Chickens Get a New Area!!

This is one of the rebel chickens we inherited.  I do not allow my chickens complete access to the whole farm. yes, they sort of free range-but not totally.  

So when we inherited a few new chickens to the flock, we had a time keeping them in! They were use to being let out and running all over--I just can not do that here!  

If I had all of my gardens and flower beds, mulch and herbs tucked carefully behind fencing-well maybe I might allow them to wander around the whole farm.  But I don't, so they can't.  So they are not allowed to wander freely. 

 Chickens are great tiller's, in the fall, I can set them loose to 'till' the garden.  In the spring, the same thing, and they will prepare the soil, mixing in the mulch, or anything....but chickens do not care that you just spent $5.00 for a plant (or more) they will dig them up to get to the slug.  So for the winter months, we have kept them inside of a dog kennel, attached to their 'hen house'. If they would have just stayed in the barn yard area, that would be great!  But since they do not, they have to have their own area.

 We finally got their 'yard' fenced in, and now are they happy little chickens!  We just gotta clip their wings (maybe this weekend) so they can not fly out.  

here is a side view of part of their yard, along with the new gate (an old used one-works well)

You can see 2 sheds, one will be their 'summer' home and the other will be their "winter' home (more insulated)

We have to 'winterize' their winter home, and work on the 'summer' home a bit, but they are now very happy!  I know, some of your are asking-why 2 homes?  Why not just winterize one, and use it year around?  Well, this allows us to completely clean out their home each fall and spring.  (chickens poop a LOT)--That way (with our busy lives) we have a few months to get each one ready for the next season.  

When you have chickens, you will also have rats that like to move in to the chicken area. (Oh yes, you will-don't say "not me!") We have to set traps for them when they do, so this allows for that too.  We can close off one house to keep the chicken safe while we trap for the rats.  Now don't go ewww-if you have or get chickens, you WILL deal with rats wanting to move in and under their house. (coons and skunks too) So if your planning on having the chickens, prepare for the rats, coons and skunks that you have to keep away and attack them before they take over. 

Well, more about our little farm later!