Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[BullChick]

I’ve been destroying things outside today, but it’s all gonna be oookay!
The Welsummer and RSL are the only two girls left from the days of free ranging last year (gosh, it seems longer). The flock is circling the coop, and going inside. Circle, in... A few ventured to the lilac bush momentarily. This is a good thing. It will keep them from being eaten by the fox (I think) that picked off the others that went too far. Tomorrow they will be locked in for a bit until I finish the new run.

 

[BullChick]

I broke a handle on my ancient wheelbarrow, broke a few nails, ripped off a scab...
I got several things done before body aches sent me inside. I really am happy with what I’ve finally been getting done.

 

[dheltzel]

I was working in one of the pens today when I heard an odd noise from the next pen over. I peeked over the fence to see a 4 month old female duck making alluring noises while squatting in front of a peacock. The peacocks have dropped their tail feathers and romance is far from their minds now, so he was trying to sort that out. I guess even in the off season, those peacocks can really get a girl bird's motor revving.

Peacocks are such regal and beautiful birds. They act like they are above it all, just slowly strutting their stuff, unless you toss a small piece of bread in the pen, then they all go nuts, like they are 6 year old kids with a broken pinata.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

It's that time of year... molt is ravaging my turkey pen! I think Duchess is the worst off right now... this poor bird is miserable lol

 

[BullChick]

I noticed a SPR pullet looks pretty bad. I’ll try to get a picture tomorrow.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

My Cochins are getting a little threadbare too, and daily egg count is down by half.

 

[feliciadawn]

Just finished putting electric all around my backyard. It is a single line, and it will be quite the hassle to keep it from shorting out since it winds underneath and sometimes between branches of special shrubs and trees. I hope it is enough to keep Mr. Mangy Fox at bay. I feel terrible about losing my polish. I had meant to finish the fencing earlier, but I shredded a tendon in my hand trying to make the fence, and that threw me out of commission for 3 months.

 

[dheltzel]

Just finished putting electric all around my backyard. It is a single line, and it will be quite the hassle to keep it from shorting out since it winds underneath and sometimes between branches of special shrubs and trees. I hope it is enough to keep Mr. Mangy Fox at bay. I feel terrible about losing my polish. I had meant to finish the fencing earlier, but I shredded a tendon in my hand trying to make the fence, and that threw me out of commission for 3 months.

I'm sorry a predator got your bird. It doesn't help much, but 'most all of us have lost cherished birds to predators. Sometimes free ranging, sometime a few shortcuts building their coop and run that left an opening for devious and motivated predators. I still mentally kick myself for some of those events.
I hope the electric fence is enough. Still, verify that their night time quarters are predator-proof. You will sleep better at night knowing you went above and beyond the advice and examples of others.

 

[BullChick]

I am a lucky lucky person! I occasionally don’t shut the main door to the building, but I actually left the coop itself open last night!

 

[feliciadawn]

I think the coop itself is pretty darn secure. Every door has two locks, every opening has 1/2 inch hardware cloth screwed in. More worried about the free range part. However, I promised myself when I got these chickens they would get to free range in the garden, and that is what they will continue to do.