Chicken update 11/16/2012

The Chickens are doing well.  The hawks haven't been around too much and we still have all 20 birds.  We have "Winterized" the hoop coop, taking the wheels and the hitch off and surrounding it with straw bales and another tarp.  I kept the front open to the South to let some light in and ventilate.  The barn should protect it from the cold North winds.  I'm not thrilled with the setup, but I think it will get us through the Winter.  The chickens seem to like it.

 

 



We have switched over to the deep litter method, using straw and dried leaves for bedding.  Frosty mornings have  made keeping them watered more of a chore, but the hens always make me laugh, and I love catching the sunrise on a brisk fall morning before work.

 

 

I need to get some nest boxes installed soon.  I am thinking I will try ones made from 5 gallon buckets and maybe a milk crate or two.  We expect them to start laying pullet eggs around January, but with the short days they'll likely be few and far between until Spring.  So far the three roosters are behaving themselves, though there have been some scuffles for roost space in the evening.

 

I let them out for a while when I get home from work, though the days are very short now, and forage is pretty limeted.  We are feeding them layer crumbles and providing grit.  I am very anxious to get the forest garden going and provide them with better forage and shelter.