Saturday, April 28, 2018

Rhode Islands are Lonely

We processed the Cornish Cross two days ago at 10 weeks of age. Average weight this time was seven pounds.  Nice sizes for our dinners with some left overs, around here. 

The RIR's are adapting to being alone.  The Cornish Cross are such mellow, laid back, chickens, that the RIRs felt safe in the larger flock.  Plus, since the CCs were much larger, the RIRs were not the dominant pushy ones in the flock, even though they were a little older.  When I check in on them, they talk and talk.

The Welsummers are doing better. The seven are laying an average of five eggs per day.  It is nice to have them back on track. They seem happier with the warmer temps.  However, when we had three days that were over 80F, the laying slowed down a bit. The first day back to normal temps, they all laid an egg!  😃

We put in an order for Freedom Rangers next fall. We are going to give them a try since they, supposedly, are comfortable with pasture grazing. But, in truth, the CCs would also eat grass, but not a lot of it.  Pastured chickens, in our experience, will take in about 15% to 20% of their nutrition with grass, worms and insects, when they have access to fresh grass/pasture.

Garlic, potatoes, oregano, bell peppers and spinach are looking great.  The hot weather may end up finishing up the spinach, now that they finally started to show growth. Will see if they end up bolting, or if we were able to trick them into thinking that it's not really that hot outside. Will know by next week.