Poultry decisions!

Ever since we have started our flock, we have added more chicks every spring so as to keep revitalizing the flock and to keep a steady supply of eggs available. This year we were not financially able to follow our normal plan, and though our little one was sad as we usually always get chicks near her birthday, we explained the situation to her and decided we would have to wait. We had hoped that having four hens go broody [3 Black Australorpes and 1 Barred Rock] would have remedied that situation, but for some reason they just can't seem to hatch any eggs. I am sure there are several reasons for that, but we have not solved the problem yet. We tried isolating the hens as they went broody, but they would get so upset in isolation that they would break all their eggs in their attempts to remove themselves from the isolation pen. We tried to isolate them in the hen house where they originally went broody, but they would spend time escaping and stop brooding. So we decided to let them go naturally and see what happened. Well the answer was nothing...they have brooded eggs for three months now and not hatched a single egg. I believe that part of it is human error and part of it is that the other hens will not leave them alone. They literally will lay eggs on top of the other hens and those will fall into the clutch. We added numerous more egg boxes, but to no avail. We removed the nests completely in an attempt to break the broodies, but they gather another clutch and sit again. It would be great if they would hatch a set, but it does not seem to be in the cards. We know the eggs are fertilized so we can't blame it on Old Boy [our rooster]. I am simply perplexed. So once again we have cleared out the nests and the process is beginning again...

Having saved up a bit of money, we have decided to purchase some more chicks to continue with our revitalization process. We like to stick with heritage breeds. So we placed our order with several of our old faithfuls and a few new breeds in order to see how they adapt to life on the homestead. I ordered more Black Australorpes [ who have done outstanding living here, are calm, and adapted great to the winter and to free ranging]. In addition we are trialing  Silver-laced Wyandottes, Welsummers, and Spotted Sussex. In other attempts we have been trying to find a rooster that will fit in better at the homestead. So far we have had several roosters that have not passed the test. Our Black Australorpe roosters were aggressive to one another and to humans. The Buff Orpington roosters were very aggressive to the hens, so we did not attempt letting them into the flock. The best success we have had is with the Barred Rock roosters, of which we had two lead the flock. The first did well, but was aggressive with the children and my wife. He finally crossed the line and made a trip to the stew pot. Our second has been doing well, but once again is becoming too aggressive with the children and my wife. He is well on his way to the stew pot. Through research, I have heard good things about Blue Laced Red Wyandotte roosters. So we have ordered a few of them in an attempt to see if my research is true. Come next spring we will have a new rooster leading the girls, one I hope that develops a great relationship with the family. In an attempt to solve our broody issue, my wife has heard great things about using surrogate brooders, specifically silkies. We are looking to establish a small broody flock of Blue Silkies. She has made plans and so a few of them are on their way as well.

In an attempt to solve another issue, we are also going to be experimenting with a completely new type of poultry! We are very excited about these fellows, hearing great things about their ability to remove TICKS. One of our daughters seems to be a tick magnet. We can't figure out the reason why, but for some reason she attracts them like no one else in the family [including the critters!]. Recommendation: Guineas! They should prove to add some interesting aspects to the homestead for sure.

In my ongoing desire to raise heritage breed turkeys and bring back the turkey farm - once again it is just not viable. The minimum limit I have been able to find is 15 - 20 poults. That is just not a feasible number in my opinion, so once again I will hope for a better opportunity next year. But anyone who has raised turkey can say, their is nothing like a home raised turkey! When we had our first experience with raising our own turkey for the fall feasts, it was the best tasting turkey I ever had in my life. It was nothing like the ones we had purchased over the years. The taste was enchanting, so juicy and enjoyable. The only option I could find at this time was to go with the broad-breasted white. If you are unfamiliar with turkeys, you should know that the broad-breasted breeds have been bred for table-fare and nothing more. To the point that they are unable to reproduce naturally. Hence, they will not meet our desire to be able to breed them. So instead, I purchased them knowing at least that they would be cared for and raised humanely and completely organically by our own hands.

So the next month will be quite exciting as the new chicks, poults, and keets arrive. I am already thinking of how to create a brooding complex to handle the different needs of each group as they arrive. It shall be exciting!

An Unfortunate Departure

The night went well with the little guy cuddling up to the cardinal and all appeared well in the morning. The food was gone, so it appeared that he ate. He was up and moving around as 'normal'. He started getting lethargic around noonish and so my wife let him drink from a dropper and ground up some worms for him to snack on. She also added a 'chirping' chick toy to give him some company. It seemed that he had a flea problem so she removed as many as she could. He seemed to be fine and was acting normal again, then a few hours later he became lethargic again and unable to stand. Everyone continued to give him attention and comfort, but to no apparent avail. He would attempt to rise but tire quickly and lay down breathing heavily. A few hours later he returned to the Earth to continue on his journey. He was given a blessing and buried near the old oak tree. The children were upset and we pondered the turn of events, but as we know well the journey of life begins and ends when the skein is cut. We did our best to offer hospitality and kindness to our guest for the length of his stay and were honored to care for him.

It does make us ponder what the reason for his abandonment was. Perhaps his mother was killed, or he got separated from the group, or chased away. Did his mother know what fate awaited him? Was he a runt? Was it the loneliness? We will never find the answers to these questions, but at least our experience is richer for having shared a brief amount of time with this beautiful creature.

A Dinner Guest

The family had an interesting experience today on a more positive note than those trespassing beetles. We were sitting down to dinner and enjoying another excellent meal. Suddenly we were interrupted by sounds of distressed chirping, looking out the window there was a small bird ducking in and out a pile of rescued lumber stacked along the edge of the woodline. As we watched for a few moments, we did not notice any other birds around and none of the chickens were in the vicinity [as the sound was distinctly similar to young chicks, which made us think maybe the broodies had hatched their eggs]. Our next move was to take a closer look, much to our surprise it looked just like a chick, except we do not have any chickens with markings or colorings of that nature. It appeared to be at least a week old, as it did not have any egg tooth remnants. We decided to watch it for a bit and see if it was lost or if anyone [mom or siblings] might show up. No one ever did. We couldn't just leave the little guy, so we gathered him up and put him in one of the bins we use for newly arrived chicks. As we made him comfortable, the investigation began.

It didn't take long to determine that our guest was a young wild turkey poult. We can't figure out how he arrived alone on our homestead, and further searching of the area where we found him has not revealed any answers. We do have a good sized wild turkey population that ranges through our land and the surrounding area, so I am not surprised. We have tried to ease his transition and provide him with as much hospitality as possible. Adding leaves, food and water to his bin made him a bit more comfortable. Much like with young chicks, we have been encouraging his exploration of the waterer and added some crumbled feed. Having had a similar situation last year, when one of our hens hatched a single chick and abandoned it, we were greatly concerned about his health and the fact that he is alone. We contemplated adding him to the three ladies batch once they hatch but we are not positive when or if they will be successful. One of the girls volunteered her little stuffed cardinal to keep the poult company. Surprisingly after a bit of chirping, he has cuddled up with the cardinal and is resting peacefully.