[Ag-eq] my chickens

[Nella Foster]

Susan:

Yesterday it got up to 115!  I was so worried about the chickens, but they 
were o.k.

Thursday evening I let the girls out to run around and eat bugs and such.  I 
went back out about 8:30 to shut their gate; I could only feel 3 chickens in 
the coop, but thought the other was up on the top roost, which I can't 
reach.  Friday morning when I went out to feed here comes one of my 
chickens.  She was all upset since she was out of the run and the rest were 
inside.  I was able to catch her and put her back in.  I've been trying to 
handle them a lot so they will be easier to catch, I guess it's paying off!

They are really growing and filling out.  My neighbor said that their 
feathers look healthier than when I first got them.  They should start 
laying near the end of July, but I suspect they may wait due to the heat.

How is everything going there?

I hope you are having a great 4th of July weekend.

Nella




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Roe" <dogwoodfarm at verizon.net>
To: "Agricultural and Equestrean Division List" <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] my chickens


> Nella,
>
> When I can get my hands on them, I can tell the Buff Orphingtons because 
> they don't have much of a tail so to speak.  LOL
> I don't know exactly how long chickens can live.  I'm sure there are a lot 
> of factors to consider, however, right now my oldest ones are about 5 
> years old and though they have slowed down a bit, they are still laying 
> good size eggs.
>
> That is not a problem with letting your hens out like you are doing and 
> putting them up at night.  I can't do that here, too many roaming hunting 
> dogs, farrel cats and loads of active wildlife.  We have 12 foot square 
> enclosed yards for each coop.  They get plenty of sun, wind, rain, bugs 
> and mice, grass clippings, leaf rakings and whatever vegetable/fruit we 
> have of our own, local farmers market and things we find really cheep on 
> sale.  They love it all.
>
> Susan
> dogwoodfarm at verizon.net
>>
>
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