Chicken update: reinforced fencing, moving cockerels into run

My bestie Rachel came to visit and helped with many chores around the house, including finally reinforcing the two sides of the chicken run that had only 2"x4" panels. They now have hardware cloth at the bottom, extending outward to keep animals from digging in. With that done, I moved all the bantam cockerels out of the chick coop and into the run itself. The size difference between the bantams and standards is astounding.

One of the straight run "Black Japanese" chicks has turned out to be an Old English Game cockerel, probably a Black Breasted Red. He is gorgeous and he will be staying unless his temperament is an issue.

Actually all the bantam cockerels are so damn cute that I'm tempted to let them stay. However I also have 3 Golden Sebrights, 2 Red Pyle Games, 1 Black Japanese, and a still-unknown number of Silkies. I need to whittle down to a few favorites.

Definitely male Blue Silkie.

Chicken update: cockerels, molting

To ease up on the space inside the chicks' growing coop, I let the five Red Sex Link cockerels out into the run.

"Hen pecked" is an accurate description in this case.

I plan to let the bantam cockerels out soon as well, but first I need to reinforce the fence. There are holes just big enough for the tiny bantams to get through.

The older ladies are molting. The Black Australorp in particular looks embarrassing.

Chicken update: soft shelled egg

Two weeks ago, I walked by the chicken run and noticed the Red Sex Link just squatting in one spot. Not lying down and resting, but awkwardly squatting. "Hmm... that doesn't look good."

An hour later she was squatting awkwardly in the nesting box with clear fluid coming from her vent. Crap.

Rachel says to gently feel her abdomen to try to figure out what's going on. Internet says to bring her inside and put her in a warm water bath to help relax her muscles.

I go back to get her, and find that she has laid a soft-shelled egg.

Phew! This is just something that happens sometimes. If it's a one-off, it's nothing to worry about. She laid a second soft egg the next day, then one with a semi-soft shell two days after, and then was back to normal.

Meanwhile, the Blue Laced Wyandotte has FINALLY stopped being broody. Not sure if she's back to laying yet, but she's wandering around the run with the other two, and sleeping on the roosting bar instead of in a nest. I guess after six months she had to give up on her dream of being a momma.

Another chicken down

The Gold Laced Wyandotte was found dead within the chicken pen, by the fence line. Mostly like a raccoon attack. That leaves 2 functional adult hens (Black Australorp and Red Sex Link) and the broody Blue Laced Wyandotte. Thank goodness I have 5 standard pullets and a number of bantam girls growing up already. I will put hardware cloth over the section of fence that only has 2x4" openings. I knew that that was a weak point in their protection, and really should have taken care of it when I first set their pen up.

Hat Shaped Hat #2

I love this pattern for a very quick, easy hat with a classic shape. This the second one I've made. I wish that I had made the main portion of the hat taller by about 3 rows so that I could pull the brim up higher, and it would also end lower over my forehead and ears. I like my hats to completely cover my head.

The indoor lighting washed out the colors a bit - it's nice and bright in person.

Puppy proofing electrical cords

I saw this brilliant idea in one of my dog groups. 1.25" PVC pipe can be used to protect electrical cords, which puppies seem to have a particular attraction to. It's not all perfectly lined up, but it should do.

Fray Check

Vintage embroidered skirt + dogs = thank goodness for Fray Check.