PROJECT PHOTOS

Chicken Run

May 19, 2008

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thru the bars

three sided corral

Billy mulching up some of the leaves

ducks with the golden comet chicks

they were so excited in their new corral

 

 

 After getting our poultry flock situated temporarily, we tried to find the best place to put them in a more permanent spot. We don't have time yet to build the automated coop we have envisioned, so we used several gates bolted together to make a chicken run of sorts. They are so small that they all can fit into one area for now. After they start growing, we'll need to build the coop for them to stay in at night.

We used our 40' ladder to make a retractable roof for the run, since we intend to keep it covered with bird mesh to keep out the hawks and the barred owl. Billy can slide it along the top of the front gate when he needs to enter the area. We secured the mesh to the ladder and the other three sides of the "corral." That way he can get in to fill the feed containers and check the automatic waterer.

We put a baby pool in for the ducks, but they don't even try to use it, so we'll probably take it out. The birds with the white on their heads are the two turkeys, the little chicks are several colors, and there is one larger chick that looks like a road runner. We think he is a rooster, he likes to pick fights already. It will be several months before they are larger and more mature. They are supposed to lay eggs at 22 weeks, but we'll see. The turkeys are very large at maturity, and are very defensive of their territory.

close-up of the inmates

the chicks follow the ducks around everywhere

temporary housing

afternoon dip