Predators Coming Around - Probably Raccoons

One of my pet chickens was attacked a few days ago, pretty sure its a sign that there are raccoons in the area again. I've set out (humane) traps, so far, nothing. She's perking up now, and looks like she's gonna make it. Poor little thing.

Whatever it was reached through the fence and grabbed her, glad I was home . . . heard the commotion and got outside right away. It took off. Last time I caught a raccoon, I transported it waaaay up in the mountains on a logging road - that'll be tough right now, because of snow.

If anyone who's ordered my well dressed chicken models from The Runway Chicks (note cards - or tee shirts, etc.) is reading this, just want to say "Thank You". It's a partnership between me and my 'fashionista" business partner (she says designing the little outfits and hand sewing them is "so relaxing and fun") she's planning a "Runway Chicks of the Month" program, at least until she runs out of ideas. It was hard to guess whether they'd 'catch on', but the signs are good so far.
Anyway, the little bit of profit helps to pay the website expenses and all, so I appreciate it very much!

If you haven't had a chance to see them yet, just go on over to http://therunwaychicks.com. They really are cute!

Pet Chickens Asked to Model Fashionable Attire! Sneak Peek - but act fast

Okay, this is going to sound a little weird . . . you ready?  Well, it was a day like any other - full of drudgery (ahem, don't tell my boss!) when out of the blue I got the call.
My friend wanted to know if she could use my (rather tame) chickens to model some fashionable creations. Uh, really??! "Yes" she said. She told me this story:
She'd seen a sign at a county fair in the poultry 4-H quarters, announcing a contest for 'Best Dressed Chicken'. Having had a 'passion for fashion' for years, her imagination took over and she began to design and hand-sew what she insisted were "to-die-for" outfits. Along the way, she'd learned that it was a relaxing, enjoyable hobby and that it brought out her creativity. How could I not be intrigued? I mean how often could this happen in the life of an everyday habitual chicken raising enthusiast?
Here's the scoop - this is something I've become kind of excited about. The modelling session is over, and my chickens performed like born (er, hatched) professional models! Talk about cute chicks!! But, the people to see these photos first are those who've signed up at http://www.fortheloveofchickens.com . It only seems fair-they entrusted me with their first names and email addresses. Plus, I've fallen down on the job of following up, so most of them probably surmise that I died in the past few months. They'll get a broadcast about these sharply dressed chicks in just a couple of days -- if you want to be among the very first to see these photos, just click on the link above, enter your name and email address, and you'll be part of a special few. By signing up you have access to my book on fitting and showing chickens, pretty informative - though I don't like to blow my own horn (honestly).
Get it now, before you forget. They really do look awfully cute - it's gonna make you smile! Then, hope you'll give me your feedback about it.

A Pet Chicken Story

Pet Chicken Addicted kids? Someone sent me the information about the book below, thought I'd share it--sounds like a great story-and it's written by a fellow chicken enthusiast! There's a contest going on right now and you can get this book FREE! 
Click the following link to get all the details: http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2011/07/giveaway-the-true-story-of-cinderella.html  The contest ends soon, so act ASAP.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 12, 2011
We know you’ve always wanted to know the true story of Cinderella. So

Pet Chicken, Return of Black Beauty

Broody hens often disappear this time of the year, but Black Beauty never showed any signs of wanting to set. I thought she'd been caught by an owl, raccoon, or some other enemy to chickens. After a two week search, she's back.

Black Beauty is a Black Sumatra, beautiful, and a special pet. I'm happy to report she's back sharing the roost with the rest of the flock. It's always a big relief . . . a happy ending to the story.

Black Sumatra's are a fairly rare breed, they're used for showing, but aren't great egg producers. They were brought to the U.S. from the country of Sumatra.

Welcome back, Black Beauty!

Signs of an Early Spring?

A neighbor flagged me down this morning. He wanted to warn me. Seems the bears are coming out of hibernation. He said he'd just seen a 500-600 lb. one nearly across from my little homestead. Usually, they don't come out 'til at least March. Sure don't look forward to getting too close to them. A few years ago I came home from my night shift to see one on the opposite side of a crabapple tree I'd been picking from the day before.

Later today I found my rooster, Radio Flyer, out in the yard . . . again. It was sunny and warmer than it's been. He'd dug a little hole and was taking a dust bath while soaking up some sun. Obviously, it felt like Spring was well on the way for him.

 Don't really know whether it's a sign of Spring or not, but my goose laid an egg (nope, it wasn't golden), the first in a long time. I'm leaving it in the nest so she can collect some and,hopefully, raise some little goslings. My chickens are still laying a little.

An early Spring would sure be nice, but think I'll keep the snow tires on a while longer, just in case.

Feed the Hungry--Get a Free Pet

Just starting to get catalogs from the hatcheries, and thought I'd mention something that may interest you. Meyer Hatchery in Ohio (http://www.meyerhatchery.com/) is offering one free pullet with orders. What they'd like their customers to do is give the eggs from that one hen to your local foodbank. Kind of a cool way to encourage giving, and it should work well for those who like to raise chickens as pets.

Most people who keep chickens likely hand out full egg cartons without this incentive, but it is thoughtful. I don't know about you, but I just love this time of year. I send off requests for catalogs from every hatchery I see advertised and boy is it fun to look through them.

A lot of the hatcheries are on my website (the 'links to hatcheries' page) at http://fortheloveofchickens.com/. People often ask me for a reference to my favorite hatchery, but I've ordered baby chicks from many of them and have to confess I don't really have a favorite. I haven't had a bad experience with any around the country, so far. I guess maybe a good rule of thumb would be to choose one that is closer to where you live and carries the breed(s) you like best. As long as they sell chickens they're on my good list! So, not very informative, I guess.

Oh, Murray McMurray now has a blog. It's at http://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/. Yeah, I know, maybe I'm not supposed to mention a "competitor", but you should have an opportunity to benefit from all sources.

Capons, Great Thanksgiving Alternative

When the celebration of Thanksgiving finally came to our family, due to delay caused by a winter storm, the table was graced, not with the traditional turkey, but with a capon.

A capon, as you probably know is a castrated rooster. Capons not only make a delicious dinner entree, they make great pet chickens, too. If you love the looks of a rooster grazing with the hens in your yard, but are worried it may not be child friendly, a capon is the perfect solution.

They're easy to tame, and you'll enjoy having one -- it's a harmless addition that'll make your flock seem "complete".

Share your thoughts on this below, if you wish.

Cleaning Out the Chicken Coop

Some people I used to know quite well came by the other day, saw me outside working and somehow the conversation turned to cleaning a chicken coop. These are not rural people, but they have become interested in getting a few chickens for their corner-lot suburban backyard. They've gotten to the point of checking the laws in their area and got the go-ahead to raise chickens.

They were aghast to hear about the Deep Litter System of chicken coop management. Like a lot of people who are new to raising chickens, they were shocked. They thought a chicken house would need to be completely cleaned out frequently, much like a hamster's cage inside the home. Having a pet hamster really was their only frame of reference to caring for animals. The primary reason they were prepared to jump into the chicken raising hobby was that they'd heard it was "green" and "sustainable".

The Deep Litter Method of managing chicken manure means you're actually allowing the combination of bedding and chicken poop to compost right in the chicken coop. You clean the coop out just once or twice a year. A complete cleaning includes the use of a bucket of water and bleach solution, inspection and treatment for any parasite issues, and completion of any needed repairs to the building.

After the facility is clean, it's time to spread four to six inches of bedding (shavings, straw, or hay). After you put your chickens back in the coop, their manure, which is high in nitrogen will mix with the bedding and you end up with usable compost (providing the floor of your coop is the ground, otherwise more composting will be needed before using the mixture as plant fertilizer). When you throw out scratch in the coop the chickens will scratch around and keep the mixture aerated. Maintain it for them, too, by adding extra bedding and 'turning' the mixture periodically.

This is a great method for your birds and is convenient for you, too. The compost heats up and keeps your chickens warm throughout the cold winter. Since its had time to break down, it's okay to spread it onto your garden plot. It also provides your chickens with microbes that are beneficial to their health. Nothing 'dirty' about this method, though beginners are often apprehensive about it.

Pet Chickens, Voting For Liberty

Really, how can I speak for my pet chickens and what they might vote for? I can't. But, it's not hard to figure out their favorite treat-of-the-day. They obviously love the extra lettuce I had, thanks to expected company not being able to make it for Sunday dinner.

If they did vote, the chickens might be appalled by all the people who disrespect the privilege by simply not participating. So many of them who just have no enthusiasm for taking part. Unlike people in some countries who've become liberated after years of struggle, then couldn't wait to get to the polls . . . even when doing so might put them in danger.

But enough about one of the most valuable privileges known to humankind. This blog is all about participating in another freedom . . . engaging in the hobby of raising chickens. In some cities that right doesn't exist, but when people have realized they were empowered to change that sad fact they've banded together and in many cases have managed to change the law in their favor.  That act was followed by an influx of new citizens . . . the feathered kind we all enjoy so much. The magic of a representative democracy . . . hope we don't lose ours through inaction.

You exercised your individual right to vote, though, didn't you?

Tame Chickens are Like Puppies

My (somewhat) new puppy follows me everywhere . . . back and forth as I feed and water my chickens, around the property as I dream up improvements to the 'ol homestead, and while I check on Goosey and Lucy, the geese and pet rabbit , Petal.

She's not alone, though. At any given time there are at least three hens and my rooster, Radio Flyer traipsing along just behind her. My neighbors get a good laugh, especially when I nearly fall on the little entourage as I forget something and do a sudden about-face.

They can't figure out how I get the chickens to become so tame, but I know it's the frequent handling, the offers of snacks, and the fact that I treat them as pets. Some people get chickens, keep themselves continuously separated from them by a fence, then wonder why they're flighty when they're taken to a show to be judged.

Chickens aren't the most intelligent of the animal kingdom, but they do seem to have an awareness and instinct about their environment and the humans and animals available to interact with. Once you gain their trust, it's almost impossible to keep them away from you. . . even when they're interfering with your productivity.

Giving your chickens just a little extra attention every day will turn them into loyal fun pets for years to come.  You've probably proven that yourself if you've been raising chickens very long.

Chickens are Doing Well Today, People in the Right Place, Wrong time

Back home after working a few overtime hours. Felt kind of anxious about what I might find, but my chickens and other 'family members' are fine. There's something about witnessing an accident that jars you and makes you realize there are no guarantees.

There I was, driving down the highway, country music station taking me to memories past. Then I saw the car at the side of the road, no blinker on, but the driver was looking back, as if preparing to turn back onto the road. Problem was, I could see the motorcycle in her blind spot . . . she was going to hit it!. I screamed, "don't do it!", but of course she did.

Pet Chickens and the Labor Day Weekend

Do you think they consider what they do to be 'work'? All that scratching around for bugs and worms, the stress of maintaining their position in the social pecking order, keeping watch and sounding the alarm when predators are near, watching over the young ones.

This probably sounds like someone has a little too much time on their hands, but seriously, has it ever struck you how similar the lives of chickens are to those of us humans?

We go to our respective jobs to scratch up the 'ole mortgage payment, utilities and food, interact in a sometimes stressful group at work and in our family relationships, attempt to stay safe by getting vaccinations, purchasing insurance, getting medical checkups, and reporting suspicious goings on to the authorities. And, rather than leaving our offspring to fend for themselves after just six weeks, we spend at least 20 years molding their characters, supporting their goals, and paying for their education.

Wow, makes me tired just thinking about all that!

Time to rest up and recuperate, it's Labor Day weekend. Hope you do the same!

My Pet Chicken Family, Adoptions Coming Up

Well, it's official, out of the dozen eggs my hen Henrietta was setting on, just five hatched.  My closest neighbors stopped by and she and her babies have now been spoken for. As soon as the baby chicks are 'raised', they'll all move down the road to their new home. All the babies look exactly like Barred Rocks, they're all healthy and the neighbors have been wanting a good mama hen for awhile now. Of course,I have visitation rights, will be fun to see all the babies after they're full grown. All pullets, from the looks of it.

Also, my neighbors bought several more of my menagerie for her boss, who runs a motel and restaurant at a tourist village a few miles away. He has a quality facility for them and features home grown eggs on his restaurant menu. He's right on the main highway and does a lot of business, especially during tourist season while the highway is open.

Getting another fellow worker into the hobby of raising chickens, too. He and his family are coming over this weekend to choose a 'baker's dozen' , twelve hens and one rooster. They want a good variety, so have come to the right place. I'm looking forward to showing them around. He's been building a chicken house and ordered all his supplies from Jeffers, through my website. That was nice of him, but he didn't do it entirely to be nice, he says he got a great deal.

I'll still keep my laying hens, some I've had as pets for several years and they still lay an egg every few days. I know, it's not financially "wise" to keep the hens so long, but here's how I look at it. Raising chickens is my hobby. I don't drink, gamble, eat out a lot or do anything else (well, except for buying chicken magazines and books) that the majority of people would consider wasteful, so I don't feel that keeping a few hens as pets for all their natural life is such a bad thing. They're about as special as my dog, cat, and rabbit.

If you're a die hard chicken hobbyist, maybe you'll understand. If not, well then, I'm still in the minority. Boy, I sound boring, don't I? Not bored, though.

Chickens Who Win - Characteristics to Note

Ever wandered through the poultry section at your county fair, looked at the prizes won by the many exhibitors and thought either, "now why didn't that one get a prize?" or, "what's so special about that bird?"

Well, it's the little things that count. And sometimes people forget to inspect their entries and compare all the minute details to The American Standard of Perfection. Poultry judging is done on a points scale, and everything is taken into consideration. An entry can lose points for having:

• too many toes for the breed
• a broken toenail
• an incorrect eye color
• a broken feather
• the wrong leg color
• an extra sprig in the comb,

and many other traits that can bring what to many appears to be beautiful and perfect in every way, down to white ribbon (or no ribbon at all) status.

It pays for exhibitors to dutifully study each of the details in the Standard before deciding to show a particular bird.

Whether your entry is tame enough not to struggle when the judge picks it up, and the effort put into grooming can make a great difference, too.

On my website I've offered a free report with fitting and showing tips. You're welcome to download it, probably will be helpful, especially if you're new to fitting and showing.

Chicken Decor -- Is It Possible to Have Too Much?

There's a good reason why this post is a little off subject. For the last week and a half, I've been unpacking. A little slow, since I've lived in my house nearly four years, just hadn't gotten around to the spare bedroom . . . er, storage room. Anyway, two dozen boxes later, I've learned that I need more walls to display all the chicken pictures and other chicken decor contained in those boxes.

My former neighbors don't come for a visit very often, and they usually visit with me outside while I'm doing my chores, but they came in for coffee last night when I invited them. I sort of looked forward to compliments since I'd just done my version of a thorough cleaning (not quite up to the Navy standards I remember, but good 'nuff ), but they no sooner got in the door before Jenny blurted out "Scott, you have way too much chicken decor for the size of your house", then she pounded the nail in the coffin by adding "how can you stand it, chickens outside and inside, too."

Just for the record, the chickens outside are alive, unlike the images on the walls, statues on every available surface, and designs on a variety of textiles and linens. I answered her with a smile (okay, it may have looked a little strained) and simply said "I love chickens, doesn't bother me a bit, Jenny." While I poured the coffee, just before asking "cream or sugar?" my thoughts briefly turned to that old movie, '9 to 5' and the accidental dose of rat poisoning. Sheesh! So, my house is too small. I'm no interior decorator, and I love chickens . . . compared to some things, these don't seem like crimes.

Sorry to be sounding off, but Jenny has been bugging me for a number of years. She thinks I should hurry up and get married, for one thing, and worries that I've waited too long. She'll be as glad as I'll be when I meet the right woman, and will probably stop complaining about my lack of decorating talent, etc., too.  She surely won't want to insult my wife. Jenny's husband seems pretty used to her impromptu outbursts, so I'm happy for them both, just wish she could tone it down a bit.  

Okay, got that all out of my system. Jenny means well, she's just older than I am and (for some reason) feels responsible for steering me on the right path. Eventually, she'll throw her hands up in despair, but we'll still be good (former) neighbors and friends.

By the way, don't mean to tempt you, but have you seen the chicken decor at my website, http://fortheloveofchickens.com/ ? Because, obviously, you simply can't have too much. Did you notice how cleverly I answered my own question?

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm paid a small commission when you buy from there. A big thank you to everyone who has already done so!