TheCoop

They saw, they ate, they enjoyed. :-)

The ladies have started assuming that my appearance always means that a special treat is coming. We're going to start changing that belief today. They are obviously confused about my presence but having them all gathered around makes it easy to get video, pictures, and pet them.

Watermelon may seem like their favorite treat but nothing makes the ladies happier than some corn. We tried laying out some piles today and they were a bigger hit than the cubes. It's been really enjoyable to listen to their calls and clucking develop.

The ladies moved into a larger living space and they have wasted no time making it their own. There's much more room to exercise their wings and growing legs. The dust pit started out as a small depression earlier this morning and it's already the new thing to fight over. :-)

Are these tiny grapes? No, they're better! The ladies were excited about this new fruit. Even little Bell munched on a couple. This was a wonderful sight as she has been recovering from a hip infection and hasn't been particularly interested in treats.

The ladies got their first taste of cucumber today and it will definitely be on the menu on the future. It was quickly reduced to only the peel.

According to the ladies there is nothing better than some frozen watermelon on a hot day. The radicchio they got earlier is obviously a distant second place. It is doubtful that the watermelon will have a chance to melt before it's gone.

The ladies got another exposure to carrots today and they still aren't fans. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

It's a cool morning here today and the ladies are enjoying it! They sound much happier when the temperature is milder. And the zucchini certainly doesn't hurt either.

No outside time for the ladies today but some cauliflower will help to pass the hours.

The rain held off today so the ladies got to spend it outside. We put another cover over the chunnel just in case of a pop-up shower and they really seem to appreciate the extra shade. Here they are enjoying an afternoon snack of lettuce.

It's been unseasonably pleasant today but the overcast skies are a sign of things to come. The ladies have been really enjoying their time outside and they sound more content than usual. Hopefully tomorrow will be similar instead of the rain that's in the forecast.

It's nearing the end of the day and the ladies are enjoying the late afternoon sun. They did what they could to stay cool in the shade but it was hot and humid today. They polished off some frozen watermelon earlier but didn't have the appetite to finish their yellow squash.

The ladies sure enjoy being outside more when both the humidity and temperature are lower. Working on some corn cubes and watching the neighbor mow. This is the good life. ;-)

The ladies seem to be bottomless pits these days. They've already had watermelon, corn cubes, and a pound of their normal feed today. They are happy with the yellow squash but it's going to be gone pretty quickly.

The ladies like corn. And they also want to be cool. So when we saw this idea we had to give it a try!

It was supposed to be one of the hottest days of the summer so we thought a frozen treat would keep the ladies cool. It turned out to be cooler than yesterday but they still enjoyed their new treat. Do chickens get brain freeze?

The ladies experienced their first thunderstorm outside today. They seem to be no worse for the wear except for some soaked feathers. A few of them have some exposed skin which is attracting attention but they should dry out pretty quickly.

It's hot and humid today and the ladies are keeping activities to a minimum. They are staying under the cover most of the time but came out for some zucchini. It's not yellow squash but it was a cool snack and something different.

We had many errands to take care of today so the ladies have been cooped up. Some time visiting and a mealworm snack helps chase away some of the restlessness. Feeding them from my hand is still one of the most enjoyable parts of raising them.

First time seeing cauliflower and the ladies are loving it. This may be the first time they have had more of a treat than they could eat all at once.

The ladies had their first experience with yellow squash this morning. It was an obvious hit. Good thing because we have too much. :-)

The ladies have just returned to the brooder after about nine hours of outdoor time. They have a new set of roosts, a different feeder, and the heater has been removed. They were quite worried about all of the changes at first but seem to be adapting quickly.

The chunnel is in a new location and the ladies have been enjoying the fresh vegetation. They are enjoying some corn on the cob for dinner. It may now be their favorite treat but mealworms are still a close second.

The ladies definitely recognize me as someone who brings them food. The way many of them run to me as I approach the chunnel says it all. :-)