Our Bird Flock

We started with a Chicken Flock but have expanded a little....

In the Summer of 2008 this was the new chicken flock

a small flock of chickens to supply us with eggs

we found we liked them a LOT!! so this spring we added more

37 to be exact plus some ducklings, then a couple baby geese and a Peacock for Sarrah.

We started with 12 hens in 2008 but added somemore the next week
so we had 25. That way we could have a few extra eggs to sell each week.
They had run of the entire yard and loved it here.

Disaster

Dogs (cute little dogs from up the street) came to visit and
we were left with 7 hens.

So this spring we have added replacements

Gail always wanted some Americanas so we
went after those plus we added a few other
breeds for color and eggs.

Abby's first chick - an Americana

Sara wanted some Cochins and we found 4 Buff Bantams for her.

Even Sarrah picked out a chick. This little lady will grow up to
be a Black Austerlop hen.

And they grew up fast

waiting while we cleaned the brooder.

after they moved to the hen house.

The older girls are doing well.
We added a pretty blue Orpington hen who was broody and she helped mother the chicks.
(she only hatched 2 of her own eggs but loved everyone else)

these are few of our favorite things

hens in the nest boxes.
Above a surviving red hen and the new Blue Broody Hen
below the fruits of their labors

"Survivor"

So badly injured by the dogs
her leg circulation deceased till
she lost her toes. She has a huge
section of rear leg missing and
walks with a limp. She lived
in the rabbitry for months
while we nursed her back.
Yes we should have put her
down but there was so much
death that day and she wanted
to live so bad. She will be
here the rest of her life.

Then the love of Sarrah her pride and joy

We found him at a local sale and had promised Sarrah she could have
a Peacock when we moved so.... we now have "Indy". He is in love with
the chicks he lives with and very found of showing off for Sarrah's car if
she parks it too close to the pen.

This was a huge issue as he will leave given the chance (they are
really just big - really big - peasants) So we had to redesign the hen house
into two parts and completely cover the run.

We also added ducklings for Abby

They are Silver Appleyards (an endangered species)
They are still in some down feathers above

All grown up now they just need to finish developing adult
plumage. Two quack two cannot so we have two drakes
(boys) and two ducks (girls). In case you did not know
boy ducks cannot quack.

Our latest addtions two Brown China goslings.

We had to change the shape of the chicken pen when we
fenced the back to keep out stray dogs etc.

The " way back" which is now fenced with 4 foot high 2X4 inch wire. We are still growing grass where it was once only weeds.
We had a trench dug this spring to drain the excess water and made it into a duck pond.