• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bless this Mess
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Sides
  • Desserts
  • Snacks
  • Holidays
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Recipe Filter
  • Cookbooks!
  • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Filter
    • Cookbooks!
    • Our Story
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Bless This Mess > Life on the Farm > Our Family > Our Animals

    Birds of a Feather Stick Together

    Published: Nov 9, 2012 · Modified: Sep 11, 2020 by Melissa · 1 Comment

    I have a hard time not calling the remaining three chickens "the survivors" after that tragic day the neighbor's dogs killed six of my hens (Heartbreak and details on that day here). But survivors they are. After a few days of not laying, due to stress from the incident, they've bounced back just fine. One thing I've noticed though is that they never leave each other.
    The remaining three chickens have forged a new bond since their friends died and I rarely see them apart. It's pretty cute really.
    I camera-stalked the ladies one afternoon and it was really fun for me. Here's what they look like most of the day. Eating, eating, eating.  I love this picture because you can see all three of their tails up in the air. They've been eating the dried dandelions puffs which doesn't sound all that appealing too me, but it's fun to watch. Man, having backyard chickens is fun.
    raising chickens, chicken breeds

    Meander, eat, meander, eat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

    chickens at home, raising chickens for eggs
    And when they aren't eating together they are resting or sleeping or bathing together. Here are all three taking a dirt bath together. I really should take a video of the dirt baths because they are so funny. The hens twist and roll all around, fluff up their feathers, and kick the dirt up really fast with their feet. You've never seen anything like it! I can't help but watch and laugh at them when they are out taking a bath.
    chickens taking a dirt bath, hens staying together
    Isn't she pretty? Can you see the feathers under her chin and around her eyes (they look like fluffy ears from the front). She's an Ameraucana who is considered "bearded". I think of her as the bearded lady. But my, is she a good lookin' bearded lady.
    Ameracuana chicken breed, bearded hen, bearded chicken

    In other chicken news: I'm getting no eggs. The hens lay depending on the number of hours of light in the day, and apparently we get too few now for them to lay. I think they need about 12 hours of daylight to keep laying. Online I read about having a light on in the coop. You can buy timers too so that the light goes on and off as needed so that the hens get the 12 hours of light they need a day. Lots of people do this. Lots of people also leave a light on all night for heat and egg purposes. There was also some talk of letting the hens have the winter off because it's part of their natural laying cycles.

    I haven't decided what I want to do yet, and I don't currently have electricity out to where the coop is. So at the moment I'm just not getting eggs. I may reconsider the setup as the weather gets colder, but I'll let you know as things change. Any chicken owners have thoughts on winter lights for hens?

    There you have it. A little update on the few chickens I have left. Don't worry though; I'll get new chicks in the spring and we'll start our journey again. Thanks for letting me share this hobby with you. If you can't tell, I really like it!

    Thanks for stopping in,
    post signature

    Keep in touch! Blogging is way more fun when I get a chance to connect with you.
    I frequent Facebook and Pinterest most, so by all means, tag along and say hello.
    « How to Safely Handle Hot Peppers (without buying plastic gloves)
    How to get Crusties off your Countertop »
    Craving More

    Get my FREE meal plans, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Unsubscribe if you aren't into it.

    about me

    About Melissa

    Melissa is dedicated to helping parents figure out the nightly questions, "What's for Dinner?!" with her no-fuss approach to cooking. Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Monica Fredo

      August 30, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      Felicidades! Me has dado muy buenas ideas para mi proyecto!!
      Lamento mucho tus gallinas muertas.
      Saludos desde Uruguay

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’M MELISSA, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU GET DINNER ON THE TABLE.

    Welcome! I’m Melissa and I'm here to help you make meals your entire family will love. As a mom of five, I know the importance of simple family-friendly recipes. Let’s get cooking!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Shrimp Stir Fry
    • a plate stacked with chocolate chip cookies next to a bag of semi sweet chocolate morsels
      The Original Toll House Cookie Recipe
    • two sourdough starters in glass canning jar
      How to Make a Sourdough Starter
    • chicken and dumplings in white bowl on blue and white towel
      Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings Soup
    • sourdough bread in dutch oven with red handles
      My Favorite Go-To Sourdough Bread Recipe
    • Easy Apple Pie Recipe | Classic Apple Dessert Recipe For Thanksgiving!
      Easy Apple Pie Recipe (Using Fresh Apples)

    Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Image of Gingerbread Cookies
      Soft Gingerbread Cookies
    • Mom's Jumbo Dinner Rolls
    • Image of perfect pie crusts
      4 Recipes for a Perfect Pie Crust
    • Photo of Apple Cake
      The Best Easy Apple Cake
    • whole cooked brown sugar glazed ham on white plate
      Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
    • Image of a pecan pie with some plates
      The Best Pecan Pie Recipe
    Dinner Made Easy

    Get Recipes & More for Free!

    Get my FREE meal plans, exclusive recipes, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes updates! Unsubscribe if you aren't into it.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Tools.
    • Terms Of Service.
    • Accessibility.
    • Bylaws.

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Us
    • Cookbook FAQ
    • Find A Recipe!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 blessthismessplease.com. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter