Hey, Dawg! Did You See the Size of Them Chickens?

A coworker of mine noticed foxes along her property line with hungry kits, so she asked if I would take the flock off her hands to prevent them from becoming fox feed.  I told her I would, and we began planning.

We decided to use the shed left behind by the previous residents as a chicken coop.  We also decided to repurpose the dog fencing they left to make a yard around the shed.  First we put some of the fencing on the ground and set the shed on top of it.  This will prevent larger critters from digging underneath and getting at the chickens in the night.  Smaller ones can still do so, but we figure the chickens can handle them. 

2018-05-16

We then transferred the 4x4 poles to where we wanted them and stapled the fencing to it.  It didn't turn out half bad.

2018-05-18

Next, we went and picked up the chickens.  Of course, it started to rain as we were getting ready to leave, so by the time we got home, the hubs had to move soggy, chicken filled cardboard boxes from the truck bed into the shed while I held a light for him to see the path.  Still, we managed without losing anyone.

2018-05-18

The chickens all seemed to get along with each other pretty well, but they were skittish where we were concerned.  Still, they seemed content with their new surroundings.

2018-05-19

2018-05-09

2018-05-19

However, we weren't too keen on having to pick up their eggs from divots in the ground.  So, inspired by a post I'd seen on Facebook, we build nesting boxes for them.  We screwed milk crates onto a 2x4 frame, and then we used zip ties to put metal paint trays inside them.

2018-05-25

2018-05-25

We then used longer zip ties to put a board across the bottom part of the paint trays.  This serves two functions.  It gives the chickens a secure spot to land when they fly up to nest, and it keeps them from accidentally harming the eggs.  The eggs roll down under the board once they're laid.

2018-05-25

Not content with that, we added young blood to our brood.  We purchased a Gold-Laced Wyandotte, 3 Silver-Laced Wyandottes, and a Guinea Hen.  They tend to flock together, but they're becoming less and less afraid of the larger gals.  This is the five of them enjoying some cracked corn the others missed.

2018-06-02

We're getting more eggs than we can use, so we're giving them away to friends right now.  We are thinking we may start selling them, though.  We shall see. (=