First Day Use of the New Run

[Picky Chicky]

Over the weekend we got our first chickens (5 of them). I felt so bad because they had to stay 'cooped' up until we could finish their run - which didn't happen until 9pm last night. This morning it was freezing cold, so of course when I opened the girls' door to let them test out the run they didn't want to come out - at least I didn't get any stupid chickens.

I've been at work all day and they've been at home all day with their door open to their completely enclosed run. Of course I've been sitting worried wondering if they managed to Houdini out somewhere. I'm thinking about escaping my coop (aka - work) early to check on my girls. I'm surprised at what a worrier I've become in such quick time!

I wish I had pictures of my run, but I don't yet. I'll try and get some tonight. For now, thanks for just listening to me ramble on.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

I am sure they are Great!!!
You can go home & have a cup of coffee/tea & watch them!

This is exactly what I will do when my coffee is done!

You will have to send pictures

 

[jbowyer01]

I know exactly what you mean. Even when I am home I worry about them. My DH is even a worrier (he was originally against the whole chicken idea), its getting chilly here at night so my DH threw a blanket over the coop (but did not block the vent) so that they wouldnt get a chill (forget the fact that he insulated all the walls w/ R19). My 18y/o just shakes his head at us lol.

 

[Picky Chicky]

I'm so dissappointed in myself - I forgot to bring my pictures into work so I could upload them and show you guys the girls in their run. Buggar!

It was so pitiful... I raced home (good thing the cops weren't out running radar) and found that the girls hadn't left the coop! After a couple failed tries I got them all out and closed their coop door so I could tidy up in their coop.

Once they got outside they looked so happy! That is until Sara (resident GShep doggy) ran out and started going nuts - running in circles around the cage. I guess that answers my question on whether or not she'd try to eat my girls. She tested the run for us though - so now we know dog predators won't easily get in.

 

[cmom]

My birds were hesitant at first too. In the beginning I would close the pop door at night and open it up in the morning and they would be waiting for me at the pop door to come home from work (I work the graveyard shift) and open it up, then they would all try to fit through at the same time, each I think trying to be the first to get out. It was all quite funny.

Now I leave it open 24/7. Since those days I have added a fenced in yard off of their run. I used to let them out of the run into the yard until they got in my gardens and started to tear them . It was either fence in the gardens or the chickens. The chickens lost, so they got the fence, but it's a large area, plenty of room. I was worried about preditors. I have seen all sorts of critters on my property, but so far none has bothered my birds.