Maine! LOTS of snow! But what looks like snow in the pictures is just strong sunlight--it's just how it showed up in the picture. We'll start getting snow in Nov or Dec and it will last until May or April.
Yes, I put them in the run when not at home. Although once I kept them in the coop. When I got home I found feathers all over the place and a large place on the floor where all the shavings had been misplaced--decided that wasn't a good idea. So far they all stay in except for the 2nd cockerel...
He's been grabbing them on the neck with his beak and twisting. I'm not sure if this is Klingon love play or agregious domination. They squawk and try to get away from him. (Just not ready yet? hate him?)
I open the coop and the pen door first thing in the morning usually around 6:30 a.m. but when I have to be away I put them all in the pen but one cockerel and 1-3 chickens escape with him.
It's an uneven space but probably at least 140 sq '. Good idea. I have noticed the dominant cockerel starting to irritate the girls. Thanks for your thoughts.
I heard that commercially processed chickens are transported from processing plant to store in Propylene Glychol (Food grade antifreeze). Does anyone have any thoughts on using that to keep carcasses cold from the butcher to home?