1/27/26 Snow

 We had a light snow on Jan 27, and didn't let the chickens free range in it...they will walk around in it and get frost bite. Here they are, doing chicken things in their world :-)

The Flock - 1/23/26

 Here's a shot of some of the flock, free ranging about an hour before dark...

Coop and Run Work, 1/21/26

I converted the next box and Coop from straw to shavings. The deep mulch method is GREAT! Turn it over every few days, toss more in. Replace it about every 6 weeks. 

In installed a new thermostat on the chicken house heat. It controls a 150w red heat lamp. The lamp is mounted high so they can't peck it, but far enough below the ceiling so as to not get it hot. Comes on at about 36°f, and off about 45°f. Had these for 10 years, works great, and is cheap!

I put in fresh straw in the run, and the chickens ran back in to explore. These birds have it made! 

Nest boxes with pine chips...

Coop with pine chips...

Heat lamp, baby monitor, and night light...

I have the little LED night lamp on a wi-fi switch so it turns off on a schedule, once they're all settled in for the night. I can also turn it on to peep in there with my wi-fi chicken house cam...

Power cube for baby monitor...

This is the thermostat I use...

Betsy - A Barred Rock

 Betsy was born in the summer of 2025. She was in a flock of 7, and we didn't think she would make it. She was small and under developed, much smaller than the rest. She could only take a step or two, then fall on her face. We handled her, tried to make sure she was protected and fed. You would never know it now. What a beautiful bird she has become!

Goldilocks 1/10/26

 Goldilocks is an Ameraucana, sometimes called an "Easter Egger" because of the blue-green eggs. Her "ear muffs" and "beard" are a giveaway for that breed.