Hello! My husband and I became chicken owners 5 years ago, in 2018. We had an empty coop since the Guinnea Hens we raised that spring would no longer roost in it. When the small farm down the road was going to cull their flock of 13 heritage Australorp hens, we decided to let them retire with us. They were either 4 or 5 years old at the time.
The first couple of years, we were blissfully ignorant. They free ranged all day, and clucked, scratched and pecked their way right into my heart. They were extremely happy and I fell in love with them.
Then all heck broke loose. We started seeing messy bottoms, sneezing, coughing and hierarchy aggression. I found this group
and learned. They had never been handled so catching and treating them was tricky and super traumatic. But maybe a slight bonding experience as well.
I also learned the coop was not great ~ location was wet and windy, the roof leaked, it was not rodent proof at all, and it baked in the late afternoon sun in the summer. Plus, we live in a female bobcat’s territory and the coop was far from the house next to the forest.
It has been a learning process and a labor of love.
We have 3 girls still with us ~ they’re 9 or 10 years old now. Bakey Bird, Roxy and Lola. We built a new coop 2 years ago. It’s large to accommodate our next flock, but too large for 3 old gals during our New England winters, so we put a mini-coop inside with insulation and a heater. It has both a covered porch and a yard. I had planned to do a lot more chicken-scaping, but I’m dealing with a back injury so a lot has been put off.
Thanks to this great group for all your help and support!! Pictures attached: the girls, coop outside and inside, mini-coop interior, porch interior, and yard.
The first couple of years, we were blissfully ignorant. They free ranged all day, and clucked, scratched and pecked their way right into my heart. They were extremely happy and I fell in love with them.
Then all heck broke loose. We started seeing messy bottoms, sneezing, coughing and hierarchy aggression. I found this group
and learned. They had never been handled so catching and treating them was tricky and super traumatic. But maybe a slight bonding experience as well.I also learned the coop was not great ~ location was wet and windy, the roof leaked, it was not rodent proof at all, and it baked in the late afternoon sun in the summer. Plus, we live in a female bobcat’s territory and the coop was far from the house next to the forest.
It has been a learning process and a labor of love.
We have 3 girls still with us ~ they’re 9 or 10 years old now. Bakey Bird, Roxy and Lola. We built a new coop 2 years ago. It’s large to accommodate our next flock, but too large for 3 old gals during our New England winters, so we put a mini-coop inside with insulation and a heater. It has both a covered porch and a yard. I had planned to do a lot more chicken-scaping, but I’m dealing with a back injury so a lot has been put off.
Thanks to this great group for all your help and support!! Pictures attached: the girls, coop outside and inside, mini-coop interior, porch interior, and yard.
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! I lived in New Hampshire for a short time, it is a beautiful place. Thank you for rescuing those hens - I can’t seem to access any of the pictures but they must be cute!
Welcome from New Orleans! I love your pictures. How nice for your old lady hens to be able to retire in comfort.
