Search results for query: *

This is a great reminder, thank you! I went back outside after the sun had come out for a few minutes, and there they all were -- happy as can be out in the run. I think I just need to keep in mind that chickens can (and will) just... do things that make perfect sense to them, but not...

My flock of five hens are 11 weeks old and I've had them since 8 weeks. They've always had the coop and attached run, and had been spending the whole day outside until just recently. Now they'll come out (auto door) for morning breakfast, cuddle up and nap, then at some point I check the coop...

Perhaps he was able to find homes for the flock -- I know many are looking to add birds right now. And it helps that weather has shown some improvement this week!

Flock update: see how it's going here! I appreciate all the words of wisdom and encouragement. I love my girls!

For now, my auto door is set for light sensitivity. So in theory it responds to a predetermined % of light it detects and waits about 20 minutes before closing. So... if the girls are also going inside at around the same light % they'll hopefully make it in even on cloudy days. It's only been...

I wish I could run electrical out there. For now my manually placed little candle will have to suffice! It definitely is nice to see them go in before it's actually dark.

Thank you, I'll do it again tonight and hope it continues to work. I don't know why I was so skeptical, but I just didn't expect something so simple to actually be effective!

Five pullets, second night as a chicken keeper. Night #1 I had to grab each girl and put her in the coop by hand, and I sat there until the auto-door closed. A little stressful for all of us. So I did my internet sleuthing and read that putting a small light inside the coop before dusk will...

Thank you! I kind of can't get over just how cute they are -- first time chicken keeper. My partner has already started taking glamour shots... time to buy more cloud storage for all the photos!

Thank you! So far, two of the five have distinctive personalities (one is pretty brave and seems to be ok with human interaction, and another is a little bold and a little not-so-bright LOL). I did put a different color leg band on each one, so at least I have that to tell them apart. Maybe over...

Thank you! It's all brand new for me, so we'll see how it goes. They're all super sweet so far!

After months of anticipation and preparation, I finally brought home my five sweet little Dominique pullets! Please meet Pepper, Poppy, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Ginger. One is already showing quite a personality, and they're all currently out in their coop/run on a cold and rainy New England day...

Cherry tomatoes yes, for humans and chickies both. Berries... I have never been successful with any type of berry! Either they produce very minimally and with great struggle (strawbs) or they get decimated early by birds and critters. It's so unreliable for me that I hate to spend the...

Yes exactly, close proximity and therefore dedicated to *something* for them, whatever that may be. It sounds like a fast-growing leafy green or three might be the way to go, which I can definitely do. Maybe I'll do some greens and some herbs/flowers this year, see what likes that location best...

No worries! It's possible I'd let them roam briefly on occasion, which means they could decide to meander over into that bed. Mass destruction will NOT be permitted 😂 At least until it's time to turn over the soil, in which case I could definitely let the ladies handle that job for me.

I have a medium-sized pot (above ground) that I designate as my mint spot. That's all I give it! Hmm I've never grown catnip, despite having a cat. That could be a fun one, although we do have neighborhood outdoor kitties so I don't know how that would go. Maybe they'd help with pest control if...

Now there's an idea! I have some greens in my real garden but probably plenty of spare seed this year. I could toss those in and see how they do, maybe get a bonus crop. Thank you!

They won't actually have access to this garden bed - no free ranging. I'm only looking to make it chicken-friendly just in case I let them out for a few supervised minutes occasionally. Mint... it's just far too invasive. If I plant mint in that bed, that's all I can ever plant there! Creeping...

It will be filled in and the cloth deeply covered. This is also only the secondary run, so they won't be in there full time.

Like I said, no plans to free range so they probably won't ever get in this bed -- just on the small chance I DO allow them out for a few minutes, I don't want to put anything harmful. I'm well aware of their mass destruction. I'm actually growing almost everything I listed in my real garden...