Dead chicken :(

So this morning I go out to feed the chickens and one is dead. It is one of the younger ones but they are now almost the size of the big ones.

The top of her head was bloody in a straight line do I don't know if she was pecked or what. I did notice one of the older ones being mean to the two baby reds. She would peck and peck them if they got too close to her while she was eating or drinking. I don't know if I'm not getting food out there in time or if she's just being mean.

Thank you all for leaving comments. I will respond as soon as I have more than an iPod to blog off.

I leave you with a picture of my little side kick, Sue. She goes crazy if you say "ready to go get the kids?" or "let's go feed the chickies."

Drama In The Chicken Coop

Last week my husband suggested we put our new chicks in the big coop with the 2 big hens.  (Did I mention we finished our chicken coop??? I have not been on here in forever and it only took us a year to complete). 

The babies were in a little pen that we'd have to move around the yard every few days.  It was becoming a hassle to move it and to feed them every day because this batch is wild and every time I would lift up the pen to get the feeder out, some would get out and then the chase was on!

Well, they are so wild that my kind and patient husband had to catch them with a net one by one and take them all the way to the other side of our plot behind our shed and let them out one at a time.  We started with Big Mama (or at least we are assuming Big Mama, may be Big Daddy hehe).  She is so big compared to the other chicks and the same age, so she may be a he.  The big hens of course went after her and pulled out a few feathers, but our coop is big enough that she got away and with each chick he put in, the torture got less and less, but the big hens still were not happy.  Oh but how the big hens hollered and clucked loudly for hours, they were not happy about their new roommates and they were letting us know about it! 

Thankfully, the babies have been in there 6 days and they are all still alive.  I put out a few dishes of feed, but of course the big girls go from dish to dish, so the little hens are running nonstop going from dish to dish avoiding the leaders of the coop.  It is funny to watch.  As long as there is no blood shed, I'm okay with it.   The good thing about putting the little gals in the big coop is now they aren't so flighty, they know when I am in there, that means food time.  They still aren't as brave as the older ones who run right up to me as if to say "Whatcha got?  Whatcha got?" but they do come running and stay a safe distance.  Here are some pics I took this morning of all my chicken babies.

My two mean gals:

The babies:

 

Big Mama, You can see how big she is compared to one of the others:

 



 

 

Chicken Time

My hubs and I spent about 2 hours working on our big coop. It seems like we will never get it done! We are determined to have it ready by spring so we can put our big gals in there and get some baby chicks for the little coop.

We let the girls out while we were working and of course they were nosy as ever!

Fire Pit

I have been extremely lacking in my outside work the last few months. I attribute it to being overall unhappy with myself, my house, my organizing or lack thereof. But... It is 72 degrees outside today in South Alabama and I could not put it off any longer.

It feels like I hate the thought of going outside and working until I'm actually outside and working!

I made myself a goal to work in the yard for 15 minutes a day this week. I set my timer and here I am 25 minutes later. I knew that was all I needed, to just force myself to get going.


Today I just picked up miscellaneous debris up from the yard then I filled a bucket full of ash from the fire pit and poured it over one of my raised beds.

Now I'm just sitting out here watching my son play until its time to pick up my daughter from softball.

Life is good :)

New Chick in Town

We went to the "junk sale" this weekend about an hour from our house.  An auctioneer sells the things people bring outside and inside they have a cow/goat/pig auction.  The kids and I were walking around outside while my husband was checking out the items for sale in the auction.  People had their trailers set out with all kinds of little animals to buy.  We were a little late, so there were mostly only roosters left of the chickens, but we did find this one chicken.  The seller said she lays blue eggs.  I guess we will see.  She's not the prettiest, but I think with a little TLC, she will do just fine.

I haven't figured out what kind she is, haven't really had a chance to look.  The girls have named her Fern.

The first night we had her in a cage, but my husband wanted to try putting her in with our other chicken because the cage is not secure against cats and such.  We let them out in the yard for awhile and they went at it once and then again when we put them in the cage, but as of right now, they are doing okay.  I'm thinking maybe since there are just 2 of them.  We might have to do it more gradually if we add anymore.  So far they seem to be tolerating each other :)

On another note, we hope you all had a fantastic halloween!  My little goblins and I sure did :)

This post is a part of the Homestead Revival's Barn Hop

Peach Cobbler

On Sunday, I made some peach cobbler.  This time, it turned out more like peach cake because I used a smaller dish, but it was still good, and I got to use some of the peaches I canned.  That makes me happy :)

Peach Cobbler
1 cup self rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter
3/4 cup milk
1-2 cans peaches
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons sugar

Melt butter in casserole dish at 375 degrees.  Mix together flour and sugar.  Add milk and a little bit of the juice from the peaches and mix thoroughly.  Pour can of peaches with juices on melted butter in dish.  Drop batter on top of peaches then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until turning golden brown on top.

This is a bad picture, but this is it.  My husband and kids ate it right up.

Me And Knitting

I don't know if it's going to work out.

My Grandma started me off, but she lives in another town and I'm struggling.

Does anyone have any favorite sites or YouTube videos that would help?

Have a great weekend!