Chicks Outside

I thought we would have the temporary outdoor pen done sooner so I was waiting to update then. Sunday we had to put a lock on the inside of the coop door so that Reed and Emmy could go in and lock Ruby out. Hard to believe but Ruby was getting "wild".
We bought a dog kennel off Craig's List to use as a temporary run until Steve could get time to put in a big fenced area.
Steve had to make sure there was an opening (one was already cut - for a dog house) that lined-up with the chick door. Also he had to build out walls since the top fencing was blocked by the overhang. Of course a ramp had to be installed.
The chicks and turkey were chicken to go outside. The grandkids went in and threw them out, and then shut the door so they couldn't go back in.

This was the perfect time to clean out the coop...it was getting ripe. But what to do with the used litter? Trevor, the grandkids and a neighbor girl spread it over the garden. This should fertilize and keep the weeds down.
Farmer girl Kim cleans the coop.
With help the cleaning went fairly fast. Besides, Mandy did the dishes while I was out doing farm chores.

Ruby's Friends

(There are six chicks in the box)

Ruby goes in with the kids all the time, which isn't necessarily good. I hear yelling of, "Ruby, NO!" quite a lot. So far she hasn't bit any chicks, although Reed reported that she, "put her paws on the turkey but he got away, and then she put her paws on a Houdan but he pecked her eye. When she got the other Houdan he pecked her other eye". We need coop cam desperately!!! The only thing I've seen is an excessive amount of playing with the chicks (see photo). The kids will cram numerous chicks in one box, move them around, chase them down, etc. I don't see the chicks gaining weight because they are running too much. These aren't going to be plump birds, but tough chewy ones. I doubt they'll lay eggs due to being under duress all the time. FYI: When I was shutting down the coop tonight I did count the chicks and there are still 26 chicks and one turkey. That is 15 original chicks for those in the race.

Training continues

Today Ruby went in with me without her leash. Actually she had gone in when the kids were there but they yelled and Mandy went and got her out. Anyway, Reed, Emmy, Ruby and I were in for about 10 minutes and Ruby did very well. Very well being defined as 'no eaten chicks'. Of course the chicks were skittish, but then again they were being chased and caught by the kids.

Farm Fun

As you can see, chick fun takes up most of the farm chores. Emmy and Reed will spend hours in the coop. They're now putting chicks in the nesting boxes, moving them in and out; basically treating them like dolls. Many of the chicks seem resigned to being caught and played with. Matt was in charge of Ruby training today.

Abby knows she is missing out on chick fun and begs Mandy to take her out to the coop.

Thanks Mandy for this lovely pic of me weeding the garden (no one ever seems to be around when this is being done).

Yard Work

Yesterday was spent planting flowers. Why have all the stores gone with 4" pots instead of the 6 packs? I also bought a rechargable weed eater. Its not as powerful as our old one, but I just push a button and it starts. No more yanking and not being able to start, lugging a heavy one, and having it die - just to not be able to start it again.
Ruby was in the coop with me and the grandkids today. The grandkids would run around, catch a chick and bring it to be 'introduced' to Ruby. She just sniffed at them but was very excited the whole time. Of course that may be due to the chaos. As Emmy said, "We would hate to get the chicks too wild" (she was mimicing me). Anytime the kids are in the coop it is a wild time.

Ruby training

I took Ruby into the coop with me tonight. She was on a leash that I held tight. Basically she just laid beside me (yes, in the chick poo) and watched. The chicks didn't come around us, in fact they didn't get closer than 2 feet away. We were there for about half-an-hour without any reaction from the chicks or Ruby. Tomorrow we go back in and I'll walk her around in there.
Remember if you come up to view the chicks you need to bring crocs or shoes you don't care about. And 'good' shoes you can put back on when you come out of the coop.

Sunday Ease

Nothing going on here, just a quiet day. We did go to Robin's to check on her chicks, the older ones and newer ones. She has her fenced yard up and it looks fabulous - just what we will be putting in soon.
The grandkids have taken to the climbing dome and running the maze.