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!!