For Me To Poop On

Hello all! Feels good to be back in the game of blogging about chickens. I've missed all the excitement! So today's topic deals with what I've discovered is an unfortunate side issue with owning backyard chickens: POOPING. More specifically I'm referring to their tendency to poop on things they should not. I'm not begrudging them their right to poop. That would be preposterous. As the Taro Gomi book states, "Everybody poops" and that goes for chickens too. It is just that they poop on....well...anything they can stand on top of. Let's observe.

 

We had been keeping the chickens food in a wooden box on our side porch. One day recently I came home from work to find that they had camped out near their food for what appeared to be ALL DAY LONG. They pooped on everything. It was horrible. I'm going to show you the worst one now. Prepare yourself. 

Gah! This is a picture of the concrete right outside our patio door that day. The five hens did that in an 8 hour span. The poop went on for what seemed like miles, but in reality was only about six feet. But still. Ew. It was really concentrated right by the door as if they wanted to get in and poop on everything in there, too. 

So tonight I went outside to check on them and I found them chilling on the picnic table, like a school yard gang of fluffy punks. They had an insolent air about them. I can't explain it. You have to be tuned into chicken vibes. 

As I got closer I could see that they were pretty at ease, having claimed the picnic table as their own. And then I saw just how far they had taken this marking territory thing. Der POOP AGAIN! 

 Frickity Frick! I have come to the conclusion that if they can manage to flap atop something, anything, they will poop on it shortly thereafter. They feel superior having accomplished a quasi flight. I guess maybe they get excited after? But really it's probably just because chickens poop ALL the time. My friend Heidi tried to warn me about this before I got my chicks, but did I listen? NO. Well I did but at the time I was thinking I could handle the poop (not literally) of five fat hens. 

 Check out Caterpillar. She was all like "What are you looking at? I got up here using my chicken wings and then I did this...

I rule." 

Can't argue with that I guess. 

After they were done using our picnic table as a chicken dump yard they decided to move on to fresher pooping pastures. The good news is that I'm LEARNING from these experiences. I've learned two things so far:

1. Store chicken food indoors where they can't smell it. They're like blood hounds with beaks and scary raptor claws. 

2. They like to be up high on things. Don't let them fly up on your head or shoulders because you will shortly thereafter be pooped on. 

And so it goes. Are you tired of looking at chicken poop yet? I am. I'm going to go look at a glass of wine now, and then I'm going to drink it. Cheers, Chickadees! 

The Salmonella Fear Factor

Good morrow to you all! That's how they used to say good morning in old timey times. So the topic of this post shall be part chicken anatomy and part dispelling myths about fresh eggs and salmonella. My friend Robin sent me a text last night that read, "Do chickens only have one hole for things to come out?" And a bit later she asked, "Do they come out a poop hole or a mommy hole?" *sigh* Oh, Robin. Then it occurred to me that I didn't know the answer to this question. I guess Robin and her kickball buddies were discussing salmonella and how eggs, if they come out the same chute as the poo, could be contaminated with salmonella. So let's discuss. 

Meet icky Mr. Salmonella. Ew, right? So the question is does the egg come out the same "exit" as the poo. And the answer is YES. The egg is deposited through the VENT. The Vent is located at the back end of the chicken, just under the tail. , it is a small opening in the form of a horizontal slit, about an inch wide. It is surrounded by a ribbed rim, with skin and feathers on the outside. 

Chickens, as well as other birds, have a common opening for reproduction, and for the evacuation of stools/urine mixture.They do not have a bladder because their urine is not a fluid. It is a white paste, called urates.. The intestine, ureters and oviduct come together into a common chamber called the cloaca. This is a rather dirty place, but the egg is always clean and almost sterile when laid unless it is laid on top of or in fecal matter in the nest.

The reason the egg is always clean coming out is because the intestine and inner part of the cloaca are kept shut by the emerging egg, and their contents cannot leave when the hen strains to deliver the egg. Therefore, eggs are always clean as they are laid. However, sometimes a hen, stomping around the nest with dirty feet, will get the egg dirty anyway.

Sorry about the super un-awesome picture, but it is very good as far as showing how it all works. And there is another reason eggs are safe from salmonella upon exiting the vent, one that protects from salmonella even if the hen steps on the egg with poopy feet. Eggs are laid with what is called a "bloom" which naturally protects it. This is the coating on the egg shall that seals its pores. Also known as the cuticle, it helps to prevent bacteria from getting inside the shell and reduces moisture loss from the egg keeping it fresh longer. Eggs should be rinsed right before use, but not washed. Doing so would remove the natural protective "bloom" barrier. 

So there you have it. One vent does it all. It's a clean process and the egg is naturally protected from any germs. Neat! And it should be kept in mind that the vast majority of organic backyard chickens don't have salmonella. It's more common in mass producing chicken farms. And you can get salmonella from a lot of things, including unwashed vegetables!

That's my daughter Evelyn in the picture above. She's holding Birdsbun and is surrounded by the curious neighbor kids. They thought the chickens were so cool and chased them around all day (poor chickens). Evelyn was the only one brave enough to actually hold one, though they all petted Birdsbun. And more importantly, they not one of them came down with salmonella poisoning! I did ask them to wash their hands afterward but I have my  doubts about whether or not those boys actually listened to me. Boys never listen (to me).

Here are some links to more info on fresh egg sanitation:

http://www.suburbanchicken.org/eggs.htm

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/10/eggs-to-wash-or-not-to-wash.html

http://smallfarm.about.com/od/farmanimals/a/How-To-Clean-Eggs.htm

Have a SUPER day! 

The Cluckster 

Chicken Lady

It occurred to me as I was gazing lovingly out the window at my chickens the other day that people might think that it is not normal to gaze lovingly at chickens. I envisioned what readers must envision me as. I didn't like what I saw. 

Gah!! 

Jeepers Criminey. 

Oops. That's Calista Gingrich. But she came up when I googled "Chicken Lady" and that's kind of funny. Gah! Crazy eyes!! Look away!! 

But in reality I look like this. Whacked out and content in my alternate chicken universe. Does Birdsbun look scared to you in this picture? Naw can't be. 

Later, chickadees! 

Getting to Know Your Chickens III: White Rock

Greetings chicken lovers! I hope you are all well. This post will feature the last breed of hen in our backyard flock, the White Rock. When I told Sunshine it was her turn to be featured on the blog and that I needed to take some solo pictures of her she got a little bit camera shy all of a sudden. 

 Me: Sunshine I want to get a picture of you. Please get over here. 

Sunshine: Whaaat? La la la I can't hear you. I have feathers in my ears. 

 Me: Sunshine, get over here! I don't have all day. I need to blog! 

Sunshine: Doo doo doo, I'm just hanging out back here with my peeps. Don't hear anything. 

Me: SUNSHINE! GET OVER HERE THIS INSTANT OR NO MORE CATERPILLARS!

Sunshine: Oh! Hey Ma! Didn't see you over there. 

She even smiled for me in this one....a chicken smile is a subtle thing, but it exists. It does!! So the White Rock is actually just a variety of the Plymouth Rock breed. This breed originated in the United States and there are eight different colors within the breed. They are a long lived, winter hearty breed, and they are good layers. They lay eggs that range from medium brown to light brown with a touch of pink. 

This is what they look like as babies. Gah! So cute! I want to put them in the pockets of my long comfy old lady like cardigan sweater (if I had one) and I'd just pull them out randomly and snuggle them against my bifocals. Their temperament is very gentle and easygoing, and they are quite graceful. Very beautiful downy white birds. Sunshine sticks out like a sore thumb in our flock of otherwise red and black hens. 

Oh, Sunshine, we adore you so. Don't ever change. Except enough that you are old enough to lay us some delicious eggs. Then you should definitely never change after that. 

Here is a link to more info on the White (Plymouth) Rock breed. Enjoy! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Rock_(chicken)

Thanks for reading! And please feel free to leave comments. I've never had a comment before. I'd be thrilled to get a comment. COMMENTS! WEE! Ok I'm done now. 

Chicken Manners

Do birds have manners? Based on my observations of our backyard flock I'd have to say yes, but some have better manners than others. For example, the biggest hen in our group, Sunshine, is a bad mannered, pushy, rude, glutton when it comes to feeding time. Observe the bird butt. 

The feeding tray is big enough for two or three to stand on each side and eat in an orderly manner. Sunshine (the white one) plops herself down right in the middle of the tray, putting her feet IN the tray, and proceeds to gobble as much food as she can get into her gullet. I did not raise her that way. Maybe she's in her rebellious teen stage. 

At one point Caterpillar looked up at me like "are you serious with this pushy broad?" 

It's understandable. Look at this! It's shameful. Poor Birdsbun is being forced to eat around Sunshine's feet. I expect better of these ladies. I mean, don't get me wrong, I have a sister and we spent plenty of our adolescence trying to annoy each other. But I think this is just uncalled for. We'll work on it.

She got her comeuppance shortly after eating time when all the other hens jetted off to the bushes for some girl talk/bug eating bonding time, and they tried to ditch her. She's like, "hey wait up ladies! Sorry I stepped in your dinner! It's all good, right?"  NO. 

XO 

Getting To Know Your Chickens 2: The Rhode Island Red

Hello All! Hope everyone is doing swell. My apologies for the full week between posts, but it's unavoidable sometimes. As many of you readers know I am a working mom and my nights, once the kids are in bed, are usually dedicated to work (and exercise thrown in there sometimes). By the time I am finished I just want to SLEEP. Besides, I am aware of the fact that you can only read a blog about chickens so many times per week. So I'd say one post a week is pretty reasonable. Please leave me a comment if you disagree and if you want MORE chicken posts. I'd love to know. SOOOO this post will be dedicated to the second of our three breeds of chickens, the delightful Rhode Island Red. Behold Rose! 

Ok that introduction was a tad dramatic. Maybe. But isn't she purty? This breed is a popular choice for backyard flocks because of their egg laying abilities and winter hardiness. Winter hardiness is definitely a good thing when you live in Wisconsin. Our winters are NOT mild. Just thinking about it makes me want to put the flannel sheets back on my bed. 

Here is a lovely photo of a fully grown Rhode Island Red hen. They have beautiful rust colored feathers, yellow feet, and golden colored eyes. They can lay up to 300 eggs per year or more! Yowza! They lay lovely brown eggs. In their first year of laying their eggs have been known to be so big they can't fit into standard egg cartons! 

And they have a nice temperament. Look! Cat and chicken living in harmony together! Rhode Island Reds are generally easy going and we've found this to be the case with our girl, Rose so far. 

Rose in profile in the yard today. She was really enjoying herself. It's caterpillar season and there was a feast going on. Or a massacre, depending on how you feel about caterpillars. 

This picture is a terrible action shot. I took it with my phone, which is terrible at taking action shots. But you'll notice that she is running toward me and not away. She likes me! Come to mama, Rosie! 

In conclusion, these are great birds. Here's a link to more info on the breed since I know your thirst for knowledge on the subject has been whetted something fierce by now! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhode_Island_Red

Last but not least shall be the revered, the fantastical, the very puffy...White Rock Chicken! Prepare yourselves for blowing of your minds. 

xo

Fact: The French word for chicken is "POULET". 

J'adore POULET! 

Getting To Know Your Chickens

Greetings all you lovely readers out there! Hope you are all swell. Ready for more chicken fun? Great! The next three posts will be dedicated to getting to know each chicken breed in my mini flock, specifically which breeds they are and their individual characteristics. Cool, right? I know! So first up we have Birdsbun, Clucky, and Caterpillar. I'm lumping them together because they are all of the same breed, which is  BLACK AUSTRALORP. Sounds fancy, doesn't it? They are probably the fanciest breed we have. 

Here is a picture of me talking to one of our blacks. I believe this one is Clucky. Every night I go out to the coop and hold each bird individually for a few minutes, and we have a nice chat. Evelyn, my oldest child happened to be assisting me the night these pictures were taken. But in all honesty, I prefer to do the routine alone. It's important bonding time for the hens and I. The kids have plenty of time to squish the chickens with their love during the daytime. Evening  visits are sanctuary time for the pullets (fancy word for hens that are not quite grown up yet). 

This is what the black australorps will look like once they are fully grown. That will be around their 5 month birthday, in early August. Aren't they wonderfully fat and glossy black? I would use one as a pillow if she would allow such nonsense. My girls don't really take well to any shenanigans. They're pretty serious for chickens. Sometimes I envision them wearing tiny pairs of reading glasses with a chain attached and wound round their necks, like fluffy bird librarians. 

Here is a picture of a black australorp egg with a quarter on top so you can get a better idea of their size. Aren't they adorable? So adorable I want to cradle it in my hands and coo at it like a lunatic. Is there such a thing as too much info when you're blogging? Yeah, I figured as much. Moving on...

Gah! Mine used to be this small! They're only 8 weeks old now and they've turned into MONSTERS, comparatively speaking. 

So I've read on "The Google" that "they are one of the best layers of light brown eggs of all the heavy breeds. A flock of Black Australorps with their glossy black plumage, which has a greenish-purple sheen, and their larger than average bright red combs make an unusually handsome sight. They are big birds, hens weighing 5 to 7 pounds. They have a pinkish white skin and plump bodies which dress out nicely once the birds have their final plumage." 

They sure are glossy, and they're already starting to get the greenish-purple sheen, too. *sigh* I love them. I swear I look out the window ninety two times per day just to see them hanging out around their coop. If I'm home all day I let them out to wander the yard. They prefer to hang out in the wooded areas of our property, not too far from the coop. They like to be close to their house.  

To close, here is a link to a website that was instrumental in helping me decide on the breeds to choose for our mini flock. This link will take you to the Australorp page specifically. 

http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Australorp-B14.aspx

You're welcome. 

I'll follow up soon with a post about the mystical RHODE ISLAND RED! I really should try to stop shouting things at you guys. I just get so excited. Anyhoo, here is your latest and greatest fun fact about chickens. Until next time, friends. 

America eats 8 billion chickens a year. 

Gah! 

XO