Sad Day at the Chick-Inn

From the time I first decided to become a chicken keeper, I had convinced myself that I could handle the passing of any of my chicks.I had read blogs, books, magazine articles, etc. which told me that chickens die from illness, stress, fights and sometimes for no apparent reason. I was prepared.

Well, this morning, I wasn't prepared. I walked into the Chick-Inn to let the girls out into the run and there lay my Olive Egger, Miss Vegas, on the wire under the roost. She was no longer warm and must have died during the night or very early morning. The last time I saw her was when I closed the girls in for the night. She had been totally normal yesterday. She was eating, drinking and laid one of the prettiest eggs she has ever laid. There was no sign of injuries or illness. Could it have been a freak accident? Maybe she fell off the roost and hit her head. Are the others going to drop dead of an unknown illness?  Was it something that she ate? Did I do something wrong? These are questions that I am still asking myself and will continue to ask myself for quite awhile. 

The other 11 girls and I have spent today mourning her loss. Yes, there is a difference among the flock today. The girls are sitting in a group most of the time, and when I go into the run they gather at my feet. There have been a few spats among the flock. I guess the pecking order will have to change. Miss Vegas was one of the top girls and will be missed.

Ready for Spring!

I know that temperatures in the 20 degree range and snow in the 6 inch range is not a big deal to many of you, but for many people in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, it is. We are not accustomed to getting temperatures in the single digits or snow and ice more than once or twice a winter if at all. Yesterday the temperatures rose into the 60s and melted the remaining snow from last week.  I felt like a bear coming out of hibernation. So did the girls. They spent the day taking dust baths and dreaming of Spring!

Who Called for SNOW?

Just when I thought it was to warm up, I awoke this morning to a light layer of snow and 26 degrees. I quickly stepped outside the door to snap this photo and headed back inside for my morning coffee. My day doesn't start until I've had my coffee. After checking on the temperature in the Chick-Inn, which was a toasty 40 degrees,  I decided the girls could stay inside for awhile this morning. 

Nest Box Drama

Mornings can be a busy time in the Chick-Inn, however, nesting box drama can happen at any time before my girls turn in for the night. With only 12 hens, you would think 6 nesting boxes would provide plenty of choices. These girls don't all lay at the same time of day. 
They always seem to prefer an occupied box. This can create quite a bit of loud cackling and a few flying feathers!  

COOPED UP!

The temperatures for the Piedmont region of North Carolina have been in the single digits at night this week and only in the teens and 20's during the day. Being a "Newbie" to raising chickens, and also not accustom to single digit temperatures, this " Chick" and her chickens have been spending much more time "Cooped Up"...the house for me and the Chick-Inn for the girls.