Bedding Them Down For Winter

So we finally got almost everyone settled into their winter pens.  I say almost everyone cause there's always going to be that one set of animals that needs to be moved it looks like.

The main flock of chickens is all set, their run roof is fixed, everyone who's supposed to be in there is settled in.  In addition to the rooster from the Meet the Cast post  there are now two other young ones, a large Buff Orpington named Roy by my husband because the rooster used to live with my horse till he got a bit older, and we would randomly see him riding the horse.  We also added a Barred Rock rooster, not named that's a sweetheart.  We had to remove our Road Island Red rooster earlier this year after he decided stalking me would be a good idea so I wanted to replace him.  I try to keep a child safe area here, and a rooster that decides he wants to attack people is one thing I will not allow.  That and since I hatch out my own chicks I like to keep fresh blood in my stock. 

The little Bantam chickens got moved into part of my veggie garden in a house for this winter.  My soil in the garden is very very sterile, it's more rocks and sand then soil right now.  I'm letting my chickens stay in it, that way they can build up the soil and work it for me.  I mix in loads of leaves into where their staying as well, and come spring I'll move them and turn over the soil and mix in more organic matter like grass clippings or wood chips. 

The only ones not ready for winter are my Rouen and Pekin ducks.  The pen I want to move the hens and the drakes I'm keeping into for the winter was damaged last spring, and we've been working on it.  Right now the only thing it needs is part of the roof replaced and several loads of leaves before everyone can move into it.  That ideally should be ready in a week or so, so my ducks can be nice and snuggly warm for winter.

Chicken Math Example

Pictures are always worth a bit I think, even if it's just an 'aww' moment for everyone.


This is an example of chicken math.


The mama you see on the left decided that she had to have babies, right when it was due to get cold. 


After trying multiple times to tell her no I finally gave in and let her sit out some eggs thinking she wouldn't actually stay the entire time.


About a month later...

Chicken math at work!

Chicken Math in Action

There exists a thing known as 'chicken math.'  What is this you may ask.  Simply put, one chicken plus one chicken will end up being twenty chickens.

Yes, it works like that.

We have a minor case of chicken math in action here now.

I had meant to write 3 posts introducing all of the animals on the farm back in September. 

Then chicken math struck.

I've now got 3 hens with chicks, more ducks, and of all things turkey.  Add to that today I was out and saw a little Old English Game Hen I had to bring home so she's here too now.

I keep taking pictures to share everyone, then get more, then want to wait to do a blog post when I have all the pictures, which in turn pushes everything back because before I can I end up with more birds.

Ah, chicken math at it's finest.

Perhaps what's really in order is a monthly update of new additions for that month.