BDutch's bantam flock & natural breeding projects #5 🪺 🪺 and #6

[MaryJanet]

Katrientje is broody again. I lost count this year.

I lowered the perches in the small coop. So their roosting spot is altered and if the Amrocks still want to roost in the small space their bodies/heads won’t hit the ceiling.

To my surprise Ini mini and all 3 Amrocks roost in the playhouse now. Black joined the other hens in the extension and Katrientje went back to the nestbox after sunset. (Took her out again).

It seems the fuzz comes to an end.

I made a plan today to install the auto pop door on the playhouse at window height/instead of the window.

View attachment 3964639
My DD’s boyfriend makes a piece of plywood in the right size to start with. Im going to take the windows out, make a kind of windowsill and a chicken ladder to the entrance. Screw the plywood on the window frame , cut a hole in the plywood and finally mount the chicken door.

I like this idea!

 

[BDutch]

I like this idea!

Im in doubt now if its the best spot for the auto pop door. Alternative is to make the pop door (a hole) closer to ground. The windows can remain in place that way. And I don't have to make a chicken ladder and windowsill.
Its definitely less work.

 

[MaryJanet]

Im in doubt now if its the best spot for the auto pop door. Alternative is to make a hole closer to ground. The windows can remain in place that way. And I don't have to make a chicken ladder and windowsill.
Its definitely less work.

I saw a picture of a very old farmhouse that had a chicken coop up in the roof. The hens went up and down a very long, narrow ramp every day.

 

[BDutch]

I saw a picture of a very old farmhouse that had a chicken coop up in the roof. The hens went up and down a very long, narrow ramp every day.

The height is not the reason why I want to alter the plan.
The chickens go up to this window opening on a simple ramp now too. The ramp is just a weathered slat from an old bench (Robinia wood).
This simple ramp can be removed easily now if it gets in the way. The second run is rather small to make a permanent ramp. So I need to buy more hardware to make a proper job.

Making the pop door instead of the window involves more work and material than adding it somewhere beneath the window. And I’m not convinced it’s worth it.

Maybe even more important is that I like the looks of the window + the possibility to check on the chickens through the window in the evening when I’m in the run. The abundant daylight is no problem. My older chickens all sleep in a bright coop.

 

[BDutch]

I think I reached a new status quo with Ini mini and the Amrocks. The playhouse is their new home now.
Black definitely prefers to sleep with the other hens in the extension.

Installed the auto pop door yesterday.

Now I can close the window to keep them safe in the night and prevent cold wind coming in on the roost.

 

[BDutch]

Ini mini and Gin

After weeks of fuzz with the juveniles getting too big for the small coop and hens who don’t want the young ones on their roost, peace returned finally.

All chickens found a spot to roost without any agitation.
Ini mini, Whisky, Gin and Tonic in the playhouse.
Black, Pearl, Kraai en Katrientje in the extension. And Janice returned to small coop now the Amrock family moved out.

 

[Molpet]

I read the fallowing and wondered If it is true.

In 1421 AD, a flood swept through the Netherlands, submerging 72 villages and drowning 100,000 people. Survivors saw a piece of wood floating on the water, and a cat was jumping back and forth on it.
People wanted to save it, but they were surprised to find a child sleeping peacefully. The cat was alternately jumping on the edges of the bed to maintain its balance so that the child would not drown.
This story was very famous in the Netherlands, and 4 centuries later the event was immortalized in the painting “The Inundation of The Biesbosch in 1421” by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Though pronounced similarly, Bespos is in an entirely different country.
It’s the origin of the wording “the cat’s in the craddle”
The baby was named Beatrijs/Beatrix when she was found, which means “the bringer of good luck/joy” but also “the lucky one”
Although nowadays it’s not a commonly known story in majority of The Netherlands anymore, it is known to those who grew up in the Biesbosch area.

 

[BDutch]

I read the fallowing and wondered If it is true.

In 1421 AD, a flood swept through the Netherlands, submerging 72 villages and drowning 100,000 people. Survivors saw a piece of wood floating on the water, and a cat was jumping back and forth on it.
People wanted to save it, but they were surprised to find a child sleeping peacefully. The cat was alternately jumping on the edges of the bed to maintain its balance so that the child would not drown.
This story was very famous in the Netherlands, and 4 centuries later the event was immortalized in the painting “The Inundation of The Biesbosch in 1421” by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Though pronounced similarly, Bespos is in an entirely different country.
It’s the origin of the wording “the cat’s in the craddle”
The baby was named Beatrijs/Beatrix when she was found, which means “the bringer of good luck/joy” but also “the lucky one”
Although nowadays it’s not a commonly known story in majority of The Netherlands anymore, it is known to those who grew up in the Biesbosch area.

I do know about the flooding of the Rhine and Maas delta that became the natural park Biesbos, The flooding is known under the name Elisabethsvloed. I honestly never heard about the story of Beatrix and the cat before.
You are right about it. This woman really existed. It’s at least partly a true story and Beatrix who was an orphan married into a wealthy family.
Her story on wikipedia, with a few drawings/ paintings: can be translated if you are interested. https://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_de_Rijke

 

[Molpet]

I do know about the flooding of the Rhine and Maas delta that became the natural park Biesbos, The flooding is known under the name Elisabethsvloed. I honestly never heard about the story of Beatrix and the cat before.
You are right about it. This woman really existed. It’s at least partly a true story and Beatrix who was an orphan married into a wealthy family.
Her story on wikipedia, with a few drawings/ paintings: can be translated if you are interested. https://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_de_Rijke

Thanks,
it automatically translated

I had heard the phrase "cat's in the cradle" and it was used in a song. But didn't know where it came from.

 

[BDutch]

Just a few photo’s to share.

Chickens preening under the table. They probably think it’s a safe spot for birds of prey. When a jay (Flamish jay) passed they warned each other.

Black is molting.

Whiskey was staring and wondering what to do with the plastic container and the food in it.

Spotted a brown frog in the garden. Looks greenish but the name is brown frog.

No fuzz today. So glad everyone found a good spot to roost!