Saturday, February 28, 2015

Sunny Snowy Saturday

The Red Door Coop chickens enjoyed the warmth of today's sun.  We've had some cold days and nights this past week.  Even when it is 19 degrees outside, the sun makes it feel like a spring day.  You've got to love Colorado for that!
I added ashes from our AZ friends' fireplace to the dirtbath and the chickens dove right in.

Well, not all the chickens enjoyed the dirtbath.  Bill was loud and standoffish across the coop and Weezy hung out with her.  Silly Weezy.
Mama Hen did not mind the cacophony.  She cleaned the coop, stirred the dirtbath, and collected an egg.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Picnic?

It's hard to to see the hopeful picnic diners because of the screen door.  Opening the door would have caused the chickens to hop down from their picnic bench perches and beg like doggies. 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Outside and Inside the Coop

This is what it looks like outside the coop.
Inside the coop things are just like any other day.  I caught three of the birds taking dirt baths.  It hadn't occurred to me that they bathed in the cold weather.  





Saturday, February 21, 2015

Shoveled.

The snow came fast.  I did some shoveling tonight to lessen the shoveling tomorrow.

Front yard.
Backyard. 
Driveway.

Question:  Backyard is one word.  Front yard is two words.  Why? 

The Welcoming Committee

The chickens were excited to see me on this slightly snowy morning.  To be honest, the reception was marked with a lot of impatient squawking.  Ms. Bill woke up the neighbors, I am sure.
The chickens piped down with some spinach and scratch to munch on.  Ms. Fitz took a break in the nesting box while Lou and Bill inspected my work cleaning under the roost.




Friday, February 20, 2015

Until Snow

This morning Papa Hen and I, by the light of the moon, fortified the coop for the coming snow.  Until then, the chickens said, we will play.  And here they are (in alphabetical order) enjoying their evening snackies in the coop while I take care of some chores around Red Door Coop.

BB
 Bill
Fitz
Lou
Weezy

 The flock.



 

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Chicken Breeds

Hello.  Long time no see.  Papa Hen and I have been traveling and working a lot.  You can tell because the blog is getting dusty.

To put your minds at ease, I'll let you know that the Red Door Coop Hens are fine.  Doing very well. 

Mama Hen's Papa sent a link to share.  It is here.  We hope you enjoy looking at pictures of various chicken breeds. 

Our chickens are:
White Leghorn
Buff Orpington
Barred Rock
Red Star
Black Star

Of course, the only one I see on the list is a Leghorn.  However, the pictures are so pretty.  There is such a variety of size, color, shape and temperament in the chicken world.

We will see you again soon.  This weekend.  I promise!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Early to Bed

Weezy likes to be the first one on the roost in the evening.
In recent weeks the chickens have been in a consistent order on the roost at night.  It hasn't always been this way.  Weezy is down there at the end just above the nesting boxes.  Next to her will be Bill, then Fitz, then BB, then Lou.  Many chicken keepers say that chickens roost in their pecking order, the chicken hierarchy.  I've not found this to be true.  While Weezy is the bottom chicken, BB is not second in command to Lou.  I think it just depends on the order they jump up to the roost.  Perhaps the order they jump on the roost depends on who is the most tired.

Following are photos of molting Weezy all ready for bed.  Sorry for the blurry images.  I was crouched down holding the camera through the small round door. 





Saturday, February 7, 2015

Summer in Winter

It was a very warm day today.  A record breaking warm day.  The chickens enjoyed their adventures in the yard but were happy to get back in the coop for evening snacks. 





Monday, February 2, 2015

Yesterday and Today

It looked like this yesterday morning.
Today it was a whole different story.  Fifty degrees and sunny!  There were no chickens hovering in the straw to stay warm.