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Barnyard Buddies:  Backyard Chickens  |
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 28 2015 : 5:42:54 PM
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Sara, we are all wilting in this awful persistent heat!! Sounds like your Girls have a system down for coping, which is great. Maybe you will need a heat lamp in Winter during those really cold spells?
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2015 : 09:51:14 AM
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Winnie, I have a heat lamp I used when I first got the chicks. Will need a outside extension card to connect to carport plug.
For the last couple of days Claude has been checking out the nesting boxes and sitting a few minutes. I figured she might be getting close to laying. It happened this morning. The egg is a much lighter color than Mo'Dean's, and was covered with a bloody fluid.
Is this normal for some first eggs? Is the egg good?
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2015 : 05:56:35 AM
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Well, I am clueless about real chickens so hopefully a Farmgirl who can provide advice will read this post and offer some thoughts!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2015 : 06:01:44 AM
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Thanks Winnie, Mo'Dean delivered her perfect egg this morning, and I'm waiting to see what Claude will do. Maude shows no interest in the nesting boxes.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2015 : 2:17:57 PM
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I checked around 1p.m. and no egg, but after a nap I checked again. Claude had laid a perfect brown egg. I guess yesterday was just her having "first egg jitters".
Two hens a laying ~~~ one hen thinking about it. I hope!
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2015 : 07:46:59 AM
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Maude laid an egg this morning! All three chickens are laying now and earning their keep.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Song Sparrow
True Blue Farmgirl
1010 Posts
Amy
Talleyville
Delaware
USA
1010 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2015 : 07:54:50 AM
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Hi Sara, I just caught up on your egg-citing news! Congratulations to all four of you! :)
Happy Day!
Peace in our hearts, peace in the world
Amy (Sister#6098) www.danaherandcloud.com
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Aug 02 2015 : 09:29:38 AM
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Thanks, Amy. The girls are doing so well I was able to give 4 eggs to my back-fence neighbor this morning.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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morganewilson
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Morgan
Knoxville
TN
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2015 : 06:02:21 AM
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| Chickens are really high on my list of projects I want to complete soon. I live in the city ( we are allowed 6 hens) and my yard is mostly fenced (though there are spots cats can jump over or squeeze under). I was hoping they could be free range but maybe without a really secure fence that won't do. I've been trying to find a coop on clearance but honestly can't decide whether to buy a kit or attempt to build one myself (I'd need to buy more power tools). Also not sure if I should go ahead and try to get it done this fall or maybe spring is the better time to get started with chickens. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2015 : 03:36:24 AM
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Morgan, Welcome to the Farm. I live in a small city and have a small backyard with a chain-linked fence. I have three chickens that run free during the day and roost in a store bought little red barn coop with a covered screened area. This summer they sleep on a perch in the screened area.
I enjoy taking care of and watching my girls, and as an extra bonus I get three beautiful brown eggs a day.
I got my chickens this spring when they were 3 days old from a farm store. That's when they are available locally. I don't know if chickens through catalogs or on-line are available year round or not.
I hope you do get your chickens and that you like them as much as I like mine.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2015 : 4:30:10 PM
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I had the pleasure of cleaning the girls coop today. I said pleasure and I meant it. The covered screened area where they roost at night is only 2'X2' and a little over 3' high so raking it out wasn't much work.
The closed in area is the same measurements and since they free range during the day they're only in there to eat, or get into their nesting boxes to lay those beautiful brown eggs.
I hardboiled 6 eggs this morning and gave 6 to my neighbor. Tomorrow I will have another 3 eggs. The girls keep me busy thinking of ways to use what they give me.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2015 : 06:08:35 AM
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How great that your girls are giving you lots of eggs and keeping their coop a bit tidy!! I know your neighbors enjoy the fresh egg gifts as well!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2015 : 06:41:07 AM
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Winnie, the other day the 12 year old boy next door washed my car for back to school money. When he saw me coming with a bowl of eggs he said "Thanks Miss Sara, I'll have them for my breakfast." Don't know if he ate all 6 or not ~~~ maybe he shared with his parents.
Just got to comment on his manners. I just love it these days when young ones have manners. I grew up calling adults Mr., Mrs., or a single woman Miss no matter her age. I still hear it from older men ~ cowboys & farmers especially but rarely from the young.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2015 : 04:53:36 AM
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At 6a.m. while watering in the front yard I heard a chicken just letting the world know she had laid an egg. Must had been Mo'Dean because she is my early layer. By the time I finished watering a little before 7a.m. I had two eggs to gather. Claude will get her work done sometime after 9a.m.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2015 : 3:44:42 PM
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Lol, Sara. I have a chicken who always lets the whole world know when she lays an egg. The other two don't much care, like , "Oh, there's an egg". Peep always announces her gift to us. She was so proud the first time she laid an egg...she ran out of the box fussing and whooping and trying to get my other girls to go see. What a hoot they are!
Enjoy! As for egg dishes, ideas I have done and do frequently: omelets, quiches, fritattas, mashed boiled egg sandwiches (like my mom and grandma made), and deviled.
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/
www.facebook.com/suburbanfarmgirlblogger |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2015 : 4:22:20 PM
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Nicole deviled eggs make good & easy egg sandwiches. When I make deviled eggs I make a couple extra so I can have an egg sandwich the next day.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Sep 25 2015 : 07:35:42 AM
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We have cool mornings now and warm afternoons so the chickens are busy-busy.
I have a large bag of cracked corn that the chickens do not like. Had it since spring and it now has mealy worms which they do like. I think I will buy another bag of corn and seed it with some of the mealy worms. Between the two bags there should be enough mealy worms for winter feeding.
The chickens are still laying an egg each day, but they are laying later in the morning. Used to be after 5a.m. ~ now it's after nine.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2015 : 05:24:44 AM
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Sara, what a interesting idea for your chickens! I bet they are enthusiastic about the corn now. Hehehe, Fall Candy Corn for Chickens!!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2015 : 06:25:24 AM
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Winnie, I may never think of candy corn the same again.
Mo'Dean got into my kitchen late yesterday afternoon. Around and around the kitchen table we went until I shooed her outside. Must have been a sight to see.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Sep 26 2015 : 08:59:12 AM
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NO doubt, M'Dean was on the hunt for more of that great homegrown Farmgirl CandyCorn! You are right, it does add a new image to our fall candy favorite. Thankfully, it comes in those pumpkin shapes too!
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2015 : 10:02:42 AM
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The little 5 year old from across the street came over this morning to see the chickens. I checked and there was one egg in the nest so she gathered it and took it home with her. Her expression on her face when she picked up the egg was a little bit of wonder and a little bit of fear that she would break it.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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Red Tractor Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
6622 Posts
Winnie
Gainesville
Fl
USA
6622 Posts |
Posted - Sep 27 2015 : 4:16:55 PM
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Such a sweet story,Sara! I bet she will remember this experience for a very long time. Maybe one day she will have chickens as well?
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015 |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2016 : 06:02:22 AM
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It's been since Sept that I talked about my girls - Claude, Maude, and Mo'Dean. They're all doing good and laying every day except for Maude who skips a day now and then.
They're out of their coop no later than 8a.m. everyday come rain or shine. They do a lot of talking before I free them to run & scratch and do whatever chickens do.
I had my computer worked on this week and the 'computer man' came to my house. Took him less than thirty minutes to get it up and running. He didn't want to take anything for doing it since he was in town anyway. But I told him I appreciated him coming to my home rather than me taking laptop to him, so I paid him $10 and gave him 10 eggs. I think he was happier with the eggs than the money. My girls do lay big pretty brown eggs.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9384 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9384 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2016 : 07:07:13 AM
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Have enjoyed reading this thread. I so enjoy getting fresh eggs everyday. Today the girls are all safely in the coop with a heat lamp to keep the toasty through this storm. I need to go check on them shortly and make sure everyone is good and get the eggs.
~Denise~
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6995 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6995 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2016 : 07:13:01 AM
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Denise I use a heat lamp too but the girls still sleep on the perch in the screened in area. Had the heat lamp on last night - got down to hi 20s and they were on the outside perch this morning. Sometimes they will get in their nesting boxes but they won't have anything to do with the coop's inside perch.
What breeds to you have? My girls are Golden Sex Link.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Backyard Chickens |
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Backyard Chickens
