Author: agingenglishmajor

Since the inception of 2018, Chris has obviously been contemplating hobbies for our family. Knowing him as well as I do, I can assume that he aimed at a hobby that would promote the children (and myself) to get outside more. First, our next to oldest child requested a goat, then our oldest child requested a rabbit, and our two youngest will just go along with the crowd.

At the children’s prompting, Chris must have been inspired to bring home hens, a rooster, and two turkeys. I spend so much time just standing with them that he often comes home from his welding shop to stare at the coop while I am bending over talking to a bunch of scurrying poultry.

Last Wednesday while getting ready to go to bed, Chris says: “Honey, let’s take the kids to the sale in Gray on Saturday evenin’.” Now, being from Georgia and remembering my chicken rearing days of my youth, I decided: hey, a girl’s gotta go to the sale at least once. Last Saturday night off to the sale we go.

Surprisingly, I loved the sale!! We watched as they auctioned off goats first, followed by ducks, chickens, and rabbits. Before we found our seats, we checked out the selection of bantams because I wanted a small rooster to put in a separate coop for my Silkie (Priss) and Silkie Mix (Sookie). We looked at three sets of bantams, but I said to my husband, “Baby, I have to get these–the three Mille Fleurs!!” Our neighbors Ms. Sherry and Ritchie arrived at the sale, and Chris overhears Ritchie say that Ms. Sherry’s husband demanded they not come back to Roddy, Georgia, without those Mille Fleurs.

I like to think that Chris was such an avid bidder due to my love of those beautiful, Dutch chickens, but I am positive he was adamant to out bid our neighbor, Mr. Jack. I watched as he quietly raised his hand when the bidding began, and sitting directly behind him, Ritchie also raised his hand with each incremental increase. Soon Chris stood and just kept his arm in the air, and I screamed: “Baby, sit down!” He remained steadfast and purchased those chickens for 70 dollars a piece.

I must admit that those chickens cost more than the 200 dollar steer calf  that was sold at the beginning of the evening. He also bought an incubator, a black pregnant rabbit, two more sets of bantams, and two cages. Sunday, we worked to put together the new coop for the Mille Fleurs, Sookie, and Priss.

The Fleurs have yet to be named; may be I will just call them Mega Millions, Powerball, and Fantasy Five.

He did it all for love… or pride.

Either way I have my bantams.

Jennifer Greene Sullivan

March 20, 2018 

February 3, 2018, my husband visited our local livestock sale, and unbeknownst to me, he brought home several birds to place in our yard’s empty coop. On the back of his truck, I saw: four Barred Rocks, six Buff Orpingtons, a Blue Maran, an Ameraucana, a Rhode Island Red rooster, a Silkie mix, and two turkeys. I was happily surprised that he took initiative to start our flock, but we had issues with the old backyard coop. Unfortunately, the coop still needs a replacement door, but our flock is doing well.

We added to our numbers and bought this new coop March 17, 2018.

Several issues have arisen as the days have progressed: pneumonia and predators. Because we started our flock in the winter months, many hens and roosters can suffer from pneumonia. We talked to our neighbors who have a flock that is several years old for advice; the Jones’ suggested immune boosters inside the water supply. Farm Supply has several options; ultimately, Chris and I chose VetX, Poultry Remedy. Choosing VetX allowed to focus on the affected animal. It is imperative to check the health of your flock several times a day, which would include successful egg laying.

Harassment from predators and lack of nutrition can cause a decrease in egg production. Our eight year old miniature schnauzer, constantly runs around our coop and barks incessantly. His harassment decreases the egg production of our hens. In order to improve production, we discipline our pup to keep him from the coop and increase the laying pellet feed for our older hens.  Why is proper nutrition good for egg production? Proper nutrition will improve laying frequency and egg size. In the last week or two, we have noticed that our hen’s egg production has decreased due to the decline in temperature. Since it is early spring, the cooler nights and morning can affect egg laying.

Ultimately, building our flock will be a constant chore. This Saturday we will sell some of our younger hens as well as our older hens who are not producing. Although I find it hard to depart with my beloved birds, my goal is to improve egg production in order to incubate and brood; therefore, we must replace these hens with hearty, frequent egg layers.