The chickens are just… just HUGE.
You may have noticed that I updated the tally on the sidebar this morning. I decided to add in my medical bills for the doctor and the radiologist, since my broken wrist was directly chicken-related.
No eggs yet. Any day now! I have been saying that for the last two weeks, “Any day now!” Most chickens lay their first egg between 18 and 20 weeks. So… any day now!
July and August are the only two months of the year when the yard in front of the cabin is dry. I’ve been enjoying having the tractor right there, where I can watch them from my deck.
The yard seems to appreciate their “attentions” as well. I’ve never seen it so green and lush. Of course, I’ve never watered it in summer, either. I’m opposed to lawn watering, but in this case it’s not a ground cover, it’s a crop for grazing animals. So I water it.
The ladies didn’t appreciate last week’s hot weather. I keep the tractor in the shade, which is enough on most days. On our 95-degree day, the chickens stood around holding their wings out to the side and panting.
I offered them several means of cooling off, including a pan of water and some action with the mister bottle. These offerings were not appreciated. In fact, they were apparently quite frightening. I gave up, figuring that the increased body heat from the panic just wasn’t worth it.
Luckily it’s cooled back down, at least in my little microclimate. The same conditions which kept me trapped for 17 days last winter (even when everyone else was free of the snow) are working in my favor now!
I think Dolly will be the first to lay. Her wattles and comb grew in long before the others’, and have turned a bright cherry red.
Being the first one to mature, she’s started kicking ass up one side of the coop and down the other. Must be the hormones.
that is one awesome photo. I think Dolly is challenging you to a duel of some sort.
I actually use a spray bottle to get our girls to move away from any forbidden parts of the garden they start to chew up and trample, so I’m not surprised they didn’t like the idea!
95 degrees? It HAS been hot! Those poor girls. They’re beautiful. Maybe you’ll get an egg by the end of the week!
Oooh, Ive been looking for a chicken report! Was wondering when the eggs would start, so thanks for the update.
They sure are pretty girls & Im glad to see that after all that hard work & frustration, that the tractor is working out….looks pretty spiffy too:)
I’ve been waiting for an ‘eggs’ update too. They look beautiful, so big and healthy. (plus some attitude!)
Your chickens are surprisingly ungrateful for all you’ve done for them.
I hope Dolly doesn’t turn out to be a Douglas – those are some serious wattles…