I've been having a lot of trouble with my meat bird chicks. I bought 50, and as of today, I have 24 left. They've died off, or been stolen by the dog, needless to say, I'm quite miffed. So, I bought another 20 chicks last Friday - and was blessed to receive 26 in my box. In consultation with the lady who sold them to me, I decided that they were just too cold in the big barn - even with the heat lamps - so I moved them to the greenhouse. The greenhouse has a much smaller space, and no drafts, and no cement floor.
The first set are now 4 weeks old, almost to the point where I should be taking them off their feed and letting them free range, so today I had Rourke help me build a little pen on the side of the greenhouse.
We sat and watched them for about an hour, as they had a bit of chick feed to encourage them to go outside, then we watched to see what they'd do. They couldn't find their way home, so they set down for a nap right beside the feeder, but soon were pecking at the ground and at the blades of grass.
Then I went to go pick up Trent and Myles from work and came home to find HarKelev INSIDE the pen! So, she's going to stay tied up for a few days!!! But, Praise be to Adonai, all my chicks are still there!
I also have managed to get the laying hens to free range. It took a week or so for them to feel comfortable outside, but now they're foraging far and wide to fill their tummies. And they know where home is at the end of the day. Funny, just as I was going to take these pictures, the horses were coming in from the pasture. They have to go through the riding arena to get into the corral to come for a drink. It was funny to see the chickens being chased home from the riding arena by the horses.
And WAY OVER THERE, walking along the fence is Explorer. She has a set of kittens, we need to go find them tomorrow.. Linen is expecting, but I think she has another 2 weeks or so to go before she births them out.
Header Banner photo of wild oats taken by Trent. background wallpaper is my concept, but Trent's technical abilities.~~~~
I am Sombra, and these are the stories from our house. We're a Messianic family where academics often take a back seat to the work and adventure of life.
But, Praise be to Adonai, all my chicks are still there!
May. 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Praying for all my friends to have a wonderful week!
~Tamara