So, the chickens seem to have settled in to their home, don't ya think? Roto-rooster and one of the blonde squad hanging on the fence, two others were poking around in the grass outside the yard. Seems to be the norm these days. I've never had Roto jump out, but he does like to survey his kingdom from above. (Open pic for full shot, and sorry about the focus/exposure, my cheapo point-n-shoot camera sometimes just doesn't get it quite right.)

Cute photo, that's a fine looking pair of chickens.

They look good.

Master of all he sees!

Cute!

A pic of some of my girls when we had the epic snowfall last month. This pic received a lot of 'likes' on my Facebook page.

Oh that is a funny pic! My hens would not set foot in the snow. One by one, they'd poke their head out, tentatively set a foot on the top rung of the snow-covered ladder, then quickly retreat back into the coop. Chickens!

Stephanie that is so cute!!! Deb do you just let them do their thing, or did you have to chase them out of the coop??

Greg, I just let them do their own thing. They don't like rain, and apparently really don't like snow. Usually they'll go outside as soon as the door opens, and if it's raining, they hang out in the space under the coop. Their coop is pretty self-contained, that is where both food and water is, although I also have an outside water source.

I'm letting them free-range for about an hour or so in the afternoons, and it's been fun to have them kind of swarm me when I'm weeding - they really are curious critters. I toss them worms, and they also like to poke around in the freshly turned soil.

Stephanie, I love your snowbirds, braving the elements.

Deb said:
>> One by one, they'd poke their head out, tentatively set a foot on the top rung of the snow-covered ladder, then quickly retreat back into the coop.

That's like my cat. He goes HALF-WAY out the door, then looks around in astonsihment and dismay. Then he gives me a dirty look and checks the weather again to see if I got it right on the second try.

Then he stomps back indoors and gives me the Cold Shoulder for failing in my responsibility to provide him with weather that he likes.

Funny, dogs don't care, my lab mixes anyway. Never had chickens and to tell the truth a bit scared of them. Have loved following this thread.

Rick isn't it the truth! They look we can control the weather!!
Julia I've really liked this thread! Watching the chicks become chickens!
Deb for starting it, and
Stephanie for adding your knowledge!
Guess I know where to look when/if I ever decide to raise my own.
I did take care of some and would weed a bit and they'd run over and look for grubs, and also sometimes eat what I was pulling out!
They are quite entertaining critters!!

Cats think we are responsible for providing them with acceptable food, shelter, weather and entertainment .

They are in control of everything else.

And they will let us know if anything is NOT acceptable.

I would think that you would not want your chickens near your plants. I was told they eat everything. I would love chickens but would not want them caged up all the time which is what I would have to do to keep them out of my garden. I bet they wo uld love strawberries.

They do make a bit of a mess, but I can put up with it. I think they go for the bugs before the plants. My daylillies are a bit tattered looking but I think they are all big enough clumps that they will be fine. My yard is big and it is also surrounded by unfenced fields so the chickens have plenty of room to roam.

Deb I think you are correct they love the bugs!! The place where I took care of them they were freely in the yard and didn't damage as much as one would think...although new plants would need to be protected of course!

Mine were extremely destructive when they free ranged. Extremely. That is why they are now fenced. My fence is too short though. But this year, I am only getting the breeds that have never flown out of it. Brahmas and Cochins.

Kosk, strangely enough, my heaviest birds (Wyandottes) are my escape artists, along with the Polish crested, who is almost a game bird she is so small. Very recently my Welsummer hen has likewise figured it out. The others I let out about 4:30 or so and let them free range until they head back to the coop. My stay-at-homes are Brahma, Orpington, and Orloff, and one little banty who is just a short round squatty thing. Fortunately the Welsummer rooster is too heavy to get out any longer, as he terrorizes me. I do let him free range with the hens in the late afternoon, but I keep my eye on where he is at at all times if I'm outside. Here's my little banty, Mojojojo:

Bought 16 new chicks today. 3 buff orps, 3 rhode island reds, 3 new hampshire reds, and 7 light brahmas.

Here is my baby, holding a light brahma. (He injured his face skiing yesterday)

So cute!