASU even canceled exams for Monday because it will be so bad. they have enjoyed the 30s-low 40sF of the last two days even though the temps drop into the low 20's or colder at night.
Brrrrrrr.........

Snow!!

NIGEL:
We had 3-4" of snow Saturday. The chooks are okay with the cold...but they don't enjoy the snow. Nothing to scratch I suppose?? They wander out in it occasionally, but basically stay inside the luxurious coop! ;)

It is bloody cold tonight & for many days into the future! Lows in the single digits.... Fahrenheit!! That's at least -13'C!! Highs in the 20s. Where is the beach?

Some photos before the snow became serious.

Our Roosters

NIGEL:
Our roosters.... the protectors of the flock... & hopefully the future fathers of our Spring chicks?!?!

In order of dominance....
Buster - Australorp (Alpha male)
Blackbeard - Silver Lakenvelder
Jack - Columbian Wyandotte (although Jack is possibly becoming #2...not sure yet??)
46 - Buff Laced Polish
and, of course, Bruce our injured newly discovered Australorp cockerel.

They continue to be aggressive towards us. Blackbeard is the most aggressive. 46 & Jack think about it... & have made some 1/2 hearted attempts. Buster like to attack from behind, but usually is just very protective of his flock.

Coop

NIGEL:
Just some photos of coop adjustments/modifications. One to finish the roof trim, the other to make the laying boxes more accessible.

Are They Chickens?

NIGEL:
Well I am not sure if they are chickens anymore??? Yesterday while doing some finishing touches on the coop.... the exterior is complete...yeah!!! I noticed our large somewhat docile hen limping. I now realized why she didn't get out as much as the others.

So, with a "very clever plan" (Blackadder), I snuck up from behind the outside shelter & snatched her before she could panic!! Okay, so it wasn't that clever....but it worked! So as I was examining her left foot & leg (the one she was favoring quite a bit) I noticed the beginnings of spurs!!!

Yep, she is a he..... a VERY slow developing he.... but a he none the less! So out of 46/47 chooks we only received 20 pullets/hens. So we are now at 19 hens in total, with 5 cockerels/roosters. I feel certain that they are all chooks... & we now have the correct sex for all....but you never know?!?!?!?

Below is where "Bruce" spends much of the day...as his leg heals. I couldn't find any obvious injuries, so I am going with a soft tissue injury.

Finally!

NIGEL:
As a surprise for Susan, Lance & I have been working on our Chook Farm sign! Well I have been giving advice.... Lance (who is a the new dad of Eli) created the design & did all of the work!!

I think it looks great. Susan went down in the dark last night to see it! It has eggs, a dynamic chicken & cranberries.... & also has an invite to the mothers-in-law!! At least now they know that fresh water will always be available!!

Water in the Winter

NIGEL:
Okay, so we are learning on the run. Apparently water freezes around 32'F (0'C)!!! ;) Despite the insulated coop, the water still freezes, because we have to ensure decent ventilation to keep the chooks happy & healthy. With regular temps now varying between the teens to low 40's, lack of drinking water was an emerging problem. I read numerous suggestions on line...some sounding quite dangerous!! Few seemed feasible.

Anyway we settled on using a heat lamp hovering just above the water tank (see above). This work reasonably well. Eventually I purchased on-line (nothing available locally!!??) a floating water heater, but wasn't sure if it would work. Then our mate Lloyd (who cared for the chooks while we were in Statesboro for Jack's 100th) suggested plumber's heating tape. It isn't tape at all, but insulated wire with a thermostat (see below). I consulted two sparkys (electricians) & received the okay, with the suggestion of using metal ductwork tape to secure it to the water tank (see below).

It seems to be working the charm. I will see this morning as we have our first somewhat serious snow?? The chooks seem quite comfortable out in the cold btw!!

Our Last-Named Rooster - Jack

SUSAN:
Today (November 30) is our former neighbor in Statesboro, Jack Schilling's, 100th birthday! Yes, I typed that correctly ... Jack was born in 1910 and today he is 100 years old - amazing! He is such an inspiration: kind, sharp, (enjoys his beer, vino & afternoon scotch...all in moderation of course) and still a master gardener and pianist (favorite song: The Girl from Impanema).

When we visited the 'Boro last weekend Jack shared stories of "wringing the necks" of chickens when he was a kid. He also laughed at me that I didn't understand that you could get eggs without a rooster (100 and still sassy). Well, I haven't lived one hundred years to be so wise, have I!??

In honour of Jack and his wife, Polly (AKA Olive), we have named our Wyandotte Rooster, JACK (see photos above)..... and, we've named a Wyandotte hen, POLLY (see photos below).

Roosters Gone

NIGEL:
Well after a two days at it by myself, the remaining 11 roosters were culled & processed. It was taking me about 45 mins to process 2 roosters. Plucking is messy & takes time, as does eviscerating each of them! It is a LOT more draining psychologically doing it by yourself! The last rooster gave me a good hard peck on the neck as I was locking the door.

We now have 20 hens & 4 roosters left out of the original 46/47! Ready for winter.

Eggs For Sale!

SUSAN:
The girls are "fertile myrtle" and are laying numerous eggs daily! This week we have collected 8-12 eggs daily. At least two of the girls laid their first eggs, very tiny ones. What do they think when that first egg pops out?

One of the girls laid the LARGEST EGG we have ever seen - it must be an XXL egg, because it doesn't even get close to fitting in our egg carton (see photos). Can you imagine her surprise ... laying an egg that big?? I hope that she had some help ... another hen coaching her, helping her to breathe! These are called Double Yolkers. Double Yolkers occur when a pullets ovulation is too rapid, or when a pullet's productive cycle is not well synchronized.




After eating eggs every day, we are ready to sell some eggs, and have been researching what the market value should be. It's tough to compare, really. Eggs go for $3.50 to $4.00 per dozen at the farmer's market. Organic free range eggs start at $3.50 and go up past $6.50 per dozen!

Our eggs:
- Organic
- Hens fed non-medicated food
- Hens are Heirloom breed
- Free Range (yes, they are running over about 1/2 acre every day)
- Fit Hens (chased often & sometimes caught by our 4 roosters)
- Loved Hens (well, they are very special)

After much research, we've decided to sell our eggs for $3.00/dozen (delivery included)until they become more consistent in size. Once the size is more consistent we will sell them for $3.50. Thoughts? I think we are close to having enough interested buyers already! May be able to make some inroads on the $4 million coop :)

8 Eggs! Two Days In a Row!

SUSAN:
The girls are really laying now! Today & yesterday I collected 8 eggs! Outstanding....

Yees!!

BOOMER:
He's (dad) going down to those weird fluffy clucky things again. I wonder what they task like? Their poop tastes really good! I mean its like a treat! It smells good too!!

Wait! Hey Austin! He didn't lock the gate?? Is this a trick? He always locks the gate? Why didn't he lock the gate? Austin!! Austin!! HEY AUSTIN!

AUSTIN:
What? You know I am deaf & asleep. This better be good.

BOOMER:
Look the gate isn't locked! You know, we could squeeze through this space! We could check out those fluffy clucky things. Didn't you eat one when you lived in Georgia? What did they taste like? Their poop tastes really good! I mean its like a treat! It smells good too!!

AUSTIN:
Yeah I killed 6 or 7 one day! Can't remember what they tasted like now.... heck I am over 90 years old! I can't remember what I did 10 mins ago! Yeah I killed 2 or 3 of them one day! It was quite dangerous.... luckily I was a skilled killer!

BOOMER:
I thought you killed just one? Wow, that poop smells good. Do you reckon we could squeeze through the gate & check those fluffy clucky things out? Maybe chase a few? Lets go! C'mon old fella. YEEEESSS... we are in. Every dog for himself... I am checking out these fluffy clucky thi.... wait... poop! Mmmmm... poop! Tons of the stuff! Every dog for himself! Poop! MMMMmmm. poop!

AUSTIN:
Where am I going? Hey there are those fluffy clucky things I used to kill... I think?
Hey whats this... poop! Hey that doesn't taste too bad. Hey there is tons of the stuff! Eureka! This stuff is almost as good as worms, but much easier to find!!
Wow, I am feeling sleepy... its hard work eating all of this poop! Might just lay down for a bit of sleep & then I'll get back to eating... eating all of ......(very sleepy)..... Boomer doesn't know what he is missing.... phew I am sleepy....

BOOMER:
Uh oh! Here comes the big fella. He sees me! Quick eat as much as I can.... eat, eat, eat.... wow this stuff is good! Eat, eat, eat, ea.... oh he has me.... back in my yard I go! I could eat this stuff all day! It just doesn't taste good, it makes my breath smell awesome! If only I could get back through the gate!!! Wonder where Austin went?

AUSTIN:
(Waking up) Where am I? Where in the heck am I? Oh there is the house. Time to head back for a sleep. Hey look at those fluffy clucky things. I used to kill those things in my younger days. If one wanders nearby, I may give it.....feel a bit sleepy... need to get back to the house & to my bed. Hey there is dad... he'll give me a carry if I play it right! Time to look cute, friendly & a little old... might even get a treat if I play this right! He is just soooo gullible!! ;)

BOOMER:
Hey how much poop did you eat? How much poop did you eat? How much poop did you eat? How much poop did you eat? How much poop did you eat? I ate tons... & I could eat tons more! How much poop did you eat?

AUSTIN:
Go away Boomer... I am sleepy... I've been awake for more than 10 mins.... wow what a day!

Final Sick Hen Update

NIGEL:
Since moving #47 (sick hen) up to the garage, she has shown no signs of improvement. Well maybe a little more alert on one occasion.

Anyway, I purchased a liquid multi-vitamin for her. I then wet my finger with it & tapped her beak. Tapping the beak stimulates a reflex to drink. Obviously they don't drink a lot per gulp, so I did this for several minutes. I also did this to hydrate her. I also placed water melon & some apple right next to her. It appeared she may have had 2 or 3 pecks at the melon?!

I moved her to the brooder just outside in the hope she might move around. Unfortunately, she didn't drink or eat except when I tapped on her beak. She also just sat in the corner of the brooder.

After consulting the chicken bible & several websites, I decided that I should put her down if she didn't show any signs of improvement today (almost a week of not eating & drinking). She still hadn't improved, so I put her down & buried her in the woods. Very very sad, but I couldn't risk any disease/illness for the rest of the flock, Austin, Boomer or us. Starving to death would not be pleasant either!

Very sad day in Susan's Chicken Farm history!

Horrible!

NIGEL:
Why we need to go free range & local!
This is horrible....

page 2 of article "....the company also noted that "instantaneous euthanasia" — a reference to killing of male chicks by the grinder — is a standard practice supported by the animal veterinary and scientific community." "Is this justifiable just for cheap eggs?"

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/09/01/2009-09-01_video_shows_chicks_ground_up_alive_at_iowa_egg_hatchery.html?page=1#ixzz14hkhje2Q

Check the video embedded lower down in the article.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/09/01/2009-09-01_video_shows_chicks_ground_up_alive_at_iowa_egg_hatchery.html

An interesting site http://www.brittonclouse.com/chickenrunrescue/#ABOUT
Loads of information... a great learning site.

Sick hen update 2

NIGEL:
Well I moved her & her box with straw into the garage with a 60W bulb as heat.
She seems a bit better today? Have no idea why?
Will supply her with some food as no egg was laid!
Still clueless............

Sick hen update

NIGEL:
Okay, so I read in several places that if there is egg binding, then the hen should be soaked in warm water for 30 mins. So, I removed her from the coop & soaked her. I thought she died a few times, but I think she was enjoying the bath. I couldn't feel any egg in her abdomen though....which concerns me... but again, I have no idea what I am doing!!! She is now in a box in our shower downstairs. Hopefully it is egg binding & she passes the egg in the next few hours & gets healthy again!!!

We will wait & see!!?!?!?!??!

Insulation

NIGEL:
Well finally getting to finishing the interior insulation. the cold weather arrived a little quicker than I anticipated. So I had to seal the spaces between the joists...with particle board & then add the ceiling. I also sealed any gaps between the corrugated iron & joists & stapled carpet on any large openings around the doors. It, obviously, made a huge difference to the drafts in the coop.

Eggs!!

NIGEL:

We are at about 40 eggs (only about 14,00 more to become profitable!!!). Some are getting close to normal size... but we had the smallest egg so far appear yesterday! Check it out! It is laying sideways in the egg carton, while the others are vertical.

Check out the hens in the laying boxes.... awesome!!!

Sick hen!!!

NIGEL:

Yesterday as I was working on the insulation of the chook coop, I noticed an Australorp hen who was lethargic...puffed its feathers out, with eyes closed. Told Susan & we checked on the appropriate strategy..... isolation.

So we placed her in the brooder area...temps in the mid 20'sF!! this morning Susan went down & she was just the same. After lots of reading, I have decided the most likely scenario is she is suffering from EGG BINDING! Basically, she has an egg stuck in her! Egg constipation!

Her symptoms, or lack of other symptoms, point to this as the issue. Additionally, the hens are beginning to lay, so this could be an obvious condition. So right now we are in holding pattern... doing what was suggested on the internet.... warm her with water nearby to make the air more moist.

Very stressful, when you don't know what to do exactly. Fingers crossed that she will pass the egg soon.

"An Escapee" Part Deux

SUSAN:

Harriett Houdini (AKA #8) is at it again! Tonight when I went down to feed/water, I found Harriett on the "boys side" of the coop, just chilling on the roost. This is the SECOND time since we separated the roosters from the hens that she has "appeared" on the rooster-side.

How does she do it? These are some options....
A. she is flying over the short fence that separates the rooster from the hen yard
B. when Nigel goes out to collect eggs mid-morning, he is accidentally letting her out
C. she has a secret passageway
D. none of the above

In any case, she has 9 roosters all to herself ... she's quite the girl.

Free Range!!

NIGEL:
The chickens are really taking to exploring a larger area. They particularly enjoy scratching around in the trees & bushes. More & more a building confidence to leave the safety of the coop grounds.

2nd Harvest

WARNING - GRAPHIC PHOTOS BELOW!

NIGEL:
Well the roosters are fighting more often among themselves (we have them separated from the rest). So we moved onto our 2nd effort. We moved our harvest location to the side of the house as the rest are really free-ranging it!





We went over to some organic farmers in our neighborhood to watch them process chickens. They had a plucker, which makes the process much quicker & easier... it removes the needle feathers as well so you don't have to spend time burning them off.



We were fortunate enough to have Jimmy back & his wife Diana joined us. Also our mate Lance joined in to be part of the process.



We doubled our effort this time, doing 8 roosters. It took us about 2 & 1/2 hours including clean-up. We gave one processed rooster each to our super helpers. We had a pretty efficient & smooth operation, although the initial killing was no less stressful. We also started on some of the Columbian Wyandottes. Each time we returned to the coop to catch more... the roosters became more stressed. One Australorp took a good long bite of me!







We were not sure about our harvest this time, so we didn't stop feeding the roosters. We wont make that mistake again. They had huge amounts of food in their craw & subsequently throughout their intestines...... Really slowed down the eviscerating part of the process.