This New Year’s Day, we decided to celebrate the lives of our backyard flock chickens. Inspired by Heartland Farm Sanctuary’s Feast for the Turkeys event, we made up a meal in which the chickens were the honored guests rather than the main dish. We halved a few Delicata squashes and filled them with a mixContinue reading “A Feast for Our Chickens, 2015”
Tag Archives: backyard chickens
New Brooder Equals Unrivaled Space
Our friend Fjud spent his Sunday building our chicks a bigger brooder. Because we got the chicks so late in the season and because winter here is so brutal, we are going to have to keep these babies inside a bit longer than we have when we’ve gotten them before, in the spring or earlyContinue reading “New Brooder Equals Unrivaled Space”
A Flock in Chaos: A Tumultuous Week of Backyard Chicken Keeping
Spindy, on one of her in-home nights This week, we put down Spinderella (our favorite hen), got a set of 4 baby chicks, and buried one of said baby chicks. It was a tumultuous week for the flock and for its owners. Back in July, Spinderella began acting lethargic, not excited for the mealworms orContinue reading “A Flock in Chaos: A Tumultuous Week of Backyard Chicken Keeping”
Cocky Rocky, the Rooster
Rocky and Spinderella (pic from last fall) Rocky, the rooster, is exhibiting his cockiness a little too frequently. The moment one of us opens the coop door for the hens in the morning, Rocky hops out and waits to say hello to his hens. Each lady peeks out and ponders whether or not the joyContinue reading “Cocky Rocky, the Rooster”
When the Parents are Away, the Kids (Hens) Will Lay
We spent the weekend with family at a cabin which sits by a pristine lake. When we arrived home this afternoon, we found two beautiful brown surprises. Sadie, our barred rock, 5-month-old hen laid her first two eggs! Sadie, today’s star! Right now, her eggs are as small as Janis’ eggs. Janis is our PolishContinue reading “When the Parents are Away, the Kids (Hens) Will Lay”
Heat Wave: shade for the chickens and "Spearjitos" with raspberries for the humans
Wisconsin is under an “excessive heat warning” for the better part of this week. I like the heat, the sweat, the lethargy I feel when it the heat index is +100. My chickens, on the other hand, are not fans. The poor ladies and their gentleman have serious needs during the dog days of summer.Continue reading “Heat Wave: shade for the chickens and "Spearjitos" with raspberries for the humans”
One Big Happy Coop
Quite easily, our little peepers have moved out of the house. We, the human parents, are officially empty-nesting, while the teens are out having a ball in the spring time living it up inside their brand-new big run. No looking back, no calling home, no remorse or sadness. Leaving the confines and safety of theContinue reading “One Big Happy Coop”
A Glimpse of Spring
Finally, finally yesterday we had a nice spring day. Temps were in the 60s, there was a slight breeze, and the sun was shining brightly. Carrots got planted, gardens got tilled, and chickens got exhausted! Our plants got a bit of fresh air. Janis and Spindy explored the new coop. Spindy and Janis explored theContinue reading “A Glimpse of Spring”
Snow? The Chicks are Not Fans
Our little peeping fuzzballs are transforming into awkward (but cute) pullets! By the time our previous batches of chicks were at this age, we had been able to take the little buggers outside each day for a bit. This year’s poor chicks have only been out once! They must think they’ve come to live inContinue reading “Snow? The Chicks are Not Fans”
Good-bye Buddy: Thoughts on Saying Good-bye to My Pet Rooster
Today, the first person I talked to at work was a random colleague. This happened seconds after I set my pet rooster, Zappa onto the front seat, said good-bye to my husband, and tried to compose myself to walk up the sidewalk, up our high school’s front stairs, and into our building. I was nervousContinue reading “Good-bye Buddy: Thoughts on Saying Good-bye to My Pet Rooster”
The Poquette Zoo and Kitchen 