Animal News

I have moved my log about the chickens to a new page. I didn't want to delete it as it's kind of fun to remember the events.

9/27 The chickens have really started laying! We are getting about 5 eggs a day. Of course, Lil'Puff is the only one not laying yet. We have gotten about 5 "double yolks" so far...we'd like to believe it's due to healthy/happy chickens. Folklore says it's good luck!

11/6 Good news..."Lil'Puff" started laying! Somedays we get 6 eggs a day! All the "girls" are doing well! If you don't know chickens...I just noticed I really need to update their photos...they all have red combs on top of their heads now (some rather LARGE!). They are also much much fatter! (except for Parmesan, she is the smallest and most petite.)

2/24 Our chickens have faithfully layed eggs all winter long. We average about 4 eggs a day. They don't seem to mind the cold but the WIND is a pest! On those really really cold nights we did put a little heater in their coop and they just all bundled up together when they slept. We felt bad for their feet walking on the ice and snow. We have noticed that the yolks in their eggs are n ot quite as orange as they were. We think it's because they're not eating as many bugs and grass. I know the girls are looking forward to spring like everyone else. I am planning a birthday party for them in April We are having a neighborhood brunch since they visit all our neighbors each day. What will I be serving? Eggs of course!

6/29 In March "Francesca" was killed by a red tailed hawk that flew into their pen. I was very upset needless to say. We have covered their pen with wire so nothing can come down from above. We never even thought of hawks as being a threat since the chickens were so big. We did have the birthday party for them in April when they turned one. I had all my neighbors and family over and we threw corn as we sang happy birthday. I know...it's kind of weird but it was fun!

8/2 Well, some bad news on the "girls". A dog got into our back yard (yes, it's fenced) and attacked the chickens. Gandalf was not hurt at all, Snickerdoodle was scared badly, and Jaslene, Lil' Puff, and Parmesan were very badly hurt. I didn't think Parmesan would make it at all. She is the smallest and had most of the feathers on her back pulled out with huge bite marks all over. To make matters worse, flies got into her wounds and laid eggs, which turned into maggots within hours. Jaslene had a two inch gash down the middle of her back and Lil'Puff had a hurt leg and most of her feathers pulled out on her back also. She was just bruised all over her back. I had a farm vet come and see them and put the 3 down my basement. The vet cleaned their wounds out and examined them. He didn't think Parmesan would make it. We went on vacation 4 days later and a good friend took care of them. The vet came back and said they all were healing well. Well, unexpectedly, Lil'Puff died during the week. We can only assume she had internal injuries. I was shocked and very sad...she was my favorite chicken. We are back from vacation and Jaslene and Parmesan look great. They are still down the basement but we did take them outside for a bit yesterday. Their wounds need to be scabbed over so flies don't lay eggs again before they can stay outside. I'm sure they will be outside again soon with Snickerdoodle and Gandalf. We have been keeping them in their pen almost all the time. Before we let them roam around the back yard but now I'm too scared a dog (that dog) will come back. We don't know whose dog it is but I'm sure we will find out someday.

8/21 So the "girls" are doing well! Parmesan worried us a bit when we put her back in the pen with Gandalf and Snickerdoodle. She was listless and not her usual spunky self. She's better now and her feathers are growing back. It looks really weird- like little porcupine quills. Jaslene is fine...although she has lost her "leader" spot to Gandalf who is a huge bully now. In a flock there is always a leader and there really is a "pecking order". Gandalf is 1, Jaslene is 2, Snickerdoodle is 3, and Parmesan is 4 but Parmesan doesn't always know it! Jaslene was number 1 before she got hurt. They stay in their pen most of the day now but we let them out around dinner time when we can watch them. I'm still paranoid about something getting in the yard. Parmesan and Jaslene have still not laid any eggs since the attack. I know stress disrupts their cycle but we are hoping they will begin again soon.

9/2 Jaslene started laying about a week and half ago and Parmesan laid her first egg since the attack today. She hadn't laid eggs for about 6 weeks! We are very happy to have everyone back to normal. Parmesan's feathers are growing back and her back is all covered. We still give them lots of treats like corn, rice, and pasta.

large view Busy working	large view The coop and pen
large view The Birthday Party	large view Parmesan
large view My sweet Lil'Puff	large view Jaslene in the house!