Somebody's a new father....

I regularly monitor nest boxes, a martin house, and various nests built around our structures. We've had bluebirds in the nest boxes, rough winged swallows in the martin house (after the martins moved on without nesting), bluebirds and barn swallows at the shop, barn swallows at the pier, pigeons at the barn, a Carolina wren in the goat's hay bag in their shed, barn swallows and eastern phoebes under eaves of the house, and even a couple of blue jays that fledged a bit too early in the yard.

Can't imagine the bug population if we didn't have all of these wonderful bug devouring fowl!

Now if I could just have a cardinal and mockingbird nest close by :)

There have been abandoned nests, abandoned eggs, babies kicked out due to health and brood parasites (like a cow bird, although I've not seen any), and babies fledging too soon. It's a tough life for these birds but I don't interfere. I just enjoy what I can and record what I can on nestwatch.org 

Today these four babies hatched and are waiting on the fifth making some bluebirds new parents. I added the one photo because it held its head up for food and looked cute :) I attempt to get photos regularly but I often miss them. Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day!

Moving day for the guineas

Today was exciting for the itty bitties. The guineas are 6 weeks old and growing faster than weeds! They're already larger than the Bantams that are just over 7 weeks old. They've been in the run from our old coop since we moved here. It was getting a teeny bit crowded in there so it was time to move the guineas on up to their permanent living quarters. There was lots of carrying on during that process! I guess that means they'll make good security birds :)

The three chicks, Lucy, Carol, and Phyllis (think comediennes) will stay in the run until they are close to fully grown, somewhere around 5 - 6 months of age. Bantams are a smaller breed of chicken so it is necessary for them to be fully grown when introduced to the flock. The initial establishing of pecking order can be rather rough. Another reason I like my docile breeds ;) As for now, they are either feeling a little lonely, or relishing the extra wing room! My money is on wing room. 

We converted the old dog kennel to a coop for our girls. It is divided down the middle with a rather large pass through. One side is for night time roosting and the other is for eating, drinking, and nest boxes for laying eggs. I'm sure there will be changes made along the way as we observe and learn what works best for our flock. It's been secured from large critters. Next step is to add removable siding that will provide warmth and protection from the winter weather. We can then remove them to allow good ventilation during the hot summer months.

Guinea fowl roost up high while chickens roost on lower branches. I've arranged various branches found around the yard at different heights to accommodate everybody and keep the bottom girls poop free. The guineas will be confined to the roosting side of the coop until they are about 6 months old. This will help reinforce the coop as their home so they will return every night after foraging in the yard. I placed the guineas on the top branches and they were maneuvering up and down on them in no time. All my girls are brought up on water bottles because it prevents messy water bowls that can also cause health issues. You get a glimpse of our new Chicken Fountain toward the bottom right. It automatically fills and I'll be able to add apple cider vinegar to it also!

Currently the pass through is closed off because my older girls need access to their next boxes during the day so I keep that side open. We then let them in the roost at dusk. 

There are 6 pearl and 2 lavender guineas. They've just been put in their new home and aren't quite sure what to think. They're keeping an eye on the lower one who has decided to check out the food and water I've shown them. They'll all follow her once they figure out what she's found. BTW, she seems to be top guinea. The lavenders also seem to be the smartest. It'll be interesting to see which ones are girls and which are boys as they mature.

And, here's one last silly shot of a guinea :)

Good girls!

Two of the girls left eggs yesterday in their new nest boxes. Yay! Remember when I said they would all use the same box? Well, not this time... I had decoy eggs in the middle nest box and they laid one on each side of it. Silly girls! Henrietta and Reba were my layers. Maybe Lillie Mae will join them soon. Hmm, I should start checking into getting more chicks!

And, because I know you really want to see the super interesting photos that I took....

The Girls Have Nest Boxes!

The girls have been rather confused about where to lay eggs. Being stressed they can hold their eggs for up to 48 hours. I imagine a few are out in the scrub but the dogs haven't found them so... maybe not.

They're very comfy in their new digs even in this rough unfinished stage. They aren't eating their food but are getting plenty because I am checking their crops. They have been very full so I wasn't in a hurry to let them out. I want them to accept and know their new coop as home. Earlier this week I finally let them roam free after being cooped up - pun intended :) Within minutes all three were heavily engrossed in dust bathing, throwing sand everywhere and getting thoroughly covered. No need to provide sand and ash anymore. They now happily wander all over eating to their heart's content - crops overflowing with all natural bugs!

Nesting boxes were made yesterday. The girls were introduced, a slight design adjustment made, and I figure I'll soon find eggs where they belong. Happy girls! Yes, I have plans to paint after the coop is enclosed and I decide on colors. As for now you get a shot in the bare. In order from left to right, Henrietta, Lillie Mae, and Reba. 

You may be wondering if we'll build more for the newbies and later additions that I plan. Well, no. I don't want THAT many and they'll all use the same box anyway. These three nests will service about 24 just fine.