tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50213295682512090152012-02-17T06:55:57.886+11:00This is a place for me to talk about one of my favourite things, chickens! I haven't had chickens for very long and I am still learning a lot but I have fallen in love with my feathered friends. They are incredibly fun to watch and their eggs are so yummy when they are fresh!Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-50579308534615809742011-04-12T16:51:00.002+10:002011-04-12T17:03:42.020+10:00

Will try and post here again soon - got concrete floors into the hen houses now - need to get bird netting for the top to keep the wild birds out!Dad is building me a poultry palace in preparation for getting more Silkies - is starting to look really good!

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-81404517372984933602010-06-04T10:42:00.003+10:002010-06-04T10:48:55.902+10:00

I haven't done much posting on any of my blogs lately, attack of life is my excuse and I am sticking to it!Sadly, we ended up losing all our Silkies we bought from the breeder last May. The last one passed away about 1 month ago. The 3 roosters (which we think may be crosses) that we bought at the auction over 12 months ago are still doing fine. The one we had with the Silkies now has a new harem

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-48160395972745105422010-01-12T22:17:00.000+11:002010-01-12T22:19:32.608+11:00

Sadly we have only one Silkie hen left now, one of the black ones with the cutest pom pom! We have called her Daisy - the pen is lonely now with just her and the little Modern hen. We are debating on whether or not to put one of the roosters with her - she has been laying eggs which is awesome!!! Fingers crossed she stays well! I really don't think the hot weather is agreeing with them :-(The

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-86940192338113405822009-11-02T21:06:00.003+11:002009-11-02T21:13:08.312+11:00

Life continues on at an increasingly hectic pace which has meant no time or energy for keeping blogs updated - there are simply not enough hours in the day and other things that are higher on the priority list :-)The silkie toll has increased - we lost poor Miss Violet sometime Saturday night - she was an old chook so not unexpected but still sad. We now have only one Rooster and 3 Hens left of

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-27678272588752670552009-09-08T20:24:00.002+10:002009-09-08T20:33:19.894+10:00

I haven't been posting much on anything lately - work is super busy so I don't feel like doing much when I get home.We haven't had much luck with our silkie's - we have lost ten of the 16 we bought back in May. Really don't know what is happening and they are going one at a time :-( Not good. Hopefully things will start settling down.I'll try and get a photo or two on the weekend as a couple of

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-73876494795379282032009-07-23T18:00:00.003+10:002009-07-23T18:02:38.995+10:00

The one with the sore leg had to be put down, another Silkie broke a leg and died, and a third one appears to be not well. We also lost Shadow the Chook (one of the three I hand raised). Found her dead on the ground in the hen house a fortnight ago - very sad.On the upside - we got three eggs today!

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-83223180447296441382009-06-17T13:06:00.003+10:002009-06-17T13:15:29.049+10:00

Well, not much news has been happening here - I know it is the oldest excuse in the book but I am just too busy to be posting. I usually remember when I am just drifting off to sleep and I am not dedicated enough to get up and say something! LOLWe have gone from 18 Silkies to 17 - we had one of the grey ones die about ten days ago. I suspect she went out of the hen house in the cold and couldn't

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-80195194964027095312009-05-31T17:32:00.003+10:002009-05-31T17:37:26.464+10:00

and all our new fuzzies are doing well - they still need putting away of a night time as they don't go in on their own. Here are some photos of them........

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-71085002968882038032009-05-27T13:23:00.001+10:002009-05-27T13:24:47.419+10:00

But I don't have time right now to go through all the details ;-) Got them from a lovely breeder at Lue (near Mudgee) - 15 pullets and 2 cockerels. They are safe and happy at home - we need to put them in the hen house though each night as they don't go in on their own yet. Works out okay though 'cause this way they get used to being handled! Photos to come this weekend!

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-4818528806707154032009-05-14T09:53:00.002+10:002009-05-14T09:54:10.155+10:00

until we get our baby chickies.We got four eggs yesterday as opposed to one so the girls must be settling in okay.That is all.

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-48503876385773753872009-05-12T10:03:00.001+10:002009-05-12T10:04:44.543+10:00

which is great. After many laughs catching him, he went with his new owners. Now just to get rid of the 3 silkie crosses! LOL We will hang on to them until the 20 June where if we haven't found new homes for them they will go to the general auction.Only 12 more sleeps until we pick up our new babies........

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-48627327266831502432009-05-06T16:28:00.004+10:002009-05-06T16:33:57.490+10:00

Well, it looks like the 'big fella' has found a new home. A guy is coming to pick him up on Saturday which is great! Then it's just the three silkie crosses left ;-) If worst comes to worst, we will hang onto them until we can get to the Ballimore Auction in June (can't make the May one due to having other commitments).Got sent a photo of a sister to the chickies we are picking up in Mudgee - she

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-76405755590628015632009-05-05T21:19:00.002+10:002009-05-05T21:22:46.298+10:00

that need a new home. We think we may have found one for Napoleon though ;-) (He is the first one.)

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-88222080737908793282009-05-05T09:34:00.003+10:002009-05-05T09:37:03.455+10:00

Sorry, couldn't help myself! LOLThe reason I am so excited, is we have found some young Silkie pullets to buy. T and I are going to Mudgee on the 23/24 May and we will be picking them up then. We are going to get 15 pullets and 1 cockerel. Looks like we might be able to swap our rooster for the cockerel - much more sensible I think to have them all the same age! Yay for fluff balls of chickeny

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-38098957892414843662009-05-04T09:30:00.002+10:002009-05-04T09:36:43.360+10:00

After an exhausting weekend, we got the chook pen completed! Yay! I was too tired last night to post and need to download the photos onto my computer - maybe tonight.So, we have the three roosters we need new homes for in the old pen (wondering where the heck everyone has gone), a silkie cross rooster (we have named Napoleon), Miss Violet (our silkie hen) and Sylvanus (the bantam) in one pen, and

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-6528482179999842792009-05-01T13:21:00.001+10:002009-05-01T13:21:35.295+10:00

We have two Silkie crosses and another (breed unknown) that need a new home. We have gone from 15 roosters down to five, but three of those are still surplus to our needs. Ask around - let me know if you find someone that wants them and can pick them up from Dubbo *grin*. BTW - they are free :-) I'll take a photo of them on the weekend and put here too.

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-57590956567224997402009-04-30T09:29:00.000+10:002009-04-30T09:35:53.894+10:00

Terry and I finally got around to having the chicken debate and decide what of our stock needs to go. We have five roosters - we can keep two - so which three to give their marching orders?When we finish the new pen, the changes will be:* The Plymouth Rock rooster, the three PR hens, two other hens, Australorp and our three hens will go into one pen. This will be for the bigger chickens and

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-55476050768550670492009-04-30T09:27:00.000+10:002009-04-30T09:29:11.241+10:00

She moved on through the night - I'm not surprised, just a little sad we couldn't do more for her. It was zero here at 7am this morning so when I heard that I knew she wouldn't have made it. At least she isn't suffering now.

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-65906104100514730432009-04-28T16:41:00.000+10:002009-04-28T16:42:10.750+10:00

is still alive and eating and drinking but cannot move her leg yet. She is getting around in a manner of speaking and we are keeping an eye on her - making sure she is sheltered and can access food and clean water. Time will tell if it is enough........

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-65321817701850297132009-04-27T10:02:00.000+10:002009-04-27T10:08:59.400+10:00

Finally got some work done on the chook pen this weekend. One side has the wire complete - just need to put in some nesting boxes and roosts as well as partially close in the front wall. The other side needs nesting boxes and roosts and we are about 1/3 the way through the fencing. Hope to finish it next weekend so we can move the chooks! We are going to keep the old pen, make it a bit smaller

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-2174879620834402262009-03-31T21:15:00.000+11:002009-03-31T21:26:04.070+11:00

It's hard to believe but these are my three babies. It's actually an awesome feeling to know that I helped them get a good start on life ;-) They have settled in well in the small pen (otherwise known as the Silkie pen, although we only have one Silkie left). Funnily enough it was one of the tiny bantams that put up a bit of a peck but that didn't last long ;-) Still no progress on the new pen -

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-67091402986059894642009-02-17T22:09:00.000+11:002009-02-17T22:11:27.725+11:00

things have been really hectic with a whole range of things! The three young chickens are doing well and growing amazingly! It looks like we have one rooster and two hens. George did end up being a George ;-) I haven't had a chance to do photos yet but hope to soon.Once we get Border War done (SCA stuff) we hope to get back to work on the new chook yards!

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-83317710571289899472009-01-29T21:51:00.000+11:002009-01-29T22:08:16.453+11:00

and into larger accommodation. The chicks were getting too big for the box in our ensuite so we have made a bigger 'cage' for them. They are now in the new chook house (the yard is not yet complete). They will be 4 weeks old tomorrow - so hard to believe!The new chook house (the yard still has to get done - when the weather cools down) - it is in amongst trees and a cooler spot than the existing

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-30398627133616673202009-01-28T10:48:00.000+11:002009-01-28T10:50:56.687+11:00

There has been no further progress on the new chook pen - too darn hot!!! The chickies are still happily living in my ensuite and are growing fast! They are losing their down and getting their feathers. We need to build them a box so they can go outside for some time through the day and back in at night. It's hard to believe but they will be 4 weeks old on Friday! I'll try and get some photos

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-11239041969659409972009-01-14T10:23:00.000+11:002009-01-14T10:24:22.437+11:00

So far so good - the three chicks are happy and healthy and growing incredibly fast!All our other chooks are okay too despite the weather warming up - hopefully they stay that way!No more progress on the chook houses - it may be a little while before we get back to them, too much else on at the moment!

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-30397014708600719372009-01-09T11:10:00.000+11:002009-01-09T11:14:44.272+11:00

and they are doing well so far! I can see their wing feathers starting to grow and they stretch their little legs and wings often! I am constantly surprised by how fast they are - even playing what looks like 'tag' around their box ;-) They are eating and drinking well and seem to be quite healthy for now - keeping fingers crossed!Not sure if we will get much done on the new chook pen this

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-65250369870607646272009-01-07T20:41:00.001+11:002009-01-07T21:03:02.263+11:00

Okay, did a count tonight. We have four roosters and five hens in one pen, and one rooster and 4 hens in the other pen. Once we get the new pens built we will re-look at our stock. I think the 3 silkie cross roosters can go back to the auction and we will keep the one 'big fella' that I think is the dad of our chicks. The other rooster can stay too as he is in the other pen and is quite quiet. If

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-56840180076073879052009-01-07T14:53:00.001+11:002009-01-07T15:01:51.008+11:00

This is the area where we are going to build the poultry palace - I will be able to watch my chickens from the kitchen window and dining room. The fence has now been pulled down between the BBQ area and the alloted spot. My mum is a keen gardener so she will be putting lots of geraniums and the like around the outside of the chook yard to help with visual appeal and smell ;-) My lovely husband is

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-85066864611231467652009-01-07T14:48:00.000+11:002009-01-07T14:53:07.233+11:00

Photo taken from the back of our house (near the BBQ area). This is where the chickens currently live until we get their poultry palace built ;-)

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-43612210867622214532009-01-07T14:44:00.000+11:002009-01-07T14:48:06.365+11:00

My 14 year old son made the box and my 11 year old has adopted them (he is referred to as the 'mother hen' ;-))

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-90632646618098502702009-01-06T19:41:00.000+11:002009-01-06T19:50:21.042+11:00

It is now 4 days after they have been 'discovered' - not sure if it was their hatching date though ;-)

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5021329568251209015.post-45872510330014936162009-01-06T11:56:00.000+11:002009-01-06T13:48:50.827+11:00

To that - I have no answer and I am not going to get my brain in a knot trying to figure it out! LOLI wanted a space to diarise some of my chicken thoughts and ideas. Yes, I am probably a tad eccentric or should that be eggcentric? okay, enough of the puns!We have been keeping chickens for a couple of years now with moderate success - things go along alright for a while and then we usually have a

Katrijnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15137345371147329586noreply@blogger.com0