raising chickens Archives - View from the Front Porch

7 08, 2020

Life Cycle of Chicks

By judythemorgan|2020-07-31T07:03:32-05:00August 7th, 2020|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

When I was grading science papers this Spring, I was reminded about life cycles. I saw many drawings of caterpillars to butterflies and tadpoles to frogs.

At Miller Farm I get to witness the life cycle of a chicken.

Of course, they start as eggs in the incubator. That part is pretty boring and lasts 21 days, usually. We always have at least one overachiever who makes their entrance early. Then they cheep loudly to encourage their friends to join them.

After they hatch and dry off they become “fuzzy butts.” These are quite cute and represent what most people think of when they picture chicks.

After a few weeks they enter the “ugly stage”. This happens as they lose their baby feathers and start to get their adult feathers. They are truly ugly.

Shortly after this stage they are in the “piglet” stage where they eat all the time. I guess that helps them grow to be full-sized chickens. Soon these guys will join the rest of the flock.

Hopefully we have enough hens to replace those who have died this summer and we won’t have to go through this life cycle again any time soon.

Right now I’m more interested in the life cycle of a grandson who will never have an ugly stage!

3 07, 2020

Lucy’s Treat

By judythemorgan|2020-06-18T18:41:02-05:00July 3rd, 2020|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

We have entered that special season in Texas where the heat and lack of rain bring out the large roaches.

They are particularly prolific in the shed and frequently crawl into the water jugs for a drink and then drown.

When I pour out the water, the roach falls out and whoever is closest grabs it.

Lucy has figured this out and now she follows me around waiting for her treat. This morning the roach fell into the water bowl.

Lucy was quick to grab it.

I pour the water that doesn’t fit into the water bowl into the duck pond.

Sometimes the roach falls out there so Lucy has learned to follow me to the pond.

I guess Lucy really likes this addition to our morning routine. She has started laying eggs again.

26 05, 2017

d’Uccle Chicks

By judythemorgan|2017-05-21T06:48:21-05:00May 26th, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|1 Comment

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Among Rachel’s recent acquisition of chicks is a pair of d’Uccles. This breed has very long feathers on its feet.

For the longest time, I couldn’t understand what Rachel was saying and called the chicks “duseldorfers”.

Rachel, having lived with me all her life, would patiently repeat “d’Uccles, Mom, D’Uccles”

I finally looked them up and seeing the name in writing helped it stay in my head. It also convinced me Rachel was not just making this all up.

She moved the d’Uccle chicks out of the chick pen in with the big girls. Since there are two we figured they would keep each other company. However, they have bird brains and one of them spent much of its time running up and down the chicken wire fence enclosing the chick pen.

The other night I discovered the poor chick with its head stuck in the chicken wire. I was afraid it was dead, but I got to it in time. I carefully removed its head from the chicken wire and returned it to the big pen with the other d’Uccle.

This afternoon I found them both in the chick pen. I have no idea how they got there but I’m leaving them alone. They may have bird brains but they know where they want to be.

31 03, 2017

Too Many Boys

By judythemorgan|2017-03-30T11:23:03-05:00March 31st, 2017|Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A guest blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

We recently discovered that the number of males determines the maximum number of birds we can have at Miller Farm. We have experienced the crowing contests among the roosters but this situation was a little more serious.

Our two resident roosters, Buffy and Kaboodle, managed to work out their place in the chicken yard. Buffy is the largest and Kaboodle respects that.

Then along came Tom, the turkey. Tom and his mate, Tina, have provided much entertainment, and pain in our lives as humans – Chicken Wrangler Sara’s fractured ankle, nightly hide and seek for Tom, cleaning and bandaging Tina’s wound. However, we had to draw the line when Tom attacked Buffy. Apparently, Tom needed to prove that he is the strongest even though he is clearly the largest. The injured Buffy became an easy target for Kaboodle causing much ruckus in the chicken yard.

Buffy was moved to “intensive care” where he could recover in peace.

We then began the search for a new home for Tom and Tina. Clearly, Miller farm was not big enough for Buffy, Kaboodle, and Tom.

Fortunately, a fellow bird lover was willing to adopt Tom and Tina.

Now Buffy is back with the hens and Kaboodle is undergoing an attitude adjustment in isolation.

Things are much quieter on Miller farm – for the moment. There are 72 eggs in the incubator in Rachel’s closet…

14 02, 2014

Letter to My Chickens – Miller Farm Friday

By judythemorgan|2014-02-14T06:00:33-06:00February 14th, 2014|Friday on the Miller Farm, Miller Farm Friday|0 Comments

A Guest Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

Dearest Ladies,

I have noticed some undesirable habits in the chicken yard lately and wanted to remind you of the rules and procedures of Miller Farm.

Do not peck at my hand when I am getting eggs. I know my hand has been cold these last two weeks, and I am sure it is uncomfortable for your warm underside. However, this is the hand that feeds you.
While we are on the topic of feeding, remember I feed you – you feed me. That’s the way it goes. I do my job every day when I give you food and you are to do your job by laying eggs. And please leave the shells intact. I prefer to crack them myself so do not do it for me.
Do not poop on my head when I am in the coop and you are perched up high. The screaming and flailing that would ensue would be unpleasant for everyone concerned.
A note to the roosters: Be quiet or be dinner. Do you remember the three noisy guys that disappeared last month?
Do not fly over the fence in any direction. The grass may appear greener, but the dangers are greater. Bella is just waiting for someone to come “play” with her.

We have done our best during the last few months to protect you from chicken-eating possums and deadly hawks. We only ask that you follow these simple rules.

Thank you,

Chicken Wrangler Sara