Some of the chickens roost in the pine tree. They will not come down either. I have tried to shoo them with a broom and they fly out and come right back. So, Travis and I were chicken catching last night. I got the 10 foot ladder and a flashlight. We located the mother with four chicks, the rooster and two hens. Since it was late and dark, the chickens were fast asleep and they do sleep soundly. Travis climbed the ladder and got the rooster first. What a noise he made. I took him from Travis and was going to put him in the coop but Travis came down and took him. I was surprised at how heavy he was for a bantam. He is my favourite roo, good with the ladies, protective, and always finding food for them. He does not eat it, but makes his chipmunk noise to call them over, then he dances for them. It is rather endearing, except the two times he jumped on my leg with his spurs. The only thing is, his spurs froze off last winter, so there was no real damage. I smacked him and had to do it again and now he gives me a wide berth, but still does his little dance and beak wiping.
The second group down was the mother and four chicks, only there was a deposit from one of the chicks which landing right on Travis's cheek. Gross! Yuk! The broody escaped along with the Japanese Bantam rooster. We then went to the other tree where the 10 chicks the broody hatched roost. We caught a few of them and went back to get one more little rooster later.
Today I note that the remainder of the chicks now are roosting in the pine tree with the adults we did not catch last night. The ladder is still there, so maybe tomorrow I will climb it and see if I can get a few more. It is far easier with two people though. The catch from last night is locked in the chicken coop for a few days to get them comfortable there. I gave them food and water and a bone and picked them some green grass too. They even have a heat lamp! Luxury hotel, that pink coop is. Now, tomorrow the Ameraucana roosters have to be caught and put in a kennel to be taken to the processors. I am attempting to psyche myself up for that one, but truth be known, I am still afraid of the chickens in an enclosed building due to an unfortunate incident that traumatized me as a young child. I have come far, but catching chickens in a closed coop is pushing my comfort level. Stay tuned!
The second group down was the mother and four chicks, only there was a deposit from one of the chicks which landing right on Travis's cheek. Gross! Yuk! The broody escaped along with the Japanese Bantam rooster. We then went to the other tree where the 10 chicks the broody hatched roost. We caught a few of them and went back to get one more little rooster later.
Today I note that the remainder of the chicks now are roosting in the pine tree with the adults we did not catch last night. The ladder is still there, so maybe tomorrow I will climb it and see if I can get a few more. It is far easier with two people though. The catch from last night is locked in the chicken coop for a few days to get them comfortable there. I gave them food and water and a bone and picked them some green grass too. They even have a heat lamp! Luxury hotel, that pink coop is. Now, tomorrow the Ameraucana roosters have to be caught and put in a kennel to be taken to the processors. I am attempting to psyche myself up for that one, but truth be known, I am still afraid of the chickens in an enclosed building due to an unfortunate incident that traumatized me as a young child. I have come far, but catching chickens in a closed coop is pushing my comfort level. Stay tuned!
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