Well, it's done. The stewardesses are aboard, and we're sitting on the runway. I think we'll just taxi around for a while.
I'm new at this. Why oh WHY did I have this sudden obsession with wanting chickens. I grew up near dairy farms... seldom were there chickens around. Maybe a goat, but usually just holsteins and jersies.
I think it was an act of defiance. I'm grown now - just turned 40. Maybe this is my mid-life crisis? I live in Southern Maryland. It's flat. I'm from the PA mountains. It has "waterman." I grew up with farmers and hunters. We live in a neighborhood. It's older, established in the 1970s, so the trees are mature, and we have a few hills, but we can still walk to Wal-Mart. Our yard is about 3/4 of an acre, and we have neighbors on all sides. I have three dogs, a cat and a couple beta fish. So WHY did I want chickens?
Because I can. It was time to try something new... and I'm glad I did, even though I nearly lost my family in my obsession, and still haven't seen an egg yet. But already, I've gained more construction experience than I've ever done, tested the limits of my husband's patience (and know that he still loves me), forced my boys to solve their own fights and fallen in love with four hens. I know, I know... they're technically not pets... and long term existence is never a guarentee, but so far so good. I'm at peace with the project now, and my family has welcomed me back.
So, we keep a weekly blog, and you can read more about the escapade here: http://www.lastlapgang.com/blog.html. I'm sure many of you can relate.
I used Kycklingers 4x10 design (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/kycklingars-4x10-tractor), but mine's a bit wider and I used Kitty Litter Bucket Nests that stick out the back for easy egg retrieval (at least that's the plan anyway). I actually found the design in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Chic...id=1342712288&sr=8-8&keywords=chicken+tractor, that I checked out of my local library!
We chose the Frying Pan Am theme because both my husband and I work on a miltary base, so we see our share of air traffic and hangers. Additionally, my DH loves airliners, so I thought I'd reel him him with some eye-candy! I dont' have a pic of it, but the back says, "From London, Eggland, to New Yoke City!" Witty loons, aren't we?
For my first construction project, I like the way it turned out. I tried to use recycled items as much as possible, but the 2x4 lumber that I got from my boys' hurricane-ruined treehouse made it heavier than it probably should be. It's small - not so much for the chickens, but for me to maneuver things in and out of. It'll do though. I put on castor wheels that screwd in via one bolt post on each corner. I'm not loving these wheels because I think the chalet is too big for those little posts. I saw a better designed castor online - one that screws on with for screws, one at each corner, so I might consider those in the future.
No eggs yet, but my hens are still young, and they've only just begun to act settled. I'm hoping the kitty litter bucket nests aren't too small, but boy they look snug. If they don't work, I can easily just remove them, and put a flat panel across the back and build some bigger particians inside. I also don't like that there's no roost. I've tried to figure out where I might put one, but with the feeder and the BIG waterer I've put in the bottom (all Tractor Supply had was the LARGE sized one!) take up enough room on the bottom as it is, and I think my roof is too low to put one up on the top. Suggestions?
Lastly, it's been really hot here - triple digits at times - so I came up with this idea - maybe some of you have already done it: I fill 2 ltr soda bottles with water and freeze them rock solid. Then I roll them in the bottom of the coop. I think it keeps the air a little cooler, AND one of my Blue Laced Red Wyandotts was all snuggled next to one yesterday afternoon!
BTW, our "stewardesses" are, Souffle' (Rhode Island Red), Omelet (Black Australorp), Quiche aka "Fi Fi" and Nog who are both Blue Lace Red Wyandotts.
PS - THANK YOU, SLACKWATER!!
I'm new at this. Why oh WHY did I have this sudden obsession with wanting chickens. I grew up near dairy farms... seldom were there chickens around. Maybe a goat, but usually just holsteins and jersies.
I think it was an act of defiance. I'm grown now - just turned 40. Maybe this is my mid-life crisis? I live in Southern Maryland. It's flat. I'm from the PA mountains. It has "waterman." I grew up with farmers and hunters. We live in a neighborhood. It's older, established in the 1970s, so the trees are mature, and we have a few hills, but we can still walk to Wal-Mart. Our yard is about 3/4 of an acre, and we have neighbors on all sides. I have three dogs, a cat and a couple beta fish. So WHY did I want chickens?
Because I can. It was time to try something new... and I'm glad I did, even though I nearly lost my family in my obsession, and still haven't seen an egg yet. But already, I've gained more construction experience than I've ever done, tested the limits of my husband's patience (and know that he still loves me), forced my boys to solve their own fights and fallen in love with four hens. I know, I know... they're technically not pets... and long term existence is never a guarentee, but so far so good. I'm at peace with the project now, and my family has welcomed me back.
So, we keep a weekly blog, and you can read more about the escapade here: http://www.lastlapgang.com/blog.html. I'm sure many of you can relate.
I used Kycklingers 4x10 design (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/kycklingars-4x10-tractor), but mine's a bit wider and I used Kitty Litter Bucket Nests that stick out the back for easy egg retrieval (at least that's the plan anyway). I actually found the design in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Chic...id=1342712288&sr=8-8&keywords=chicken+tractor, that I checked out of my local library!
We chose the Frying Pan Am theme because both my husband and I work on a miltary base, so we see our share of air traffic and hangers. Additionally, my DH loves airliners, so I thought I'd reel him him with some eye-candy! I dont' have a pic of it, but the back says, "From London, Eggland, to New Yoke City!" Witty loons, aren't we?
For my first construction project, I like the way it turned out. I tried to use recycled items as much as possible, but the 2x4 lumber that I got from my boys' hurricane-ruined treehouse made it heavier than it probably should be. It's small - not so much for the chickens, but for me to maneuver things in and out of. It'll do though. I put on castor wheels that screwd in via one bolt post on each corner. I'm not loving these wheels because I think the chalet is too big for those little posts. I saw a better designed castor online - one that screws on with for screws, one at each corner, so I might consider those in the future.
No eggs yet, but my hens are still young, and they've only just begun to act settled. I'm hoping the kitty litter bucket nests aren't too small, but boy they look snug. If they don't work, I can easily just remove them, and put a flat panel across the back and build some bigger particians inside. I also don't like that there's no roost. I've tried to figure out where I might put one, but with the feeder and the BIG waterer I've put in the bottom (all Tractor Supply had was the LARGE sized one!) take up enough room on the bottom as it is, and I think my roof is too low to put one up on the top. Suggestions?
Lastly, it's been really hot here - triple digits at times - so I came up with this idea - maybe some of you have already done it: I fill 2 ltr soda bottles with water and freeze them rock solid. Then I roll them in the bottom of the coop. I think it keeps the air a little cooler, AND one of my Blue Laced Red Wyandotts was all snuggled next to one yesterday afternoon!
BTW, our "stewardesses" are, Souffle' (Rhode Island Red), Omelet (Black Australorp), Quiche aka "Fi Fi" and Nog who are both Blue Lace Red Wyandotts.
PS - THANK YOU, SLACKWATER!!
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