MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

What? No chicks?! How very dare you!

I'm kidding! I'm kidding!

I'm all for planting lots of shade in a garden, especially in layers. It will make a cool micro climate for you and the hens. Speaking of which, how is the Jacaranda growing? Are the girls exposing the root system or is it rocketing up from all the loose earth and chook manure?

It's doing quite well, although today's wind broke off a small branch. So far the roots have not been exposed by the hens' ongoing terraforming projects

Here's my plan

• Build the new roosting area (it will provide shade) in the top left corner
• Get the paving done
• Move the little coop to the bottom left corner
• Plant the corner where the little coop is with layers of hen-hiding shrubs and ground covers (top right corner)
• Consider the positioning of the misting nozzles.

I'm going to allow myself one Bunnings purchase a fortnight until the new roosting area is finished. First purchase will be four timbers, with undercoat, paint, and fixings. The weekends between purchases will be for construction and painting.

I don't know how to build things, so I'll be taking it slow. And taking delight in it too.

 

[LozzyR]

It's doing quite well, although today's wind broke off a small branch. So far the roots have not been exposed by the hens' ongoing terraforming projects

Here's my plan

• Build the new roosting area (it will provide shade) in the top left corner
• Get the paving done
• Move the little coop to the bottom left corner
• Plant the corner where the little coop is with layers of hen-hiding shrubs and ground covers (top right corner)
• Consider the positioning of the misting nozzles.

I'm going to allow myself one Bunnings purchase a fortnight until the new roosting area is finished. First purchase will be four timbers, with undercoat, paint, and fixings. The weekends between purchases will be for construction and painting.

I don't know how to build things, so I'll be taking it slow. And taking delight in it too.

If I lived closer I'd offer to come and help you. I love building stuff!

 

[BY Bob]

I'm sorry to disappoint, but I still have not heard from Rocky's family. Meanwhile Peggy is now a week in. I don't relish the thought of her sitting for four weeks, so I think the ship has sailed this time around.

However, it hasn't been a waste of time because it gave me a lot of opportunity to think deeply about what I'm doing and, more importantly, where I'm doing it.

Even though the hens prefer brooding in the little coop, I don't think it can provide sufficient humidity. The climate in Adelaide is very dry and it's even drier where I live, which is on sand which is very dessicating. If a hen consented to sit on the ground instead of the little coop, I'd still doubt the nest's ability to provide enough humidity.

Although, come to think of it, the neighbour's hen hatched a load of chicks under a bush in their backyard. She was deep under many layers of shrubs though. They thought a fox had got her but she eventually brought her chicks out.

The long-term answer is to get plantings established to the point where hens make their own nests. The short-term answer is a pair of pullets.

Again, I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone. It was not my intention.

Always do what is best for your hens. Don't worry about us. You have made a thoughtful decision that you feel is best for your group. That is the right thing to do.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

It's doing quite well, although today's wind broke off a small branch. So far the roots have not been exposed by the hens' ongoing terraforming projects

Here's my plan

• Build the new roosting area (it will provide shade) in the top left corner
• Get the paving done
• Move the little coop to the bottom left corner
• Plant the corner where the little coop is with layers of hen-hiding shrubs and ground covers (top right corner)
• Consider the positioning of the misting nozzles.

I'm going to allow myself one Bunnings purchase a fortnight until the new roosting area is finished. First purchase will be four timbers, with undercoat, paint, and fixings. The weekends between purchases will be for construction and painting.

I don't know how to build things, so I'll be taking it slow. And taking delight in it too.

Sounds like a well thought out plan, though , if I may suggest....
Maybe plant the corner a bit earlier as the plants can be getting established and growing while the rest of the work is being done.
What will you be planting?

 

[MaryJanet]

Sounds like a well thought out plan, though , if I may suggest....
Maybe plant the corner a bit earlier as the plants can be getting established and growing while the rest of the work is being done.
What will you be planting?

It's just that there's no room to plant anything until after the build because the hens need all their shade-making things in the meantime.

I'm still focussed on pushing this chapter out ACM and haven't yet checked which plants are native to my area.

 

[MaryJanet]

If I lived closer I'd offer to come and help you. I love building stuff!

Lovely thought, but I will take great pleasure and satisfaction in working solo

 

[MaryJanet]

There's nothing quite like making a plan for tempting fate!

Rocky's person visited with two eggs for Peggy and I can get another two tomorrow, fresh laid.

I wrote CI on them, which stands for "chick inside".

I'm glad I thickened Peggy's nest while she was up. It might help with my humidity fears.

She tried to take a finger as I was giving her the eggs, but within five minutes, she'd tucked them under.

Noting the date: January 3.

Waiting for January 24...

@Shadrach What is my shopping list? Chick crumbles, chick-sized food and water dispensers, anything else?

 

[MaryJanet]

I could put a humidifier in the little coop?

 

[RoyalChick]

I could put a humidifier in the little coop?

Why not use the misting system?

 

[MaryJanet]

Why not use the misting system?

Would it be too chilly?