Freedom & Summer Chores !

 

This was the big day for the little rescue hens.  I have been feeding them up, worming them and giving them some treatment for Coccidiosis.  After a few weeks of this they were ready to join the other free range chickens out in the orchard.  This is a box with the first three being put outside for the very first time.  These little chickens were barn hens and have never experienced the world outside ... until now. 

 

The girls are attracting the attention of the big Orpington Cockerel.  I have four Orpington cockerels in total so the boys will have some extra girls to watch over.  Some of the brave ones venturing out ... and onto the grass !

 

The summer chores continue...this is a bit of a quiet time for me on the animal side of things, which means that I can catch up with chopping the wood and stacking the logs on the woodstore ready for the winter.  I have my parents visiting at the moment, so its great to have some extra helpers. I have no babies due until mid July all going to due dates, then it will be time to think about making some haylage once again...the year just ticks along and the seasons roll by.  So this time allows me to do a few catch up jobs around the garden and general chores, there is always something to keep me busy.

 

Safety in numbers ...more of the little brownies are now out with the others.  They have been out now for three days and are getting the hang of their new surroundings.... this is their last move now, so time to just enjoy some freedom outside.  These little chickens are only 40 weeks old, hopefully they will now enjoy a long and happy life. 

 

Doza is settling in just fine... he is gaining weight and has put on 2kg in 2 weeks.  He has had his second vaccination and we managed to get him weighed.  He will soon be over 60kgs at this rate.  The dogs are also enjoying some sunny days out in the garden.  Zonda is much happier, but she is looking much older lately, she spends lots of time asleep on the lounger. 

 

This is little Zanto after his appointment with the shearer !!  We are getting used to the new summer look. 

 

Sparky & Stravinsky strutting their stuff out in the field the other day ....the boys are looking very sleek.  Its lovely to see them all sheared.  I have been busy sorting my mountains of fleece out.  I have 7 more to do.  Then I just have to find somewhere to store it ....The boys have yielded some huge fleece weights this year.   I have some fleece samples to send away for analysis, which will be very interesting.  I like to guess the results, its just a little 'me test' to see how accurate I am ....no doubt when they return I can tell you more !