Predator Dangers with Backyard Poultry

Sturdy housing, fencing without loose staples or nails and ensuring your flock is tucked in safely at nightfall is essential.

Well, even the a professional poultry lunatic such as myself has a run in or two with predators. In the spring we lost a turkey to three juvenile foxes and I was sickened. Luckily for them they ran off with their full bellies full like Ronald McDonald. No, wait..I'm thinking of the purple guy..what's his name...Hamburgler? Is that right? Yep, those little foxes ran off wallowing in their fullness just like Hamburgler. Gross.

So, needless to say we've had another series or run-in's with predators. Coyotes' this time. It's an awful shame to loose an animal you care for. I get that there's a circle of life but I'm going to complete our farm (and its circle of life) by getting a Livestock Guardian Dog to protect what is on our farm for a reason. We've got dogs but these dogs are scare-de-cats when it comes to howling coyotes. And, I can't quite say I blame them.


The good news is that our heritage Royal Palm and Bourbon Reds are growing like little weeds. Shown here atop the wood pile sneaking a peak inside the kitchen window wishing it was open. A few have made their way into the house by way of following a nosy Buckeye hen. A nosy hen who insists on laying her eggs under the drawing table in the office. I've got an open door policy so it's difficult to keep the hens out, dogs in (or dogs out), cats out (or cats in), so at times there's a few chickens and maybe a juvenile tom turkey on the tile floor looking for some grub.

Baby Chicks Hatch & Spring Hens

The chicks hatched on August 23rd! I could kick myself for not getting pictures of them taking their first beak full of water, food and stretching out those legs. But here they are on August 25th just two days old scurrying about their brooder in complete happiness.

All that's needed to start your own backyard flock is a heat bulb, water fountain, some chick starter and a safe, draft free location - preferably inside your house, garage, barn, storage room or basement. And, of course some baby chicks.

In the Spring (when the snow melts)the ladies shown here will be available for sale!

Where's the Ranch Hag?

We've had a ton of inquiries and wanted to make certain to keep you updated. Here's our update on flying the coop.

We are tending the garden (chicken proofing), adding-on to coops (so we can have more chickens!), preparing the pastures for the turkeys, incubating chicken eggs, developing and creating new treats for your chickens and with the book due in November, Dawn has been typing, typing, typing.

In addition to all that typing she's collecting material submissions to include. If you have anything to submit please forward to dawn@ranchhaghens.com. Include your name, city and state and any information you'd like. Please send photos as attachments as opposed to including them in the text of your e-mail.

Royal Palm and Burboun Reds Hatching

The eggs hatched on July 14th and the heritage turkeys continue to grow, grow, grow. They'll be outside foraging and playing in the tree branches in no time.
Here they are at two weeks old!

Old Chickens, New Chickens

We had an overwhelming response to our inquiry for suggested topics. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If your response has not been personally responded to please accept my apologies and know that your topic will be addressed!

By far, the most requested topic had to be 'how to blend a new flock with the existing flock?' and 'gardening with chickens' tips....so, here we go for a little tour inside my chicken obsessed brain.

Spring is here and if you have chickens we are guessing that you want to add more! Ahh, admit it...you know you have to have some more. Chickens can be bitchy and if you haven't experienced it first hand...you are about to. Especially if you plan to blend you flock with a few newcomers.

And, if you don't have chickens you have been itching, scratching and planning to make it a reality. It's so much fun and the benefits of raising your own food and sharing with family, friends and co-workers is fabulous.

If you are planning on adding to the flock this year? Hen House Harmony is a proven saving grace.

* Hen House Harmony. An animal behaviorist, herb specialist and all out animal lover helped us create this phenomenal blend. For acceptance, tolerance, making friends, sharing personal space and just plain getting along in the hen house! Our Hen House Harmony is based in bio dynamic apple cider vinegar that is free of any alcohol whatsoever, so besides creating a friendly flock, you'll get dazzling orange yolks, and you'll see the overall health of your hens improve. Just add drops when you change, tip or clean the water fountain until the bitchy, bullheadedness comes to a screeching halt. We use this product ourselves (on our chickens) and have great results. No more worrying that Gertrude is going to grab onto Mabel's comb and yank her to the ground with that beak....whew, it can be nasty! Scroll below for Hen House Harmony deals.

* Together but Separate. Best accomplished while simultaneously using Hen House Harmony. The goal is to allow for the establishment of 'pecking order'. Someone has got to wear the pants in the flock and she will surely scratch the surface and you'll know it. And, to keep things in balance there will be a lady who will be perfectly content laying low towards the bottom of this much needed order. If you have a coop that allows both flocks to be together but separated by a fence, screen or other material...give it a go. This process will likely take a few days. If you are lucky they will work it out in a few hours. Be certain that both flocks have plenty of food, water and shade in their specified area.

* Nighty, Night. Under the dark of night it is possible to quietly sneak a few new members into the coop. Simply (and gently) place each chicken on the roost. Something magical occurs while all are sleeping in their near comatose state - it's a wild osmosis sort of thing. At just about Dawn when all begin stirring.. the pecking order has established itself under the moonlight. Please, please, please be advised that sometimes it works and other times it goes terribly wrong. So, the "Nighty, Night" blending and integration of a flock needs to be followed up with a super early rise by you - the chicken steward to ensure the safety of all.




When deciding to integrate your flocks it's important that you have time to monitor behavior. In the event an all out fowl fight breaks out you want to be nearby to break it up. A sunny afternoon when you have a couple hours, your weekend or a time when 'time' is plentiful is likely your best bet for great results.

What are your Spring Thoughts?

Bloggy, blog, blogg! It's been a while and we have been so busy we feel like something the cat drug in. We love Spring and Summer isn't too far off - needless to say...WE ARE EXCITED this time of year.

Are you enjoying the time change? Around here we are on double time. Early to bed, early to rise...all that 'gotta get up before the rooster crows' stuff.

We are certainly grateful that evening chores (feeding, watering and securing the hen house) comes a bit later in the evening. Truth be told, we are either in the pastures with the animals or in the barn/office working with customers and sending out orders to our feathered family throughout the U.S.

We are currently seeking suggestions for Newsletter topics that are beneficial to you, your chickens and any situation that you are facing - any general inquiries are fine as well. What's on your mind? Let us know and we are happy to oblige!

Best to you during this lovely season.

Wet Weather Mishaps

So, I'm slogging around back and forth from barn to barn tending the animals in the morning (while still dark) and slip smack dab in a hefty pile of unknown slop. We have a few different varieties of animals on the property so to specifically identify the exact nature of the slop is somewhat difficult - especially when the rain has been coming down for three days.


I got up, checked for broken eggs in my pocket (only broke two, cracked three - the other five remain little gems of gold) and in any other situation I would have dusted myself off but the reality is...this isn't dust. It's mud. I'll find myself a hose before going back into the house.

Fast forward to the evening feeding schedule: There I am again, in the barn attempting to get a bale of hay off the top of the six bale stack - whoops, slipped and slammed my left thigh across the gate and did a real special endo onto my left shoulder. I lay there like a complete moron trying to determine if the pain I was feeling was from the fall or perhaps the hay hook had taken a personal and un-welcomed stab into my body.

I still don't know what happened to that hay hook - it's missing, but my left thigh looks like I rolled in blackberry pie and feels tough like an abalone.

If you are reading this I hope you are laughing.
My hope is that your chicken tending adventures are fun, fun, fun - just a little less embarrassing and painful.

I can GUARANTEE you this little darling(pictured hiding in the goat house)won't be stepping out into the rain today.

Rain Tips

It's cold. It's windy. It's wet.
Do give your flock the opportunity to get out and enjoy the muddy earth between their toes. There's ample bugs and worms for them to grab a beak full of and they'll enjoy it.

Here's some hens hiding out underneath the barn.


If it's possible be certain to have dry bedding for them in their coop. The bedding acts as a great insulator for these damp and wet evenings.

Dry food is a MUST. If their pellets, crumble (or whatever concoction you are feeding to your flock) gets wet - discard it. Don't let it mold. Toss it in the trash. Don't try to compost it.

And, clean water. Oh, dear. Chickens must have clean water available to them. The cooler the better which just so happens to be what we are featuring around here with this weather and all.

Anyone else have any suggestions? We are all ears.

Thoughs on Moving

Well, it's clear that we are on the move. Or at least moving toward being on the move. For every box that is packed and each and every trailer load that we have towed thus far you would think we have made a dent in the progress. Every bone and muscle in my body aches and Darnit - my lips are chapped from the new chilly mountain air.

The top photo is what we have grown accustomed to viewing.
The photo below it is the reason for the chapped lips and cool mountain air.

Our temporary chicken coop (below with high fence surrounding it) is just that - TEMPORARY! In need of much work but it will do until construction on the barn begins.




Fences need to be built & barns constructed from scratch. Horse stalls taken down, driven a zillion+ miles into the mountains and reassembled. OMG!!

Wonder how the chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats and horses are going to fare in the high mountain desert? It's Chapstick for all.

How Fresh Are Those Eggs?

According to Consumer Reports (Sample Issue, 2010), for most food, the expiration date indicates the last day the food should be consumed. Why is there an exception for eggs?

Hmmm? It seems (not our opinion) that Federally graded eggs in their shells are safe for three to five weeks after the expiration date on the carton, as long as you keep them refrigerated.

Allow us to give you a little information on the benefits of the magical protective layer that a fresh chicken eggs comes equipped with? There's no need for washing or refrigerating. It's the oh-natural way.

Going to the Market?

When shopping at the market whether it be a Farmer's Market or big chain store please keep in mind that when you are purchasing your meat, seafood or poultry you should pick those items up last. Very last and then zoom home to the freezer.

Horrifingly enough, there was a test compiled in 2007 (a test among chain stores, NOT FARMER'S MARKETS)that reported that out of 525 chickens tested - only 17% were free from salmonella and campylobacter. Gross, right?
You bet.

Don't get all freaked out. Just make a simple alteration to your normal market schedule and get your frozen and refrigerated items last - and then go home!
Bon Appetite!

2010 BRINGS ABOUT MANY CHANGES FOR RANCH HAG HENS.

In the Spring of 2010 Ranch Hag Hens, family and farm animals will roost in higher elevations in a remote location in Northern California. As a result, Ranch Hag Hens will focus primarily on Treats for Chickens, their Heritage breeding program and the "Ranch Hag" herself will be completing the Great American Novel - her chicken care and behavior book - due late 2010, early 2011.

Thank you to everyone who supported the backyard chicken movement! At this time all of the beautifully feathered ladies have flown the coop.

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