Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Chicken Rodeo

Yep, Another Chicken story!

I have been working on the new Chicken House and the other day I set up the stand for the nesting boxes. If you have been here before, then you know that I use milk crates for that purpose.
In the old coop I had 5 crates set up (3 across the bottom and 2 on top) and they sat at one end of the coop near the door to make it easier to collect Eggs. Well I pulled them out of the coop to transfer them to their new location and a bunch of mice came running out from under the the bedding and the RODEO was on!!

There must have been a dozen or more mice under there and there were about 5 of the hens in the coop looking to see if I had brought them anything to eat. I have never see the Hens move so fast! The mice were running all over the place and the Girls were in hot pursuit. I was standing in the door way and the mice decided that was not the way out.
So they used the Chicken door out to the Chicken run.....Where the rest of the flock was!!! Talk about "Bull Dogging"!!!). Only in this case the Bull got eaten!
Very few of the mice made it out of the run and the Girls had a great time! A few of them still scratch around that area to see if they can find any more, But the mice have decided to take up house keeping else where!

As you know, Egg numbers for 2012 were 849 and I started counting a new on New Years day. 8 days into the year and the number is 63. The cold and wet conditions we have had so far have not slowed them down at all!
I hope to get the new place finished this coming week-end. But there is a lot of over time at work and I might be there more then here. But it will get done!
Tom

6 comments:

  1. Go chickens! No wonder there are no mice in my chicken coop, LOL

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    1. Leigh,
      I need to make sure that there is no where for the mice to hide in the new CH (Chicken Hotel). Keeping stuff off the floor that they can hide under is important.
      But the Girls had a great time and added some Meat(?) to their diet!
      Tom

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  2. It sounds like your chickens had a field day chasing the mice.
    Not only are the chickens eating, there getting exercise at the same time.

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    1. Sandy,
      We could learn something from them. Outside activity is not one of my favorite things to do when it's cold and wet outside!
      Tom

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  3. My chickens could use some of that excitement! There is too much snow here right now, and they only have some worn paths and a little flat apron of dry-ish ground in front of the coop. I bet some mice running around would get them moving! Can't wait to see the new set up!

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    Replies
    1. Susan,
      We have not gotten any snow, but lots of rain the past weeks and that means MUD! I have added bags of leaves to the Chicken yard and will do the same in the new set up.
      Worked on the new CH yesterday, But back to work last night. I have a 3 day week-end this week (If I do not work overtime!) and I hope to get it all put together. Pictures will follow!
      Tom

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