The Chicks
Photos taken August 13th
*CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE *
A big thanks goes out to Mary Ann for these chicks, they are going to be some pretty birds !
As they started to grow, I thought they were Bantums but now I have learned from Mary Ann that they are actually called Feather Footed Fancies...
This outside run works out good for two purposes...it will keep the birds protected but it also keeps my goats from eating the barn ! As you can see they have fun chewing the cedar shakes off the side.
All of the chickens have finally gotten up the nerve to venture ouside and are scratching up the ground, its getting easier now ! Hopefully in another few weeks I will be able to let them free range during the day.
Laying Boxes
After looking through some photos on the web and reading the "good and bad" of each design from the creators point of view , I took what I liked best from them and designed this layout. Its very basic and it will be a breeze to clean. The front panel and the nest dividers are all "slide outs" , nothing is nailed in except the frame. Each nest has about a 5" layer of pine shavings.
Dividers and Front Panel slide out
Photos taken on September 2nd
The Coup
The first photo is the inside of the new chicken coup. All I did was wire the top of this old horse stall to keep them from wandering around the barn and roosting where they dont belong. I dont think the goats would appreciate it much since they are all sharing the same barn.
The new chicken house is 8ft wide and 10' long. I still need to build some laying boxes and roost rods but that is a piece of cake and the birds are young The entire floor is cement and predator proof so this will provide them a safe nights sleep. Also if you look at the interior photo you can see an old water pipe coming through the cement in the corner. At one time there was running water piped into this stall but where it came from I have no idea. Thats another project in itself some day once I
get power back to this barn.
The whole idea of utilizing a stall and cutting the hole in the side of the barn and building an attached wired run was my Dads idea. When I mentioned that I would like to raise some chickens one day he made a suggestion on this design..... his idea is proving to be a great one ! Thanks Dad !
The Run
The run is 12ft x 12ft and is built on the footprint of the stone foundation that used to be a bigger barn I am guessing from years ago and thats why my dad said it would make a great place fot the chickens because no predators can dig under the wall , even I have a hard time digging through so this is actually a great place to have the run.
Photo Taken on December 6
July
Loving The Life and Times In Lebanon , Connecticut
March 2nd, 08'
Before I explain about our new chicken coup and the run I have built, I would like to make a public pledge as just a reminder of the unnecessary pressure that I place on myself to get it done !
***Clears Throat***
The next time I get some animals (or BIRDS) , I will build their home or set their fence "BEFORE" getting the dang critters !!!!
OK...I feel better now.
