Category: Writing | Farm Posts

Coyote Visits, Ends in Disaster at TBN Ranch

Dead, missing, and terrified chickens. A scenario more disturbing than any horror flick could ever portray. Some of my birds were just killed, others eaten with nothing left of their existence but a pile of feathers. Coyotes, no doubt. They don’t just take what they need to satisfy hunger, they kill just to kill, and often in large numbers.

So how did this happen? I’ve written time and time again about how to protect a flock from predators. Unfortunately, I failed the simplest and most important step of all… to close the coop door at night.  I was tired, fell asleep and just plain forgot.  My fault, and I’m fessing up because I want everybody to remember that it only takes one time of neglect for something like this to happen.
All my young Silkie pullets, one hen, and Wilson, my rooster are gone. So sad, this will never, never, never happen again.

Back to HOME PAGE

Silkie Hens Fill the Egg Basket Too

You may have heard the Silkie Bantam is only a fair egg layer, but is this a fair statement? Perhaps they get a bad rap because they’re often broody which interrupts egg production. True, but in my opinion, this incredible bird should be considered a master of two jobs. I give them five stars for their dedication to motherhood, and here’s their generous contribution to the breakfast menu. Not bad, not bad at all!
My Silkies lay every other day on average, with little change during our mild Arizona winters.  There are six birds in my flock over the age of four and are still producing at the same rate. As far as I’m concerned, a chicken’s production decreasing after the age of two years has not proven true on our little farm.

Silkie Bantam
Fresh Eggs

There are Always Exceptions

Silkie 3-114

Meet Fern, this little lady doesn’t lay eggs at all, ever!  Hatched in 2012, isn’t interested in setting on eggs, and has never gone broody. But no worry, there’s still a job for her here as a bug eater. She’s also valuable as a warm body to the others on those occasional cold winter nights.

Back to HOME PAGE

Custom Nest Boxes!

Coop improvements are never-ending, aren’t they? One little change always seems to lead to another. Maybe this time I had a little something to do with that. I ordered a ridiculous amount of chicks this fall and although I have enough space to accommodate the numbers, the nest box situation came up short.
I must have complained enough to my husband about this self-inflicted problem, and just look at what he built for me!  What a guy!
Anything new of substantial size in the hen house means some serious rearranging of everything inside. Needless to say, I’ve spent the last few days in a chicken coop. But it was so worth it!
Do I dare mention to hubby that my grow pens are full and I’m expecting a bunch of Mille Fleurs in a few weeks?

nest boxxes 101615
Back to Chicken Keeping Resources HOME PAGE