Chicken Mama

I have a friend who has a daughter who has been very ill for several years, with a bad episode this 

winter.  Recently, I ran by there one day to help her with chores.  While we were working, it struck me that I have a perfectly good henspa at the old house sitting empty... and I suggested that if she wanted to put some hens in it to lighten her load, she could. (and my dear spouse agreed!) 

Voila! 

We had to stack everything in the car to fill it full of carriers. 

The biggest one had to sit sideways in the back. 

Everyone was freaked out when I set the carriers down and opened the doors. 

This flock is a breeding flock of blue cochins, and the blacks are necessary to create the beautiful 

penciling you see on the hen in the foreground. I'll try to get a better picture today. 

Here is the beautiful rooster.  His feathers shine green in the sunlight (but we have none today). 

They ate and ate and ate... and then ate some more. 

There are two "extra" birds... a light brahma hen, and a gold penciled brahma hen, shown here. 

The brahmas are also big girls.  

The cochins do not know these two girls, and the gold 

is very meek.  

The silver... hahahaha... not so much. 

I am hoping that when I go out there shortly I won't find any bloody birds.  I suspect, though, 

that everyone settled down after I left. 

Stinker

They are beautiful hens. 

Even from the keel side. 

My companions had been out there earlier with me... but it was 77 degrees, and my big doll wore herself out. 

Jes got pretty hot, too. 

They have not seen the birds yet... I took them home, and then went to pick the chickens up. 

Oh.... we did see some birds in the sky, too....

And Split-wing watched from the com tower.  Let's hope he doesn't come any closer!  

We are leaving to go out there in a few minutes.  I am going to let the birds out today, but 

of course, winter is returning tomorrow... and we dip down into cold temps at night.  I have no 

heater base for the water fountain any more... but... I have a heat lamp still in the house, and it should keep the water warm enough. 

It will be interesting to see if the birds went to roost... they were in a pen on the ground... and they are heavy birds.  My guess is.... they spent the night nestled in the straw. 

Keith and I have both been a little under the weather these last few days... 

so after I make our trip this morning, I'm going to stay in the rest of the day 

and try not to do too much, and GET BETTER! 

We are thinking of all those suffering in the NE today... what 

a terrible ordeal they are undergoing.