Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Almost Spring!

This morning it is rainy, just barely above freezing, and totally miserable outside. I looked out the kitchen window, and ten hens were wandering around in the mud outside the coop. Did I forget to shut one of the doors? No, both coop doors were closed. What a mystery: The chickens are always inside by sunset, and I closed the doors fairly late last night, well after dark. Maybe a little too late . . .

Mr. Opossum in the nest!
Egg production has been off over the past week or so, and now those hens are outside, but I haven't noticed anything else odd. Is it the cold weather causing a drop in production, or not enough space in the coop for everyone?

I went out and opened the coop doors for the soaking wet curfew violators, and went into the barn to feed the dogs, cats and sheep. Then back out to the coop to feed and water chickens and collect eggs. I looked in the first nest: No eggs! I looked in the second nest: No eggs! I looked in the third nest: A furry hen?!? What?!? And she has big teeth!!

I will leave the disposition of the miscreant to your imagination, but I expect we will be back up to full production soon! Have a great day!