A SLIDE SHOW

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SPENDING TIME WITH DUCKS

I went out the middle of the day while it was misting snow and took pictures of my ducks.

This is Erin and Leigh.

He's such a handsome duck.

They are seven to eight months old now and they aren't laying yet.

This is Dusty. What a handsome duck. We didn't know until last month he was a male. We have three ducks and they all looked alike. Then he started transforming. It was amazing to watch.

COME VISIT MY FACEBOOK PAGE

I haven't posted in sometime, sorry about that. Please come and visit me on my Facebook Page also called Hen Haven. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hen-Haven/242203055790087

LITTLE LADIES DAY!

Little Lady laid her first egg today. Can you guess which one?

TWO PLUS ONE

When I went out today to gather my two eggs I found three. That means I have a new layer. I wonder if it might be Buffy because earlier she was cackling and so was Pop. First time I'd heard that from her. Maybe I can find out for sure tomorrow.

HANGING OUT

As I was watching Comet, I looked over and noticed the other chickens were grooming. Pearl sits down then Buffy sits down. These chickens are amazing.

COMET LAID HER FIRST EGG

My first brown egg was laid today by Comet. I was out at the coop this morning adding a plant to my window box and I heard her making a different sound. I could see her inside on the perch and then got into a nesting box. She got out and went back outside. A while later she was back in there and so was Pop our rooster. She got back into the nesting box and he joined her. Since when do roosters get in with the hens?

Anyway, by then I had already taken the straw out of the coop and nesting boxes. It was clean out time. But since she seemed serious about something I put straw back into one of the boxes "just in case". She stayed in the nest so I went out and closed the door behind me. Went in for some lunch and guess what I had when I got back? A beautiful brown egg! It made me so happy. Isn't she a beautiful hen? I just had to show her off. Now I have two layers.

OUTDOOR VISIT

NEW CHICKS

My new chicks checking out their new living quarters.

Aren't they cuties?

My three new Silkies I bought on Friday. They are five weeks old. How I hope one of them is a female.

They went outside to their new coop for a couple of hours today. The temperature has dropped drastically, from the upper 90's on Saturday and Sunday to 60's today with rain. I'll be keeping them inside in a large pet taxi during the night for a while.

I got two Light Brahma's also. My intentions originally was Silkies but once I got there I wanted more than what I brought home. I'll be returning in a couple of weeks for a few more varieties then I'll be finished until next Spring. LOL.

The one in the back hiding is a 11 week old Polish. A totally surprising purchase for me. I've seen them in catalogs and didn't care for how they looked but once I come up on this one I couldn't turn away. He/she is eleven weeks old. Very unique looking and allowed me to hold her (I hope) for a long time before we left the hatchery with no problem. My kind of chicken.

My first female Silkie's name will be Liza.

OATMEAL TIME

EARLY BIRDS!

My chickens and ducks are in the coop by 7:30 p.m. here lately. It has really amazed me how they go in on their own. As I watch the hens during the day I can tell who's who in the pecking order. It was noticeable not long after our new additions arrived. Pearl, who was our first hen is number one of course. Buffy is second in line, then Comet is three. Speck (temporary name) then Little Lady. Pearl is Pop's number one chick but Buffy is after the spot, she wasn't shy at all approaching him. He is such a "gentleman" rooster. When it was only him and Pearl I noticed he'd scratch a area for her and when she stepped forward he'd step back. He does that every time. They always eat before he does. What a great rooster.

MY DUCKS SLOWLY APPROACHING ADULTHOOD

They just got out of the pool.

MY CHICKENS

We made an outdoor roost for them this past Sunday. I was clearing out around the coop area and found a old cedar post. It looked like the perfect piece of wood to use. It didn't take long before each one had to try it out.

Barred Rock and Little Lady wanting to join but a little apprehensive about Buffy.

Buffy really likes it. She perched there for a while and got herself groomed in no time.

My little rooster, he is so cute and tiny. But acts as though he's as big as Pop. He's our Little Man around the coop.

Sweet little ???, still searching for a name. She sounds like a songbird when she chirps. I can always tell when she's around.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

LITTLE MAN & LITTLE LADY

He wanted to get to her.

AFTERNOON PHOTOS

Little Lady is on the wrong side of the fence.

Same here, but she doesn't seem to mind. Little Man on the other side just about can't stand it. He's the reason she's out anyway. He was chasing after her and she flew out, she just can't figure how to get back in. She's walked all around the fence but doesn't get anywhere. He's following as she goes. So cute.

Here's Comet who is also on the outside of the coop. She is so beautiful. She won't let me hold her yet.

Little Man still wanting to be with his Little Lady.

Pop had flew the coop for the afternoon too. He then decided to come back and join us for a treat.

THE OLD BRIDGE

I've had this old bridge for years under a tree in my front yard flower bed. So instead of throwing it away I decided to bring it to the chicken yard. I then planted monkey grass ( I believe that's what it's called) on each side. It had the pretty purple spikes bloomed out on it. Do you see it now? I really didn't expect it to last very long but it was pretty for a little while. I wasn't sure if the chickens would walk across it or not. I sit it near where they have their dust baths in the afternoon. Later on I got a few shots of their activity.

I see Pearl in laying at the edge of the bridge and Pop it over to the side about to stir up a mess. Buffy is underneath and the Barred Rock is having some water. By the way, the water container was clean a couple of hours earlier. Those ducks make a mess, I have to blame them. I believe Comet may be chewing on my plant and the ducks are doing one of their favorite things, eating.

Little Man and Lady are sitting on the bridge talking about their future plans for a family. That makes me very happy. The sooner the better. I've been noticing Buffy and Pop are getting a little close, Pearl might want to keep an eye on her. Ducks still doing their favorite thing.

By the time Pop finishes he is filthy. Buffy and Pearl and becoming friends for now. Pearl is the number one hen for now Buffy is next in line. Hopefully more will be laying soon. I'm almost down to my last egg. Pearl hasn't laid one in several days now. The weather I hope.

I enjoyed my afternoon watching them and taking a few pictures. They have adjusted to their new home well.

As I've heard many people say they do have their own unique personalities. I love my chickens and look forward to getting a few more.

DUCK TIME

Clean water doesn't last around here.

I believe we have three girls.

They stick together all the time. I love watching them.

The color is beginning to appear in their feathers.

Playing around in their mud puddle mini pond.