» Birds

Pheasants Fly the Coop Literally

Annette Johnston — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:24:51 +0000

On Monday evening when I went to feed everyone, I noticed that two of my gorgeous red-golden pheasants were gone. I searched high and low in their pen, but they were definitely gone. I found a small opening under the fence bordering the pond, which must have heaved during the winter, and that must be how they got out. I looked around the yard, but did not see or hear them. On Tuesday morning, when I was headed to the barn to feed breakfast, I heard a pheasant cackle from the trees lining the edge of my property. I quickly grabbed my trusty fishing net with a long handle, and tried to catch the pheasant. There was too much brush, and he got away. A few minutes later, my dog Kandi, alerted me that he was in the back yard, near the fence. I stealthily walked over with my net, and when he tried to fly away again, I swooped in with the net and caught him! I put him back in the pen with his brother, and I have naturally fixed the fencing so he won’t escape again.

Hens are Laying Lots of Eggs

Annette Johnston — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:19:27 +0000

I am busy gathering many eggs every day. The new young hens grew up, and they are laying their little hearts out for me. I have a hard time keeping up with washing the eggs. I sell them once a week at my Chamber of Commerce meetings. These hens are unusual in that while I have several boxes they can use to lay their eggs, but they seem to prefer just one. The ladies line up to use one box, and the other boxes stay pretty much empty. I have lights on so they get 14 hours of light each day. This is so they will keep laying this winter. With the high price of chicken feed, they'd better keep laying!



Young Hens Have Started Laying Eggs Already!
Annette Johnston — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:16:10 +0000
My new chickens are starting to lay eggs.  They are small now, which is common, but will soon become normal-sized.  Some of these hens are so beautiful, especially the Silver-Laced Wyandottes.  They will lay a brown egg, when they start.  The Leghorns are busy already, and will be my most-reliable layers.  Next month, I will have to remember to set up a light and timer so they get enough hours of daylight to keep laying this winter.



Adorable Baby Chicks Arrive at Frolic Farm!
Annette Johnston — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:08:43 +0000
I picked up 8 new chicks yesterday at New Haven Elevator, that I had ordered in March.  I bought a nice variety of pullets, and they should eventually lay green eggs, or brown.  My adult hens are getting old, and not laying so many eggs anymore, so I have to get their replacements started.  I still keep the old hens around, as retirees, and they don’t end up in the stewpot!  I enjoy raising the chicks.  They are very cute, and tiny.  I’ll keep you posted as they grow.
Weather is much more like spring now, but I still have a few patches of snow on the north side of the barn.



New Birds Arrive at Frolic Farm
Annette Johnston — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:07:13 +0000
Yesterday, I picked up some new birds to add to the menagerie; 2 new peafowl, and 2 new red golden pheasants.  They are each 1 year old, and very beautiful.  The red goldens are Chinese, and look almost like a parrot with a long tail.  They are not as pretty yet as my pheasant Tony.  As they get older, the feathers seem to turn brighter in color.  Hence, Tony has bright gold feathers on his head, while the new birds have more of a faded yellow.  Tony’s red feathers are brighter too.  Tony is about 4 years old.  I’m sure he will become good friends with the new birds.  They will take turns admiring themselves in front of their mirror in their house in the barn.
The new peafowl are a young yearling peahen that is a very pretty shade of tan, and her new husband is an India Blue peacock like the rest of my peafowl.  At least he is supposed to be a peacock and not a peahen.  Time will tell, as his tail starts growing.
We are looking forward to better springtime weather at Frolic Farm.  It is still cold when doing chores in the morning.