I spent more time than usual with the chickens and turkeys this morning. The typical morning chore is an in-and-out job of checking the feeder and waterer to see if they need filled, grabbing the eggs, and throwing a handful of scratch to get them all together for a head count. This week, though, they're in molt and I want to check their condition. I mixed extra scratch with a scoop of sunflower seeds so they would hang around a little longer. I always enjoy watching them but I find I don't do it as much since we no longer free range. It was easier when they would come to me instead of my going to them.
This week I'll be cleaning out the coop, also. Dust and feathers are everywhere! We will be adding a light to the coop to increase egg production in the colder months. The teenagers likely won't start laying until springtime and the slackers other hens haven't been regular layers in a while. Before I add that light I make sure there are no cobwebs that could smolder. We use a deep litter method in the winter so I also clean the floor and treat everything with mite and lice spray before I add the first layer of straw. AND it's time to put the fan away, install the heated base for the waterer, and cover the large window.
We added a rooster and some new breeds of chicks along with 2 heritage breed turkeys this year. Anytime the flock changes, so does the pecking order. It didn't take long for the rooster to make his way to the top. All the ladies love a bossy guy! The turkeys and chicks have reached the teenager phase of bird life. They've found their place on the roost at night but the older girls still will scold and peck if they go after a choice piece of scratch. Since we allow our broody hens to raise the chicks, we don't have to worry about them being accepted into the flock but those hens let them know who's the boss! Even the turkeys (who are twice their size) will scoot away from a pecking hen!
