Thursday, September 6, 2012

Morning Chores

I thought today I would take pictures while Smooshy and I did morning chores.

First thing, I turned the eggs in the incubator, they seem to be doing well.
 Next I checked on the baby chicks, most of them hatched out on Monday, they are pretty sensitive for the first couple weeks so you have to be careful the temperature is good and they don't run out of food or water.
 Sadie loves them! She is super gentle with the poultry.
 Nice, healthy baby.

After breakfast I put Smooshy into the Mei Tai, I would never get anything done without it.

We fed and watered big chickens first, here are some pictures of our laying flock. We just added a bunch of new pullets so the mix is quite eclectic, we have Silver, Golden and Blue laced Wyandottes, Ameraucana (Easter Eggers), black Autralorps and some crosses.

 Here is one of the Ameraucana roos, he is cool but I don't think we are going to keep him.

These are the new Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, I really like them. The big chickens stay in their pen for the morning to keep them (the bad Ameraucanas mostly) from laying eggs in the barn, I let them out in the afternoon so they get to free range most of the day.

 Next we went to the small coop to feed and water the little chicks, they are always happy to get their daily greens and I feel it makes a big difference in their health. The larger Ameraucana is a one eyed bird someone gave to us, she gets to play nanny since the big birds pick on her.

 These are some Holland chickens we got in a trade, they are cool but but laying yet and are totally freaked out by people. The roo is supposed to be really mean and aggressive but hasn't acted it yet, they will be transitioned to the big coop soon.

We just finished up painting the little coop, looks nice! especially considering as of this spring it only had three walls.

Joy and Baby Horse waiting for their hay, unfortunately with the drought and paddock stress from having three horses I have had to feed hay much of the summer. They get to go out and graze in the afternoon.

 Poppy and Baby Horse saying "where's our bloody breakfast!"

 Last thing is feeding and watering bunnies, in the summer they get a large amount of grass and fresh stuff, they always have free choice hay. I feel that is especially important for the Angoras as they can get wool block and die.
 This is my cutie pie Silver Fox, she is growing nicely.
So that is it! I let the horses and chickens on pasture during the afternoon and horses get an evening "graining", doing chores in the winter is a little more work.

Monday, September 3, 2012

ZOMG!!!!!!!!!!

I HAVE CHICKIES HATCHING.

After fussing with the incubator for 21 days, my babies are hatching.

first egg pipping

first chick! fresh out of the egg!
Hatching eggs is super fun and I'm getting some Silkie eggs in a couple days, squeeeee!