| 4/8/08 update: We are having so much fun with our chickens.
The coop is now in move-in condition (still
have to shingle the roof). Huge props to my mom and step-dad for helping me design
the coop, scrounge up materials around the property and providing lots of hours of labor.
This project was a joint effort of all 8 of us on the property.
The older chicks have now moved in and are
loving their new home. They are so much fun, we could watch them all day. They
run around scratching at the ground with such seriousness. Apparently
they are finding lots of yummy things to eat because they aren't eating much of their feed
at all.
On Monday we have a whole new batch of
pullets. These new egg layers are just a few days old so it will be August before we
start looking for any eggs.
In all we had 52 chickens and 2 turkeys as of
Monday. On Tuesday one of our turkeys died so we are down to 53 total birds.
All the little ones are still in our brooder
in the barn. We will keep the older ones locked in the coop for about 4 weeks before
we release them for free range. The idea is to let them free range during the day
and come in at night to roost. I am a bit leary of this but I am told it does work.
Will certainly let you know how that goes! |
