Relaxing Evenings

      One of our favorite things this time of year is sitting outside in the evening enjoying our gardens, chickens, dogs and the wonderful weather.  Of course, we are not the only ones who enjoy this time, all the animals seem to look forward to it and enjoy it as well.

   Bailey is a Yorkie rescue  that we adopted a couple of months ago.  Though she is used to running around the pens full of chickens, this was her first night out lounging with the chickens.   Only slightly curious, she was content to simply lay around and watch them until one would wander close then she would jump up and come running to me LOL.

Big Bo, our Cochin rooster, is bigger than our small dogs, but he has the sweetest nature and makes for an awesome rooster ambassador. 

After a late afternoon spent in the yard, even the chickens are so relaxed they are ready to go to bed early.

Got Broodies??

 Things don't always go according to plans, especially with chickens.  For instance, last year none of our hens felt the need to go broody and hatch out chicks.  So, we decided earlier this year to use the incubator to hatch around 40 chicks thinking we would use some to replace older stock, some to expand our flock,  and the others would be placed in the freezer.  All 40 chicks are filling out beautifully and growing well.

  However, sometime last week between the warmer temperatures, the sound of morning irrigation, and pollen swirling through the air, there came a mystical shift in the attitudes of my hens and suddenly almost half of them have decided now is the time for motherhood.   These are three who share one nest of around 21 eggs, and they will take turns getting something to eat and drink before returning to keep the eggs warm.

 These two are in the same coop as those above, but sharing another nest as they couldn't fit into the first one.  I"m not sure how many eggs are in there, somewhere around 12 last time I could get a peek to check.

The madness has spread to another coop where at last check, 8 eggs were being safely guarded by squawking and feather puffing by this mom to be. 


Luckily, the chicks 'we' hatched have a coop all to themselves to go to so all the new chicks hatched by the hens will get to stay with them.  Phew!  Anybody  need some chicks? 

Chicken Saddle Give Away!

What is the well dressed chicken wearing this spring?

 So glad you asked!   With Spring time comes all those bright beautiful garden colors we love:  pinks, blues. oranges and purples.  That is the inspiration for this years line of Chicken Saddles or Chicken Aprons.  Not only do they protect your hens from loosing feathers during breeding season, but they look great and are machine washable.  Generally, I make these in assorted colors and patterns for $7 each.

I am going to be giving away a set of three saddles every month for the months of April, May, June and July.  

To enter for the give away simply spread the word by linking to Cochin Coop News   and leave a comment letting me know you did.


Winners will be announced the last day of the month.