Today I will get my two new hens: Frieda VonSmeekinChicken (a Barred Rock) and Little Chicken Annie (a Rhode Island Red).
My daughter has been raising them with her new ones and they are now fully feathered and can stay outside. I will slowly introduce them to my rooster and my other hen as I don't know what to expect.
Given the social distancing thing, my daughter is just going to drive by and toss them out her car window at me--just checking to see if you were paying attention 
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But, seriously, it will be a keeping 6 feet distance exchange. I haven't been able to visit my younger daughter and my four grandsons in person for a over a month 
.
In last night's WhatsApp video chat my 6 yo grandson, Ezra, showed me that he has lost two teeth since the last time I saw him. My 4 yo grandson, Josiah, just showed off . The older boys (ages 17 and 14) were busy doing their teenagery things (at home of course).
It helps that I live next door to my parents, and to my older daughter and her family, so I'm not completely isolated from family.
My heart goes out to any of you who are separated from family at this time. Hang in there!
10
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7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.thanks for the words of encouragement. i hope things go well for you and your family.
burnhippiesfor
Level 6
Apr 3, 2020
2
As an extrovert living alone, I feel isolated, lonely and anxious. Miss socializing and hiking with friends.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
Apr 3, 2020
2
I am more of an introvert and have family next door; but even I have moments when I feel like the walls are moving in on me. I can only imagine what its like for someone who is (was) on the go a lot.
Speaking of chickens and social distancing...I was amused to see that my local feed store has enacted a "Three-chicken" rule: visitors are told to keep three chickens' worth of space from one another.
I am currently looking to add a couple of ducks to my flock of chickens. I am nervous, though, about going to the feed store...even with the Three-chicken rule.
Those are GREAT names for chickens, by the way.
AmyTheBruce
Level 7
Apr 3, 2020
3
Thanks! My two ducks are almost fully feathered. It's crazy, they are about the same age as the chickens, but so much bigger. I read that ducks grow up faster, but I was surprised at how small the new chickens are compared to them.
I need to get their pond finished, and their area gated, so they can start staying outside.
Chickens live in a hieracy . With four chickens , one will be selected , and the others will peck on her , removing the feathers from her rear end . And that's where the term , "hen pecked ," comes from .
Cast1es
Level 9
Apr 3, 2020
3
The hierarchy thing is real, but I have rarely seen it get that bad. My girls establish dominance with a few pecks, but then leave well enough alone.
And the hierarchy can change! Bubbles was my smallest chicken, at the bottom of the pecking order, and kind of a loner. Then she was attacked by a hawk, escaped, went to the vet...and came back to kick ass! Suddenly little Bubbles was a force to be feared! She went from the bottom, straight to the top of the pecking order.
From what I have read, when there is a rooster, this is less likely as they will accept him as the dominant one. I will have one rooster and three hens. The recommendation is around six hens, or so, per rooster. I will see how this goes first.
That said, about having a rooster, I have placed an apron/saddle on my current full-grown hen because of the damage caused by the rooster hopping on her all the time. I looked today and her feathers are starting to grow back. I will also put aprons on the others if necessary.
Also, my chickens are free range during the day which also helps cut down on fights as they are not all crammed together. I only lock them up in their 10 x 10 run (with a six chicken coop inside) at night. For now, the new ones are kept inside a smaller run I have next the larger one; and I will not introduce them outside of the pen until they are full grown. For now, they can get used to each other through wire mesh.
Will you please post a picture of a chicken wearing an apron? I can't imagine it.
@LiterateHiker Here she is.
Chickens are cool, I like chickens, I live in the country, my neighbor have some, on the road to my house, they cross the road sometimes, have to get a crosswalk for the chickens, yes It;s bad the social distancing, that's good that your parents live next door, and some family, good thing about internet to communicate with family.
ml58n2
Level 7
Apr 3, 2020
2
First you made me laugh ..then head the other direction. I’ve no grandchildren, yet … though ..wouldn’t be surprised if the daughter and mate currently both ‘working from home’ aren’t ..practicing. I’m far away from all, and it never gets easier. Now catch those chickens
Varn
Level 8
Apr 3, 2020
1
Enjoy being online again!
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