MJ's little flock

[ManueB]

I really enjoyed it and I may have finally begun to understand what is where. Thanks for taking the time to do that ! Your settings are very nice, and different from anything else I have seen.

I certainly wish more people would make these and I'd love to see yours RC. I have a hard time to visualise things from pictures, which always show just a bit. And often I don't understand the terms used to describe how things are built.
I did one about two years ago, even though I felt and still feel a bit ashamed that what we've done seem so ...cheap, especially compared to how nice your place looks. I'm not sure if it was before we changed the run which is now much more safe from predators and comfy for the birds. It's unfortunately gone down regarding biosecurity, but since they are outside and fed outside unless it rains, biosecurity is inexistent I guess.


Just curious to know how high is the jump down from where the hens sleep, that you say they all manage without a thought ?

 

[Shadrach]

Is it time for a tour? Actually, I think it's long overdue.

Sorry for changing the orientation half way through - I didn't even notice what'd I'd done until I was re-watching the video and I don't have time to re-do it, so I beg forgiveness.

Constantly cleaning water trays sounds familiar.

 

[MaryJanet]

I really enjoyed it and I may have finally begun to understand what is where. Thanks for taking the time to do that ! Your settings are very nice, and different from anything else I have seen.

It's very practical and appropriate to the environment. It has taken six years to get this far.

I certainly wish more people would make these and I'd love to see yours RC. I have a hard time to visualise things from pictures, which always show just a bit. And often I don't understand the terms used to describe how things are built.

Me too! A walkthrough video is so helpful.

I did one about two years ago, even though I felt and still feel a bit ashamed that what we've done seem so ...cheap, especially compared to how nice your place looks.

Well, I'm so time poor I had to call in people to do it for me, and I think their work is the best part

I'm not sure if it was before we changed the run which is now much more safe from predators and comfy for the birds. It's unfortunately gone down regarding biosecurity, but since they are outside and fed outside unless it rains, biosecurity is inexistent I guess.

Does biosecurity matter much at your place? Somehow I've got the idea the flock expands through breeding and hatching at your place. On the other hand, any free ranging birds are at risk of bird flu these days. SimpleJenn's horror has shown us how dangerous it is. That's the world we live in now.

Just curious to know how high is the jump down from where the hens sleep, that you say they all manage without a thought ?

It seems like a metre, but they land on very soft sand. I'll measure it later. It could be less than a metre but I doubt it's more.

 

[MaryJanet]

Constantly cleaning water trays sounds familiar.

I try to look at the water every chance I get and I'm always delighted when there's no poop in it!

 

[Shadrach]

As you know I miss the terracota chicken drinkers I had in Spain. Just can't get them here in the UK.

I looked at these when Fret last sat and hatched. I might give them a try for the next broody.
If the link doesn't work for you the drinkers are called Rutin Ceramic Chick Drinkers. Ebay has them, or copies of them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIKACA-Chi...x=ceramic+chick+drinkers+rutin,pets,82&sr=1-6

 

[MaryJanet]

As you know I miss the terracota chicken drinkers I had in Spain. Just can't get them here in the UK.

I looked at these when Fret last sat and hatched. I might give them a try for the next broody.
If the link doesn't work for you the drinkers are called Rutin Ceramic Chick Drinkers. Ebay has them, or copies of them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIKACA-Chicken-Drinking-Container-Ceramics/dp/B0CNY5YNJB/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3SHR5EC1D7CQV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lbCh5ZQLBpgHuV_ofYKG_50SVJS7CIBcug9UYTrr1-OCRxzevs7HVEULdxHdHr-FXT4fKoFRMu89AGXBecwUirC0Z62N_jPbAKArUSxj4Q46IvHg3QT8yZ7AUDk3igpr6gHtoqgVNPR2Vwy30Qa5r_iw7hCxU_QyE67_Je-0dXWcE7vP7m0orNFn43Y3v8POEAysPKeZDWKt8jCeM7Yl7BKtZSumUQe_zEvurf3NDHG0oybMihCbk57zMtQF9f8T2-mtrgYMAxPLweQrEAERVTbg5TnOPWh45N17EAUsSIk.1gLDaW0PPv0AN03gASa-El9b42zII6ZhXCxPte9Uznc&dib_tag=se&keywords=ceramic+chick+drinkers+rutin&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732046259&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=ceramic+chick+drinkers+rutin,pets,82&sr=1-6

That's the business! That design is just so simple and effective and, if you don't drop it, enduring. I flip them upside down and carry them by the tray which gives me a better grip. I must get a few more and keep a few on hand in the shed.

Those ones you linked to seem a little more affordable than the ones I can get from the pottery.

I don't know if I should worry about slime growing in them. Not much light gets in there. In any case, the water is changed daily, so it's probably clean enough. I try to wipe inside the best I can. I haven't yet found a bottle cleaning brush up to the task.

 

[RoyalChick]

I try to look at the water every chance I get and I'm always delighted when there's no poop in it!

High aspirations!

 

[BY Bob]

A new fun thing: the new little coop used by the chicks is in the run, they hear the run gate make its characteristic noise, and their faces pop up to peek over the top edge of the nest box.

How cute.

 

[MaryJanet]

Wings out, let's go!

 

[MaryJanet]

The chicks were out for about 90 minutes.

Three trooped up the ramp for dinner while one wasn't looking. That one got in a panic, but not so bad it wouldn't let me pick it up and put it back in the little coop with its chums.