TODAY IS FREE RANGE DAY FOR THE CHICKENS - WHILE WE WORK ON THEIR REMODELED, LARGER, COOP....

 

WE'RE FREE....

First Day Free Range - Taking a walk down the driveway - they did turn around when we called them.   Just checking out their new place....

There is an old, dilapidated smaller wooden building standing alone not far from the house.  From the look of the contents - it was storage for nails, Christmas lights and all things little and metal....

We built a temporary 3-sided coop for the chickens in front of this little wooden structure, and we attached 10 tennis panels to it - sides, front and top.  That would give the chickens coverage, a place to roost at night and a grassy (until they eat it down and smash it down by walking on it) area to run around in and also to be able to be out in the sun.   

They've been in their temporary quarters for a few days now and we thought while we were out there working on their renovated, larger coop - we would open the tennis court panel that contained the door - and let them out to free range.  It took them awhile and then once, one went out - it became a steady line of chickens departing for the yet unknown 'fun things' they could get into today on this 'new to them' property.  

THE BEFORE (the AFTER will be on another Blog - stay tuned)

This is the existing smaller, old, dilapidated building - that we would go on to renovate, attach the tennis court panels to - and build new roosts, nest boxes and a feeding/watering station.   

We went into this old building with magnetics that were attached to a stick (my husband had several from when he owned a construction company).  They would be used to detect and pick up any nails that got away during construction.  They worked well for our purpose.  The previous owners had 50 coffee cans full of all different kinds of nails and metal tidbits and many of them had spilled down onto the dirt floor.  So, we needed to pick them all up before we let the chickens in....it was quite a job. The floor was a mixture of gravel, dirt and sand, so we had to rake, metal detect and then use the magnets over and over.  I thought that we should just put down a wood floor - but chickens love dirt - for their dirt or dust baths - they flip around in the dirt/dust to control parasites and prevent feathers from becoming too oily.  It also helps to exfoliate their skin, shed old & loose feathers and of course most importantly to smother insects & parasites that might be living on them - kind of a beauty/health spa treatment.  

We were busy raking and picking up nails and all kinds of old metal objects - but we would stop and watch the chickens running around having a good old time.  One time while we were taking a water/fruit break, this one particular feisty hen was running with beak wide open after a flying bug - I don't think she caught it, but it was quite an impressive attempt.  We could just sit and watch our chickens for hours - they are so entertaining - and now we have the time - so, I think we will take the time more often.... Before we moved here, we were both working more than full-time jobs.  We were always in a hurry.  I would run into the barn, open the little door to their coop, say good morning Chickies, throw food all around and hit the road to work.  But now, it is the time to do what we have dreamed about doing for so long.   Taking moments to enjoy and relish all of the small things that really matter.   

About 4:30 p.m. - the flock starts filing into the temporary coop (where we had kept them for a few days).  They had a busy day and were ready to roost and rest for the night.  We counted them as they entered - and they were all there - safe and sound for the night.  We could hear them fluffing around finding 'their chosen' or 'chosen for them' positions on the three roost branches we had put up for them.  We peeked - most of them were on the top roost - a few in the middle - and two down on the bottom roost - as long as they are all happy and safe....Good Night Girls & Boys...

Tomorrow is another day...we'll stop for the day and continue working on their new coop tomorrow.   We decide that we will pour ourselves a well-deserved glass of wine and sit out on the death deck - now covered with plywood - until we can tear it down and rebuild.  Maybe our owls will be near and call to each other - and they will allow us to take part in the conversation again....But, for now...lovely silence and an incredible feeling of satisfaction for a day filled with meaningful work and silly moments....