2024

Fifth day we've had our automatic chicken door. I was surprised it hadn't opened when we got out there to feed and water the flock. But there was no hesitancy about using the door this time.

Yesterday (10/07/24) I installed an automatic chicken door into the coop. This morning I'm out here in 41° weather waiting to see if it works AND if the ducks can fit through it. I should have worn a hat. It's too cold to be out here this long. Ultimately, everone came out, including the ducks, though our lone Muscovy had to squeeze a bit.

Our ducklings are a week-and-a-half old now. Today I tried vent sexing them. Never done this before. I think we've got a male and a female. Or more likely I did it wrong. We'll see. Since our brooder is currently occupied with ten 7-week-old chicks I've had to keep them in a tote in the bathroom. Not ideal. Working on a solution today. Here they got a water break.

Stepped out the front door to this. Ducks love a freshly mown lawn.

We decided to move the nine-week-old New Hampshire Red chicks into the main coop last night. The brooder we built is really not big enough for ten growing chicks. Most we ever had in it before was six. So last night at bedtime in they went. This morning was their first taste of 'freedom'. We have attempted to keep them contained in the run and barnyard for a few days. Barn door is closed as is the barnyard gate. Ducks aren't happy. They normally have run of the property, and the Saxonys can't fly over the fence.

Ducklings are three-weeks old. Their first time outside. We put them in the 'playpen' while I clean their water trough we use as a brooder.

Tree dying from Emerald ash borer taken down today. Sad to see the tree go. But we have lots of wood for rustic projects.

Yesterday some guys from church came to help us. Among other things one of them got the gate to the chicken run rehung. I had already pulled and replaced the rotted post. He drilled the holes. We supplied proper hinge hardware. Don't use the cheap gate hinges.