Ribh's D'Coopage

[BY Bob]

It's an old style quince. It was on the property when we bought it.
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That is a great bush for chickens! Tons of cover!

 

[BY Bob]

He's a lovely boy Alex

Here's a link

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/have-you-ever.1423094/page-2

Wow he is gorgeous! It is a wonderful picture as well! So nice to finally meet him.

 

[BY Bob]

Pepper will roost on a branch/cane in the middle of the Chinese Lantern. The other girls don't.

Look carefully for a black shadow in the middle of the branches above the other chickens. That's Pepper. No-one bothers her there!
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I think if you look for a local plant that has a "fountain" like habit or a weeping habit you will get a plant cave eventually.

Here are a couple of New Jersey Native plant sites I found if they help.

https://www.jerseyyards.org/jersey-friendly-plants/native-plants/

http://www.npsnj.org/

There she is again! Hi Tsuki!

 

[featherhead007]

Pepper will roost on a branch/cane in the middle of the Chinese Lantern. The other girls don't.

Look carefully for a black shadow in the middle of the branches above the other chickens. That's Pepper. No-one bothers her there!
View attachment 2376235

I think if you look for a local plant that has a "fountain" like habit or a weeping habit you will get a plant cave eventually.

Here are a couple of New Jersey Native plant sites I found if they help.

https://www.jerseyyards.org/jersey-friendly-plants/native-plants/

http://www.npsnj.org/

And HI Tsuki! Angel dove!

 

[RoyalChick]

Partridge Cochin is what Jaffar is.

Thank you. I am not sure I have seen enough of those to be confident of recognizing the breed but he is definitely a fine looking rooster

 

[Shadrach]

Walked up the track North a bit today. These are all taken on the property.
I'll post some more on MJ's thread.

 

[Shadrach]

The last of the beehives, There used to be eight hives here.

Solomon and Jenny have taken over the space under the hay rack now Cillin and co are occupying the bush by the bread oven.

This would be rather sweet if it wasn't how they spend most of their day. Sheep need taking out.

 

[Ribh]

Love pepper in the branches - and many thanks for the links.
I am going to wait until there is a nasty weekend and then I am going to have a fun time figuring out what to plant come spring.
Meanwhile, I am going to take cuttings from some red twigged dogwoods I already have that are very pretty and are that sort of shape. There is a fair bit of space - it is the edge of the big field - so I think I could plant a mix of things. I am excited about this plan for improving the Chicken Palace (of course finishing it before improving it would be a good idea!). They have loads of space in the Palace grounds including two pasture runs - and they seem very happy jumping through the little chicken doors from one area to another - but when I let them out I don't like how exposed they are in the open field. A little shrub area will be perfect!

A variety of things 2~3 deep [@ various heights & widths ]will give you something like an English hedgerow. Not only will it give your chickens hidey holes it will create a micro environment & create habitat for insects & small animals that the girls will enjoy foraging after.

 

[Ribh]

Walked up the track North a bit today. These are all taken on the property.
I'll post some more on MJ's thread.
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That is really lovely, Shad. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Ribh]

The last of the beehives, There used to be eight hives here.
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Solomon and Jenny have taken over the space under the hay rack now Cillin and co are occupying the bush by the bread oven.
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This would be rather sweet if it wasn't how they spend most of their day. Sheep need taking out.
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My man has put a shelf under the verandah & we now have 2 hives on it. I think there's room for 2 more. The 1st lot of native hedgerowing on the footpath is starting to flower & as our building materials come off the footpath I will plant out what I have hardening off. We've lost a bit but that is par for the course with natives. They don't like being moved around. Will you harvest your hives again this year?