Nah, not me.....
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Did you know...
Did you know that if you don't wash your eggs as soon as you take them out of the coop they will stay fresher for a much longer period of time?
There is a protective coating on every egg called "bloom" and that prevents air from penetrating the shell.
If you wash your eggs right away, the bloom is removed and your eggs will begin to loose their freshness. Some prefer to wash the eggs as soon as they are collected then wipe each one with a thin coat of vegetable oil before putting them in the fridge. I've read that heavily coated eggs can be stored in a cool place for up to two months.
(Don't think I'd want to try it though)!
Of course if there is 'dirt' and feathers stuck on mine, they get washed and are used before the others.
There is a protective coating on every egg called "bloom" and that prevents air from penetrating the shell.
If you wash your eggs right away, the bloom is removed and your eggs will begin to loose their freshness. Some prefer to wash the eggs as soon as they are collected then wipe each one with a thin coat of vegetable oil before putting them in the fridge. I've read that heavily coated eggs can be stored in a cool place for up to two months.
(Don't think I'd want to try it though)!
Of course if there is 'dirt' and feathers stuck on mine, they get washed and are used before the others.
| Sometimes you get an egg already decorated! |
Friday, June 28, 2013
Surprise!
The coop needs a really good clean-out. Because Nina spends the entire day and night in the coop, it is pretty darn poopy in there.
I go through the nest box hatch and pick up Nina to put her in the pen. When I lift her up, I see Lucy's and Ethel's eggs! How in the world did they get into Nina's nesting box?
Since I have no idea how long she has been sitting on them, they have to be thrown out.
While the rest of the coop is being cleaned, I find two more eggs in one of the corners.
Now I have to go find hubby to see if he is playing a joke on me...
I go through the nest box hatch and pick up Nina to put her in the pen. When I lift her up, I see Lucy's and Ethel's eggs! How in the world did they get into Nina's nesting box?
Since I have no idea how long she has been sitting on them, they have to be thrown out.
While the rest of the coop is being cleaned, I find two more eggs in one of the corners.
Now I have to go find hubby to see if he is playing a joke on me...
Thursday, June 27, 2013
There is peace in Coopville.
There is peace in Coopville.
Oscar checks in on Nina often, but leaves her alone most of the day. So do I. She sure ain't much fun to be around lately. Since she refuses to come out, I put a small dish of food in the coop for her. And there is always fresh water, too.
Frisky Oscar still plays cowboy with Lucy and Ethel, though. The bald spots on their heads are getting bigger, but the little hussies don't seem to mind too much.
My early mornings are filled with Oscar crowing and Lucy and Evil One cackling. Don't know why - their nest box is empty again. I hope we don't have go to town just to get eggs.
How embarrassing.....
Oscar checks in on Nina often, but leaves her alone most of the day. So do I. She sure ain't much fun to be around lately. Since she refuses to come out, I put a small dish of food in the coop for her. And there is always fresh water, too.
Frisky Oscar still plays cowboy with Lucy and Ethel, though. The bald spots on their heads are getting bigger, but the little hussies don't seem to mind too much.
My early mornings are filled with Oscar crowing and Lucy and Evil One cackling. Don't know why - their nest box is empty again. I hope we don't have go to town just to get eggs.
How embarrassing.....
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Now that Summer is here, they way you take care of your flock definitely changes!
Heat can kill your chickens. Fast. They should always have an area that will offer them some shade. When they get too hot, you will notice them panting and walking with their wings outstretched. They are telling you they are uncomfortable. Make sure you always have lots of cool water for them to drink. You can even throw a couple of ice cubes in the waterer, too!
Mine have plenty of shade under the trees. However, I sill make water puddles in the run for them so they can cool their skinny tootsies off. Lucy loves the mud (but not the rain) and just shakes off the mud when it dries.
Since I am retired, I have all day to keep an eye on them. If you are working or will be gone for the day, you can always freeze some milk containers or those freeze packs the night before and place them around where you keep your girls. When they get hot, they will sit down next to the containers and cool off. You can also put some in the coop.
It doesn't take a lot of time to do and your chickens will be much happier and healthier!
Heat can kill your chickens. Fast. They should always have an area that will offer them some shade. When they get too hot, you will notice them panting and walking with their wings outstretched. They are telling you they are uncomfortable. Make sure you always have lots of cool water for them to drink. You can even throw a couple of ice cubes in the waterer, too!
Mine have plenty of shade under the trees. However, I sill make water puddles in the run for them so they can cool their skinny tootsies off. Lucy loves the mud (but not the rain) and just shakes off the mud when it dries.
Since I am retired, I have all day to keep an eye on them. If you are working or will be gone for the day, you can always freeze some milk containers or those freeze packs the night before and place them around where you keep your girls. When they get hot, they will sit down next to the containers and cool off. You can also put some in the coop.
It doesn't take a lot of time to do and your chickens will be much happier and healthier!
Now there are no eggs in the nest box from Lucy and
Ethel.
Maybe they are getting even with me for buying Oscar and Nina? They still cackle each morning like they always did, but do not deliver their golden gifts.
I give up on Nina. If she wants to come out of the coop - fine. If she doesn't - fine. Sooner or later she will get hungry.
Maybe I'll see if one of the farms around here will
take them. For free. And I'll deliver 'em, too.
Stupid chickens.....
Stupid chickens.....
This seems to be the routine every day now:
I remove Nina from the coop
and put in the pen to eat. She doesn't. She rushes back to her nest to sit on her
egg but it is gone – because I took it!
She is very angry. (No, I really
mean: pissed)!
She'll spent the rest of the day looking for that darn egg!
If I don't remove Ethel's and Lucy's eggs right away, she will sit on them.
They do not like her in their nest and will peck at her until she
moves into her own. I put her outside again and she finds a rock and sits on that.
She is possessed.......
She is possessed.......
A-ha! I knew it !
What a relief! I've been thinking I might be
getting old......
Thank goodness for studies like this. It's not our age, it's the damn doors!Ever walk into a room with some purpose in mind only to completely
forget what that purpose was?
It turns out that doors themselves are to blame for those strange
memory lapses.
Psychologists at the University of Notre Dame have discovered that passing through a doorway triggers what's known as "Event Boundary" in the mind, separating one set of thoughts and memories from the next. Your brain files away the thoughts you had in the previous room and prepares a blank slate for the new locale.
Nina has gone totally 'broody' on me.
And is meaner than a wet hen... Nasty, nasty, nasty.
I have to lift her off her one little egg each day and put her in the pen to eat. I had read about broody hens, but have never seen one. Until now.
They are horrible to deal with if you don't want to have more chickens. She bites me all the time.
I don't like her too much anymore, either. Nina is sooo lucky she is cute.
Otherwise......
And is meaner than a wet hen... Nasty, nasty, nasty.
I have to lift her off her one little egg each day and put her in the pen to eat. I had read about broody hens, but have never seen one. Until now.
They are horrible to deal with if you don't want to have more chickens. She bites me all the time.
I don't like her too much anymore, either. Nina is sooo lucky she is cute.
Otherwise......
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| Don;t ever mess with Granny! |
The following day I just let them out early and go back to the house to get some work done. (It's dust bunny round up time)
When I go out to clean the pen, all four are walking around behaving nicely. Looks like it's going to be a good day! For a change.
I lift up the nest lid and there are three eggs in one nest! Maybe Nina did hers on top of Lucy's and Ethel's? Nah! But only her egg is still warm. Nina hates Lucy and Ethel and they hate her and I know they would never nest together.....
Well, I'm not going to worry about it - as long as I get three eggs a day and there are no loose feathers floating around. Such nice chickens! I think they deserve a treat.
.
When I go out to clean the pen, all four are walking around behaving nicely. Looks like it's going to be a good day! For a change.
I lift up the nest lid and there are three eggs in one nest! Maybe Nina did hers on top of Lucy's and Ethel's? Nah! But only her egg is still warm. Nina hates Lucy and Ethel and they hate her and I know they would never nest together.....
Well, I'm not going to worry about it - as long as I get three eggs a day and there are no loose feathers floating around. Such nice chickens! I think they deserve a treat.
.
The next morning Lucy and Ethel are cackling, so I know their eggs are there.
After a second cup of coffee I go and let them all out. Even Nina comes out to eat. I lift the nest box lid and see Nina's little egg in her nest but Lucy's and Ethel's are on the floor of the coop!
Both of them are together right in front of their nest box.
Weird .
Maybe because I didn't didn't let them out at the crack of dawn today, the eggs got shoved out of the nest in their mad rush to the door?
Lucy and Ethel have never cared about their eggs. They lay 'em and leave 'em and act like they are glad the whole process is over for the day.
Guess I shouldn't let them out late anymore.....
After a second cup of coffee I go and let them all out. Even Nina comes out to eat. I lift the nest box lid and see Nina's little egg in her nest but Lucy's and Ethel's are on the floor of the coop!
Both of them are together right in front of their nest box.
Weird .
Maybe because I didn't didn't let them out at the crack of dawn today, the eggs got shoved out of the nest in their mad rush to the door?
Lucy and Ethel have never cared about their eggs. They lay 'em and leave 'em and act like they are glad the whole process is over for the day.
Guess I shouldn't let them out late anymore.....
Nina is getting to be a royal pain in the arse..
I took Lucy's, Ethel's and Nina's eggs out of the nest box. Nina was in the doorway and came charging at my hand and bit me. I grabbed her and put her in the run with Oscar. Ethel and Lucy are happy to have the pen and the coop to themselves. For a while.
Oscar is happy he has at least one hen to pester. I put extra food and water in the run for for them. Nina is not happy and bites him. Poor Oscar seems to have his wings full......
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| Poor Oscar! |
Chickens are S.T.U.P.I.D.
The next morning I went to the coop to get breakfast. I let them all out - even Nina decided to eat with the rest. Maybe she is finally over her snit.
Opened the lid on the nest box and there were only two eggs in the first nest box and they were both Nina's! She must have buried yesterday's egg in the straw. No eggs from Lucy and Ethel were to be seen. Oh well, maybe they will lay them later.
Went back after lunch to see if they did what chickens are supposed to do. Lifted up the lid again and now their eggs were in Nina's next box! Odd, because Nina will not use Ethel's and Lucy's. (they both use the same one - all the time)
Are Lucy and Evil one trying to move into Nina's nest??
Opened the lid on the nest box and there were only two eggs in the first nest box and they were both Nina's! She must have buried yesterday's egg in the straw. No eggs from Lucy and Ethel were to be seen. Oh well, maybe they will lay them later.
Went back after lunch to see if they did what chickens are supposed to do. Lifted up the lid again and now their eggs were in Nina's next box! Odd, because Nina will not use Ethel's and Lucy's. (they both use the same one - all the time)
Are Lucy and Evil one trying to move into Nina's nest??
Little Nina has not come out of the coop to eat breakfast (again).
I open the nest box lid and see her laying there. Doing absolutely nothing. She gives me a very dirty look, so I don't bother to pick her up. Not in the mood to get bitten.
I figure she'll go out to eat later. She isn't skinny, so food is getting in there!
While I'm there I might as well get the other two eggs. I see Lucy's egg there but not Ethel's.
Now this is two days in a row that I haven't gotten an egg from Nina and Ethel. Maybe Oscar is bothering them too much. I put him in the run and close the gate to the pen. He does not like it, but maybe it will give the girls a rest.
I'm down to a dozen eggs. There had better be more tomorrow......
I open the nest box lid and see her laying there. Doing absolutely nothing. She gives me a very dirty look, so I don't bother to pick her up. Not in the mood to get bitten.
I figure she'll go out to eat later. She isn't skinny, so food is getting in there!
While I'm there I might as well get the other two eggs. I see Lucy's egg there but not Ethel's.
Now this is two days in a row that I haven't gotten an egg from Nina and Ethel. Maybe Oscar is bothering them too much. I put him in the run and close the gate to the pen. He does not like it, but maybe it will give the girls a rest.
I'm down to a dozen eggs. There had better be more tomorrow......
Sunday, June 16, 2013
How to make chicken stock - the easy way!
Ingredients:***
What is left of your chicken from that delicious dinner. (All of it except the stuffing)
A big pot filled with enough water to cover the " boid".
Add:
1 large onion - cut up into chunks
2 stalks of celery - cut up in pieces
1 carrot - sliced (if you have one)
1 or 2 garlic cloves - your choice, depends how much you like garlic
Salt and pepper to taste (I use fresh ground)
I throw in some coriander, also - about 1/2 tsp.
A couple of bay leaves. (all the spices give it a nice flavor)
Throw everything into the pot, bring to a boil, then quickly turn down to medium-low. Let it cook on a back burner for a couple of hours. Stir occasionally and add a little water if necessary.
When the meat start to fall off the bones - it's done.
Use a colander to strain everything into another pot. Pick the meat off the bones (please watch out for the tiny rib ones) and add to the stock.
When it cools down, skim off any fat. I usually put in canning jars and freeze it for later use. Don't fill them all the way to the top - leave about an inch of space at the top of jar.
This will make an excellent starter for homemade chicken soup or add some of the broth when you make mashed potatoes. It gives them a really nice kick!
Enjoy!
***Important notice: None of MY chickens were used in the making of this broth.
Ingredients:***
What is left of your chicken from that delicious dinner. (All of it except the stuffing)
A big pot filled with enough water to cover the " boid".
Add:
1 large onion - cut up into chunks
2 stalks of celery - cut up in pieces
1 carrot - sliced (if you have one)
1 or 2 garlic cloves - your choice, depends how much you like garlic
Salt and pepper to taste (I use fresh ground)
I throw in some coriander, also - about 1/2 tsp.
A couple of bay leaves. (all the spices give it a nice flavor)
Throw everything into the pot, bring to a boil, then quickly turn down to medium-low. Let it cook on a back burner for a couple of hours. Stir occasionally and add a little water if necessary.
When the meat start to fall off the bones - it's done.
Use a colander to strain everything into another pot. Pick the meat off the bones (please watch out for the tiny rib ones) and add to the stock.
When it cools down, skim off any fat. I usually put in canning jars and freeze it for later use. Don't fill them all the way to the top - leave about an inch of space at the top of jar.
This will make an excellent starter for homemade chicken soup or add some of the broth when you make mashed potatoes. It gives them a really nice kick!
Enjoy!
***Important notice: None of MY chickens were used in the making of this broth.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Since Ethel is covered in goop, Oscar is really bothering little Nina. She is such a cute little hen, but very feisty. (In other words: nasty)
She still bites me when I try to take her egg out of the nest. She bites me when I take Lucy's and Ethel's eggs out of the nest. I wish she would spend more time in the pen. I keep checking her to make sure she isn't sick, but she is fine. I guess she prefers the coop to being outside.
Lucy and Ethel always cackle when when they lay eggs. I hear them and I know breakfast is ready.
I go out to the coop and Nina is sitting in her usual spot, but there is only one egg in the other box. Now I know I heard two distinct cackles. After a while you CAN tell them apart.
Now that is very strange......
| Only one egg! |
Things have been going quite good. They have me trained very well.
I still have to break up the occasional fight once in a while, but everyone settles down quickly.
Only the Evil One and little Nina are being pestered by Oscar all the time. Lucy can run faster, so she's pretty much left alone during the day - Oscar gets her in the coop. Ethel is getting a really big bald spot on her head and back from him, so she is smeared with my colorful blue vaseline goop.
Oh, how I wish I had taken pictures!
I still have to break up the occasional fight once in a while, but everyone settles down quickly.
Only the Evil One and little Nina are being pestered by Oscar all the time. Lucy can run faster, so she's pretty much left alone during the day - Oscar gets her in the coop. Ethel is getting a really big bald spot on her head and back from him, so she is smeared with my colorful blue vaseline goop.
Oh, how I wish I had taken pictures!
They are a lot of work, but I enjoy them so much. Stupid, silly chickens............
Have I ever mentioned I want more?
FLAG DAY - JUNE 14, 2013
What do each of the symbols of the US flag mean?
The U.S. flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which said that the flag would be made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Stars have been added to the flag as new states join the union. Currently, the flag contains 50 stars.
Ever wonder why the flag is red, white, and blue?
While the flag's colors did not have a specific meaning at the time,
the colors were significant for the Great Seal of 1782.
- White: Signifies purity and innocence
- Red: Signifies valor and bravery
- Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Why stars and stripes? Stars are considered a symbol
of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time
immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from
the sun.
Enjoying my flock!
Seems with all the extra room things are getting better.
They still fight when I put them in at night, though. Evil Ethel won't let Oscar perch by the door, his favorite spot. She bites his feet until he moves. Nina stays in the nest box if they pick on her too much.
Getting three fresh eggs a day is really nice and I can share them with our neighbors.
Here's a good recipe for one heck of a big, hearty breakfast :
2 large boiled potatoes (or use a can of sliced potatoes, drained)
6 slices of BACON! chopped
1 small onion, chopped
6 large eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1/2 tsp of salt
Ground pepper (to taste)
Fry the bacon until crisp (you are allowed to taste to see if it is done). Pour off some of the fat. Add the onion and fry for a few minutes. Dice the boiled potatoes or use the canned and add to the bacon and onions; fry slowly until browned. Beat eggs in a small bowl. Add milk, salt and pepper to the eggs. Mix again and pour over the potatoes and onions. Cook, stirring often until eggs are set. Serve with coffee, biscuits or toast.
You won't leave the table hungry - enjoy!
Someone removed my picture
Seems with all the extra room things are getting better.
They still fight when I put them in at night, though. Evil Ethel won't let Oscar perch by the door, his favorite spot. She bites his feet until he moves. Nina stays in the nest box if they pick on her too much.
Getting three fresh eggs a day is really nice and I can share them with our neighbors.
Here's a good recipe for one heck of a big, hearty breakfast :
2 large boiled potatoes (or use a can of sliced potatoes, drained)
6 slices of BACON! chopped
1 small onion, chopped
6 large eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1/2 tsp of salt
Ground pepper (to taste)
Fry the bacon until crisp (you are allowed to taste to see if it is done). Pour off some of the fat. Add the onion and fry for a few minutes. Dice the boiled potatoes or use the canned and add to the bacon and onions; fry slowly until browned. Beat eggs in a small bowl. Add milk, salt and pepper to the eggs. Mix again and pour over the potatoes and onions. Cook, stirring often until eggs are set. Serve with coffee, biscuits or toast.
You won't leave the table hungry - enjoy!
Someone removed my picture
Food.....
As you have probably guessed by now, my chickens are spoiled rotten. They have a great place to live and do what chickens normally do. I'm lucky that they eat just about anything I give them. Not picky at all. Of course they get the morning meal of crumble (which is a complete meal for them) and always have fresh water throughout the day.
They also eat scraps of lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, spaghetti, fruit and rice. I also give them a small dish of milk or yogurt for calcium every once in a while. They also love pieces of chicken and pork chops!
Sometimes when I have just too many eggs, I'll throw one or two in the pen for them to eat. Lucy, Ethel and Nina have never cannibalized their own eggs, though.
In the winter, it often goes below zero here, so they also get a little bit of warm, plain oatmeal.
My chicken live a pretty good life. Yes, they do!
OK, I give up!
Not going to worry if they murder each other - they are just chickens, right?
The next morning I open the coop and let all of them out. The chick hutch gets dragged out of the pen again and put behind a shed. It will be good for storing the chicken stuff.
All four can now use the pen, coop and run all of the time. They will never, ever get along, so I just have to keep watching they don't hurt each other. Oscar and Nina still bite me though if I try to pick them up.
Surprisingly, they seem to enjoy all the extra space. Maybe that was the problem - not enough room.
The fenced in run gives them a chance to take dirt baths, which all chickens love doing. Evil One and Lucy are tame enough to free range around in the grass for most of the day (I can still catch them) and it keeps them out of trouble..
Seems as if things MAY work out after all!
Not going to worry if they murder each other - they are just chickens, right?
The next morning I open the coop and let all of them out. The chick hutch gets dragged out of the pen again and put behind a shed. It will be good for storing the chicken stuff.
All four can now use the pen, coop and run all of the time. They will never, ever get along, so I just have to keep watching they don't hurt each other. Oscar and Nina still bite me though if I try to pick them up.
Surprisingly, they seem to enjoy all the extra space. Maybe that was the problem - not enough room.
The fenced in run gives them a chance to take dirt baths, which all chickens love doing. Evil One and Lucy are tame enough to free range around in the grass for most of the day (I can still catch them) and it keeps them out of trouble..
Seems as if things MAY work out after all!
Poor widdle Oscar!
He can't get to the hens and he just doesn't shut up and tries to fly over the fence.. The neighbors come over to see what all the racket is about. (They thought the run was a good idea, too). It's amazing how much noise he can make!
Nina, Ethel and Lucy run to the pen's gate to see if all the people standing around are going to give them treats. They love treats.
No treats from anyone. Now they start jumping up and down and squawking. Sounds like I have forty chickens instead of just four.
Hubby comes over and just shakes his head (again, silently saying: "I told you so"). He walks the neighbors home and stays for a couple of beers. I need more than a beer.
I give up and let Oscar back in with the girls. He starts chasing them all over the pen. He is a very happy rooster. Nina makes a mad dash to the coop and Oscar follows her. Lucy and Ethel jump up on the branch, still squawking - they aren't taking any chances....
Not a good day at all. Nope.
He can't get to the hens and he just doesn't shut up and tries to fly over the fence.. The neighbors come over to see what all the racket is about. (They thought the run was a good idea, too). It's amazing how much noise he can make!
Nina, Ethel and Lucy run to the pen's gate to see if all the people standing around are going to give them treats. They love treats.
No treats from anyone. Now they start jumping up and down and squawking. Sounds like I have forty chickens instead of just four.
Hubby comes over and just shakes his head (again, silently saying: "I told you so"). He walks the neighbors home and stays for a couple of beers. I need more than a beer.
I give up and let Oscar back in with the girls. He starts chasing them all over the pen. He is a very happy rooster. Nina makes a mad dash to the coop and Oscar follows her. Lucy and Ethel jump up on the branch, still squawking - they aren't taking any chances....
Not a good day at all. Nope.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Yuck! Yesterday was clean-up day after the heavy rains we had on Friday.
The pen was a stinky, muddy mess!
Had to scrape and shovel all the wet hay, wood chips and poop out of the pen..
Took less than an hour from start to finish and my chickens stay clean, dry and healthy!
The pen was a stinky, muddy mess!
Had to scrape and shovel all the wet hay, wood chips and poop out of the pen..
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| That's Charlie, my current rooster and Lucy. More about him at a later date! |
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| The best $4.95 you'll ever spend. |
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| Chips down first. |
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| Then nice fresh hay. |
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| This is the muck just from the pen. |
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| Now you know why this Grandma wears work boots! |
Took less than an hour from start to finish and my chickens stay clean, dry and healthy!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
The next morning I put water and some feed in the run. I let everyone out to eat.
When he isn't looking, I grab Oscar and put him in the run.
He is curious and wanders around looking for stuff to eat, scratching the dirt and loving the freedom from the pen. Until he realizes he can't get to the hens!
Casanova is not a happy camper at all. He starts crowing and crowing. The girls just look at him and go back to eating.
Oscar is one P.O.'d little rooster!
When he isn't looking, I grab Oscar and put him in the run.
He is curious and wanders around looking for stuff to eat, scratching the dirt and loving the freedom from the pen. Until he realizes he can't get to the hens!
Casanova is not a happy camper at all. He starts crowing and crowing. The girls just look at him and go back to eating.
Oscar is one P.O.'d little rooster!