At one of my apiaries, three hives, the property owner has 11 laying hens. I love chickens, always have. I loved it when grandma would send me out to her coop in Ford City – across the oil ditch north of Taft California.
Well, since I am mostly retired and have time in between my beer drinking/brewing duties and the occasional consulting job I have been spending more time with Troy’s chickens. I recently built some nesting boxes that can be accessed from outside the coop. I relocated roosting bars the keep the boxes cleaner but realized I need to do something to keep the rainwater generated mud out….,Hey Troy, would you mind if I build an awning? Haven’t had the conversation but I think he will let me play.
Today I picked up 10 eggs from the 11 hens. Can’t be unhappy with that! I do need to have a do better chat with one of the hens. She is short changing the egg laying process!
Do you see what I am talking about? One of her coop mates will sometimes lay a double yolk egg but no excuses! I also spent some time pulling weeds and tossed them into the coop! They appear to love the variety in their diet.
I love the slomo iPhone capabilities!
Bee stuff;
The bees are looking good too! I will rehouse the small topbar hive into a full sized box next week. The topbar hive in another location, that I assumed was queenless, may have fooled me. When I stopped by after a beer at “The Draught” today – I saw pollen being hauled in. Not a definitive sign of a queen in the hive but it does require a peek inside, again, in the next day or two!
A photo from a few years ago with one of my topbar hives!
TTFN
Bishop
From My Backyard 
Mar 02, 2018 @ 22:34:33
I loved the video and I’m envious of the chickens! Occasionally I mention my interest and the family looks at me in horror. I guess we don’t need more responsibility, but I think i was meant to live on a farm. 🙂 The bees thrill me as well. You have some wonderful interests with very cool results!
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Mar 05, 2018 @ 04:10:29
Wow, funny when you move to the city, you forget some country things. I lived 7 miles from Lapeer, Michigan …country for sure. And grandma Dutton had two chicken follow. Fresh eggs always. JoAnne on the other hand had horror stories. She was attacked by her grandma’s chickens. Thanks for sharing your life. Chuck
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Mar 12, 2018 @ 20:57:59
I loved helping grandma with her chickens. I did not do too well the first time I tried to wring the neck of one! I do wish I had 10 or so acres to keep bees, garden and chickens all in one place.
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