Feeding - how much is enough?

Not sure how much to feed our girls, I looked it up.  The UCDavis site (http://animalscience.ucdavis.edu/avian/feedingchickens.pdf) says 1.8 - 2.4 lbs/week for layers, which comes to about 1/4 - 3/8 lb./day.  Two of those pink cupfuls, well rounded, would come to 1 1/2 lbs, or the minimum for 6 girls for a day.  Make it 3 not-soo-full cups and it would be about the maximum.  Better check my math - I make mistakes more often than not.

That's just the formal feed, not the green treats or bugs.  Not sure how that would impact the feed, but I did read that popcorn (Orion's favorite treat) is just that:  a treat, like dessert, not intended to replace "real" food.

In addition to  noodles, rice, leftover cooked cereal, and of course greens (give 'em some of that vetch growing between the peaches!) they LOVE dairy, which is apparently OK for them:  yogurt, cheese, milk.  Soak dry stuff like bread in milk to make it even better and better for their digestion, I hear.

Other research results or informal discoveries of what they like?

West Run

As of this moment, Guenevere (the Head Chicken), Marie Antoinette, Mimi and Lulu are enjoying the bugs and salsify in the far end of the new West Run.  (Betty Bob and Martha Muffin would have nothing to do with being caught after they saw their four sisters disappear.)  Paul (and helpers?) will be finishing the rest of the run so that there's a gate and a place for the coop to be attached.  Until then, the girls have to go back to the East Run for the night.

vote for chicken dominance!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite MC chicken!  On the right sidebar.  Just for fun; no chickens will be given preferential treatment as a result of this poll.  xox

The spreadsheet documenting chicken project contributions and expenditures is here:  CHICKEN MONIES IN AND OUT.  Anyone who feels the urge to give a donation, Paul, Holly, Lis and Jane are accepting cash.  If you want to give a check, please make it out to one of us - we'll magically turn it into cash!  Thanks!

Tatum's Delivery Service

MC Eggs are now being delivered by kids! Another one of our Chicken-Team hopes and dreams, realized. Thanks to Tatum Day, Jessie & Jadon, who delivered eggs (with gentle guidance from Brie) to ten households this weekend!  That's right, there were over 30 eggs awaiting delivery on Sunday. The girls are on fire! If your child wants in on the action, please email myself, Paul, Holly or Jane, and we will help make it so.

I paid a night-visit to the girls a few days ago.  The weather is warm again, and Lulu has resumed sleeping on her outside perch (the knobby knee of that wild rose bush, close to the human door).  It never fails to amuse me how early the chickens settle in for the night.  The sky is still pale blue.

Things you might find if you visit the chickens:
- a hanging bunch of collards (chicken toy! but I think I'm more into it than the chickens)
- a crust of bread in the nesting box (not sure who did this... a chicken? or a pint-sized admirer?)
- also in the nesting box-- more eggs than you'd expect (I collected 8 in one day last week)
- jumping jehoshaphat! Mimi will leap for snacks! Hold a piece of popcorn in your hand and be brave!  Thanks to Janis & Joel for noticing this untapped reservoir of entertainment.

xox lis

Martha and Lulu, sittin' in a tree...

This weekend was strikingly warm, and I was cuted-out to find Martha Muffin and Lulu snuggled into the north-east corner together, in the dirt.  They did not want to move, even for my tasty carrot tops!  Chickens in love.  Nothing beats that.  xox

blue report

Our chickens, I swear, are the sprightliest and happiest in all of Davis.  An email from H earlier in the week:
"just took some snax to the ladies & found a blue egg right spang in the middle of the run near the water!  crazy chix."


And this morning, yet another blue egg, by the human-door and the water.  I actually love the freelance laying of eggs any old place... but I found another blue in the roost.  It was far larger in size.  Do we have two blue-laying birds? 


Egg count: 3 today, 1 blue stray
Deliveries: on hold, for Brunch on Monday
Notes: Their water still needs to be jiggled/poured out a little each day.  I've found it works best when not locked into position... man, that thing gets dir-ty.