What a thrill it was to see the first egg ever in our nesting box (made from a recycled wine box). You would've thought I was the proud mama!!! I had given up hope to get any eggs until spring as I've re... more »

What a thrill it was to see the first egg ever in our nesting box (made from a recycled wine box). You would've thought I was the proud mama!!! I had given up hope to get any eggs until spring as I've read that chickens slow down their egg production during the winter months. What joy it was to hold that egg in my hand and rush it to the house to show my husband. Hopefully, we'll get more, as the cost per egg so far is about $100 in food and doesn't include the cost of the chicken tractor. Oh happy day! We're on our way! (less)

They were doing fine before I moved the tractor, but apparently they don't like change.  It's been a real learning experience, for me not my chickens, as I've had to teach them to come out of their do... more »

They were doing fine before I moved the tractor, but apparently they don't like change.  It's been a real learning experience, for me not my chickens, as I've had to teach them to come out of their door, then learn to go back in and now learning a new spot.  Quite an education they're giving me!  And also an education of hand rearing versus no human contact too - my 3 chickens were handled every day by me from their second day of life, where the 2 bantams have only been handled by humans when they needed to be caught - they still haven't eaten out of my hand and definitely do not come when I enter the garden.  Such novel experiences!!

Congrats on your young rooster being a quick study!
(less)

They get with the program pretty quick. ours will go back into the run as evening comes on when I let them out to wander. the first time I thought I was going to have to go herd them back in but when I wen... more »

They get with the program pretty quick. ours will go back into the run as evening comes on when I let them out to wander. the first time I thought I was going to have to go herd them back in but when I went to do it they had all marched in by themselves and put themselves into the coop. (less)

Well, they have a sweet undertone - they're crunchy like an apple, look like a sweet potato and can be cooked like a regular potato.  If you like I can bring some along to Heirloom and give you both s... more »

Well, they have a sweet undertone - they're crunchy like an apple, look like a sweet potato and can be cooked like a regular potato.  If you like I can bring some along to Heirloom and give you both some to eat and some to take back with you and plant - they have two types of tubers - with and without eyes - you need the eyes, like potatoes to grow new plants. 
(less)

I know huh?  It looks like one of those "mystery house" you pay to get in.  Every couple of days I'd have to rake the straw back over the entire tractor because the girls would always level it an... more »

I know huh?  It looks like one of those "mystery house" you pay to get in.  Every couple of days I'd have to rake the straw back over the entire tractor because the girls would always level it and it would all be against one side of the coop.  They're now on one of the raised bed (where it was supposed to be in the first place) and looks more normal.

(less)