Unpacking The New Taj Mahal Coop

Last year, Lydia ordered a fancy new flat packed chicken coop

called "the Taj Mahal" from Backyard Chicken Coops in Australia.

We decided that it was time for a coop upgrade since increasing our

flock from 2 to 3 hens (there may be a 4th hen this year so stay tuned?!)

https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/products/the-taj-mahal

Curious Speckles checked out the new coop pieces as the large boxes

were unpacked. Chickadee and Frenchy were no where to be seen. 

The sun came out on a cloudy day whilst Speckles

wandered around the new items laid on the ground.

"Inspector Speckles" poked her head in the empty box.

What's in there?

The Taj Mahal coop is fully unpacked and ready for painting and assembly.

Easter Antics

Chickadee, Speckles and Frenchy go for a walk in their enclosure at Easter.

The hens love to eat green grass which has been in

short supply after a hot and dry summer in Australia.

Speckles stands on the grape vine growing on the ground.

Speckles hunts for bugs under the grape vine.

Tails up at Easter!

Frenchy (on right) is still growing new tail feathers after moulting.

The 3 Happy Hens hunt for bugs along the fence line.

Frenchy takes the lead.

After a chilly Good Friday with a cold wind, the weather

warmed up and the sun came out over the Easter long weekend. 

Speckles finds a sunny spot in the chicken enclosure.

Chickadee, Frenchy and Speckles flock to their favourite corner to hang out.

Frenchy looks funny standing on one leg with her wings raised.

 Chickadee looks enormous as she stands in the A-frame tractor coop.

Happy Easter from 'the girls'!

Autumn Moulting

Chickadee was the first hen to start moulting last

month after she dropped all her lovely black tail feathers.

Chickadee looks like a bobtail hen!

Chickadee lost feathers on her back.

You can see the new feather spikes on the bare patch on her back.

The wind blows and fluffs up Chickadee's rear where

you can see her new tail feather spikes growing.

Chickadee looks a bit scruffy when she's moulting.

New feather spikes are visible on her wing and back.

The girls stand under the outdoor table setting.

 Chickadee shakes her whole body.

The white flakes in the air are the new feather

spike coverings which we call 'dandruff'.

Speckles started moulting a few weeks after Chickadee.

Speckles (on the right) looks like a puff ball without her tail.

The 14 month old hen is doing her first, small

moult and she hasn't lost many body feathers.

Chickadee is snoozing. The girls sleep a lot when they're moulting.

Frenchy looks 'rough around the edges' when she is moulting.

The 14 month old hen has also lost her black tail
feathers and hasn't dropped many body feathers.

Paint Your Pet Workshop

Lydia chose this portrait photo of Nestle to paint last Friday

at a 'Paint Your Pet' workshop taught by a local artist.

Although crafty, Lydia had never painted in her life and she was a bit

apprehensive about attending the workshop with a couple of friends.

Nonetheless, Lydia gave it a go and was taught the grid method of painting. 

Lydia was amazed at her painting on canvas as it

really does looks like Nestle in the photo!

Gerard was very impressed with Lydia's artwork.

Sonya and Lydia stand proud with their finished pet paintings.

We think Jen's cartoon-style poodle painting

on a pink background is very cute!

Hot Chicks

It's been a hot and dry summer in Australia with

the warm weather continuing into autumn.

The 3 Happy Hens try to cool down in their favourite dirt patch.

The hens pant in the heat.

Half-sisters Frenchy and Speckles sit close together.

Speckles in fluffed up.

Frenchy sits with her tail high in the air.

Frenchy and Speckles are panting 'hot chicks'.

Chickadee copes better with the heat than Frenchy and Speckles.

Chickadee pants on a hot autumn afternoon.

Frenchy stares straight at the camera with curiosity.

The flock stays close together.

In The Sleepy Corner

The 3 hens sit in their favourite corner.

Frenchy closes her eyes and dozes off.

Now Chickadee sitting at the back is falling asleep

whilst Speckles keeps an eye on things.

Speckles sits in between the sleeping beauties.

It's so funny watching Frenchy sleep with her

neck laying on the ground stretched out!

 Chickadee takes a moment to do some preening.

Now it's Speckles turn to take a little nap.

 Frenchy pecks the ground in front of Speckles.

Frenchy and Speckles look at the camera.

 The girls chill out.

Frenchy is sleepy in the corner with Speckles by her side.

Speckles and Frenchy Turn 1

Happy New Year!

 Speckles and Frenchy both turned one year old in early January.

They've been our pets for 6 months now (after Nestle died).

Chickadee (rear of photo, near the dirt bath under the drain pipe)

is 4 years old and is 'the boss' hen.

The hens do a lot of preening in the morning.

Speckles preens her wing whilst Frenchy stares at the camera.

Chickadee (left), Speckles (centre) and Frenchy (right) 

sit together in their favourite corner.