Bee~ Journal of then...

Beekissed

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Yes! All the jobs I love...farming, chicken tending, etc. are all considered dirty jobs. :p Heck, that's why I like 'em! I'm a tomboy and I still like to get dirty.... :plbb

Well, the new hens survived the night in the coop and are out right now loving life of free ranging! So comical to watch them run from food source to food source, like kids let out for recess. They look so poorly compared to my glossy, fat gals but I hope to see a big difference soon.

Yes, I know I'm supposed to quarantine new arrivals but I'm not really set up to do that except in my broody pen, which is currently occupied. So, I'm trusting God on this one, as usual, and am bulling my way past the convential, accepted wisdom. Yes, I am aware that I may come to grief doing this. I'm a big gal and I've taken a lot of hard knocks, so I'm tough enough to weather a set back or two. ;)

I checked these hens out well and the place from whence they come is very clean, very well-kept. Of course, I know that means nothing sometimes, but I'm just trusting God on this one....so here goes! If they do carry some germ or disease, this will test my flock's immunity strength, I guess~ which is okay with me.

I will tell you that my chicks are existing nicely without a heat lamp and with only brief snuggles under mama on these cold days. Mostly they are running around her feet while she paces the confines of her broody pen. These will be some hardy chickens when they are grown, I can tell you that! :D
 

justusnak

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Congrats on the new chickens. It sounds like they will be just fine in a few weeks of getting to free range..and eat the yummies they are supposed to eat!
 

Farmfresh

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I am CERTAIN that chicks brooded the natural way are FAR more hardy.

God and Momma DO know best! :thumbsup

Even the most beautiful of birds - caged raised - just lack that bloom of free rangers.

When I was showing bantams (a million years ago :old as a kid!) I had an grassy/weedy outside pen for each breed I was showing as well as an indoor cage which was like a big rabbit cage. I would put each pair or trio in their own cage EVERY night to keep them safe and in best feather and move them EVERY SINGLE DAY (rain or shine) out to their run for sun, exercise and greens. This meant each bird was handled AT LEAST twice every day, which made them SUPER tame. (I was a kid - I had nothing but TIME!)

Judges would often compliment me on their "bloom" and ask what I was feeding. I would say "thank you". No body would have believed that weeds, grass, bugs, rain and sun would have made them look so good anyway!

It was also significant that my hens would usually keep on laying every day even at the show, where a lot of birds would stop due to stress.
 

Beekissed

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I agree! Free range chickens just have that "something" about them....a certain vigor or beauty that shows in the shine of the feather and the red of the comb. Not to say that fenced in chickens do not...I've seen plenty of fenced beauties! I don't know what to call it but the word "bloom" seems right....a sort of fresh-cheeked look, I guess.

I love, love, love to watch my chickens on this new grass.....it does the artistic part of me some good to see the blend of colors and the form of a plump hen strutting across the green. I'm going to have to take some pics soon...I just feel the need to show someone how pleasing a sight it is. My boys are not impressed... :rolleyes:
 

lorihadams

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I know what you mean about free range hens....after letting mine free range I can't imagine ever keeping them penned up. It kills me to go away for a couple days knowing that they won't be able to get out of the run. They always look sooooo happy to see me when I get back cause they know I'll let 'em out! :lol:
 

freemotion

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I keep picturing a field of mares and foals, eating green grass, and so glossy you need sunglasses to look at them. That is the grass, not grooming. Broodmares are rarely groomed daily on many farms. (I didn't groom the horses much that lived mostly or totally outside, just checked them over and maybe a light grooming and keep the manes and tails from getting tangled. The dirt in the coats really waterproofs them, especially important in winter and cold spring and fall rains.) Grass=vibrant health in any animal that eats it!

Don't you just drive down the road in the spring and see an early patch of very green grass, and you just want to stop and pick it and bring it home? :rolleyes:
 

TanksHill

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Congrats on the new hen Bee and glad to hear you home grown chicks are doing well.. Can I ask why you separated the broody hen out in the first place? Did she not fare well in the main coop?

glad to hear your sheep pen is coming along. I can't wait to see the sheep. :)
 

Beekissed

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Tank, when she would get off the nest for a drink or a bite of food, a hen would steal in and lay an egg. She would come back and find a hen on her nest and would just move over one and be sitting on eggs in that nest....then, trying to move her back on her original clutch was getting aggrevating! :he

So....nest by herself was best. Now I have a broody in with a mama and babies and it seems alright for now.

Free, when I see a patch of new, spring green grass along side the road I want to stop and roll in it myself!!! :D :lol:
 
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