Friday, January 31, 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Gifts

Canada is home to the wonderful friends that just keep on giving.  Yesterday, Papa Hen and I received the following items in the mail.
On the left, a movie called Por Las Plumas.  Watch the trailer here.

In the middle, two Stretching Catapult Chickens.

On the right, two perfect chicken coasters.

Fun!  Fantastic!  Thanks so much!

Stand Out Egg

We've shown you some big eggs from Red Door Coop.  All those eggs were laid by Fitz and Bill who are now 2 years old and by chicken standards, mature layers.  Bruiser and Lou are younger, having only started laying this past August.  They've been laying some adorably little (although always filling!) eggs.  I am marking today as a special day because Bruiser laid an egg that really stands out from the rest.  
Today's eggs in order from the left: Fitz, Bill, BRUISER, and Lou.
In front if the scale.
On the scale, Bruiser's egg reads OFF the scale!
There it is on the left, standing tall above the other eggs.

Thanks, Bruiser Chicken!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

All that Snazz

The Red Door Coop chickens were very generous at the holidays, giving Mama Hen a sign for the front of the coop.
We received a wonderful weather vane from the Ohio part of the family.
Put it together and what have you got...
Red Door Coop with a little snazz!

Thanks to the hens and BP for the beautiful coop decor.  We love it!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Wild Turkey

No, we didn't head down to ranch and binge on Wild Turkey.  I'm actually talking about wild turkeys.  We saw them for about the seventh time on one of our trips out to ranch country in Colorado.  They are something like our spirit animal or totem.  If anyone out there knows anything about that, please let us know what this means.  Or don't.  Might be better not to know.


These pictures were taken as the wild turkeys made their way away from us and through the barbed wire fence as fast as they could.  Hopefully at a future wild turkey sighting will get some good shots---I mean pictures.  Did you know that our camera has automatic settings for taking photos of dogs and cats, while the avian world is ignored.  Not fair.

Thanks to the neighbors for taking care of the Red Door Coop hens while we traveled south.

Beauty of a Morning

Mama Hen had a day off on Monday and was happy to accompany Papa Hen to the gym for a run.  When we got home around 7am we looked West and saw this.
We looked East and saw this.
When Papa Hen looked down he saw Bruiser, first in line for treats as usual!
Then he asked the girls to look at the camera for a photo and only one listened.
Then, when Papa Hen looked West again, he saw this.


Thursday, January 16, 2014

Morning Moon

Going out to the chicken coop at 6:30 in the morning is no hardship, except in the frigid temperatures.  The chickens are pretty much wagging their tail feathers and squawking for human company (TREATS!). Another benefit of that morning trip out to the coop is the moon.


Chickens 3, Humans 0

Well, the Canadian friends have done it again!  The chickens received another postcard!  
Although this may be illegal in some way (the chickens can try to sue me if they dare), I have decided to share the text of the postcard:

Dear Bill, Bruiser + Fitz + Lou.
Aren't you glad there's no cock of the walk invading your cozy home, complete with a Flock Block you don't have to share?  :)  Papa Hen is enough I think.  And he's good looking too.  
[HEART] your friend from Canada

For the record, Mama Hen agrees, especially with the bit about Papa Hen!


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Warm January Afternoon

The chickens enjoyed this mild January afternoon.  They were especially happy and eager when they saw I had grapes in hand.
Bruiser was the most eager.  Do you see how she has elevated herself, closer to the treat?

Boot Scraper

It may seem like a silly thing to write about, but the boot scraper is what keeps the chicken "leavings" out of the house.  We use it daily.





Saturday, January 11, 2014

Caged Birds

This afternoon we take a look at then chickens from outside the coop.

Lou
Fitz and Bill
Lou and Bruiser
Red Door Coop chickens
What a happy Saturday!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

A Favorite Way to Cook Our Eggs

As you can imagine, we are happy to be eating our Red Door Coop eggs several times a week.  One of the favorite house recipes is a Swiss Cheese and Spinach Quiche.  This recipe is a keeper, believe me!  Friends introduced us on to the Baby Swiss and Butter Cheeses from Guggisberg in Ohio, and when we have them in house, that's the cheese I use for this quiche.

  

Not Old Hat!

Who knew there was so much chicken-related fashion out there?  This hat seems to attract a lot of strange glances when I am anywhere besides Red Door Coop.  Papa Hen just loves it when I wear something that makes people stare!  ha ha
Thanks RS and SS!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Flock Block

We've read about many chicken keepers who give their birds Flock Block in cold weather to keep them busy and snacking during the day.  What is Flock Block?  It is a chicken treat in the form of a square brick.  Take a look here.  When I visited the ranch store the other day to get pine shavings, I decided to pick one up and give it a try this weekend since we were expecting a storm.

Well, the storm is here and we introduced Flock Block to the girls.  It's always fun to watch them investigate something new.  They are so darn curious!


  Lou was the brave one and pecked at the Flock Block first.
 Papa Hen showing encouragement.
 Fitz finally moves in closer.  She seemed the most wary.


Yes, they are now fans of flock Block.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Snow Prints

We've been thinking about all of our East Coast friends and family during the current storm and hope you are all safe and warm.  Here's some food for thought, to keep your brain busy while you wait out this storm:  if you had chickens and they were brave enough to step into the snow as ours did this week, you would see this.
Hmmmmm.  Are you thinking about it?  Pretty cute, huh!

Speaking of cuteness, here are the birds enjoying a stroll in the yard.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

At first glance, it is a whimsical chicken.  ONE whimsical chicken.
Then you give it a few twists and SQUAWK...
There are five.

Thanks RS and SS.  We love it!