Regrouping after predator wipe-out...

[carcar80]

Fence-height runs: do you clip hens' wings so they can't fly over? Or...?

 

[aart]

Mine's wire covered and aproned because of hawks and other predators.

Height depends on your birds, I've read sometimes clipping works, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Fence-height runs: do you clip hens' wings so they can't fly over? Or...?

I have 5 ft fencing throughout, and clip one wing each. So far the only ones to have flown the coop (sorry couldn't help myself) is one super observant RIR hen that found the one spot where we left the old fence height (4ft)!

 

[carcar80]

Ok thanks. All sides are closed in except for the front (pics in a bit), which is temporary. But I was wondering if I clip a wing will she stay in. It's a 4' high rigged (and boy, do I mean rigged!) pallet gate, lol

 

[henless]

When I was a kid, Dad always clipped one wing of his "flyers". Sometimes it worked, sometimes not.

 

[carcar80]

Never mind.. Found a rig for that too. Bahahaha

 

[carcar80]

Okay. Here it is, my totally redneck run, however I will point out that it did not cost me one CENT, and I now have a very happy Olive girl.

The rigging is temporary, until we can get together some better-looking (and more secure around the top) fare. We have most of what we need to make it good-looking, except for time right now.. and in true "me" fashion, I've got no time for waiting until we have time.. lol. Hubby only asked me once today why I'm so impatient, but aside from that he was most helpful and let me continue with my chicken thing.

So here we go. This was the space I posted the pic of yesterday, with the hay bale in it. Of course we moved the hay bale to the other side where I keep the rest of my feed (it wouldn't fit there before because giant coop was there). Our neighbor came over on his tractor and DRUG the coop from under the pole barn, and then PUSHED it underneath here with the bucket of his tractor. The thing handled it. It was a true testament to hubby's handwork on the coop! We also put some plywood over the top wire section facing outside to keep rain out.

We pushed it against the side of the workshop like this. Here you can see that, in order to get INTO the run, I have to unlatch the top panel of wire from a nail on the left side, slide the barrel over, and drag the pallet-gate far enough to squeeze in. Simple!

You can also see where hubby and a friend hammered on some spare tin roof to close in what was open space above the pasture fencing. The tin roof at the top of the back section was there when we bought the place.

 

[carcar80]

Here are a couple pics from inside the run. When we moved the round bale (which had already been opened), it left a lot of hay behind and Olive seemed to enjoy it so much I just drug it all over the run floor. This won't be what I'll use for footing permanently, but I'll leave it until it's run its course.

Looking from inside gate:


Olive catching some evening rays:


Looking back toward the gate of the run:

 

[carcar80]

Oh yeah! You can see from the last view there that I also made some hang-out poles by pushing through the wire some bamboo I found while cleaning out the space.

Meanwhile, on the more "upscale" side of the barn

I've got all kinds of space now while I'm feeding my horse. Haha! (This is where that coop used to sit, to the right up against the split rail.)

 

[carcar80]

And last but not least, (sorry for so many posts, trying to move these pics around is a pain).. Olive got some new roomies just before dark tonight.

I chose another Black Star for their big ol' brown eggs, a BO like one that I lost, and a Red Star which I've never had before. But I figure if my Black Star is such a good bird, why not a red?






I got three new girls from the same farm where I got my original flock- the only place I'll ever buy birds probably. This lady runs a tight ship.. the first time I went there I apologized for getting mud on the floor in her chick room, lol. So I don't worry about disease.. and the way I see it, with just one hen to start with, it's not like I have a whole lot to lose over not quarantining. :shrug:

Olive didn't puff up once at her new friends, she was curious but not mean in the least- maybe since she was outnumbered? Either way, as soon as they were out of the box there was lots of eating, drinking, and general egg-song merriment. I felt comfy leaving them alone for a while, and when I went back to close the coop they were all on the roost together (the light isn't for warmth, just for me to see):

So now I am back up to four hens, just like before the big loss. Plus, by the looks of these girls faces, if they aren't laying already then they are within weeks of it. I can't wait!



Goodnight!