So THIS is where all the chicken people are...

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

I love those candid shots when a roosters skirts practically get blown over his head!

Have you since added lots of 'stuff' to the run for enrichment? Some dry organic matter on the ground to scratch through and dust bath in, branches secured to the corners for perching, sump arrangements/old wood stools/chairs to jump up on and even place feed on for more locations for birds to eat. Similar to this:
View attachment 4041372

Also, that is a magnificent rooster! Faverolle?

 

[DobieLover]

flow through a pvc ever-flow waterer, similar to what Justin Rhodes built for his greenhouse flock.

I wouldn't count on this working in the winter time. Just be prepared with an alternate solution to have fresh water available during freezing temperatures.

 

[DobieLover]

Also, that is a magnificent rooster! Faverolle?

Yes. He's a well known A-hole to this site. But I still love him. He'll be 7 on April 29.

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

Yes. He's a well known A-hole to this site. But I still love him. He'll be 7 on April 29.

Often times the prettiest are the biggest A-holes! LOL

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

Alright. Managed to pretty much capture the members of the gang individually that have distinguishable features.

Below you have Cheese, Eddie the Rooster, Pico, and Moira.

One of the four Australorps is Poppy because she had a very much yellow and black face when younger, but that has turned out to look just like the other three. I dubbed those gals Eeny, Meeny, and Miny who have always looked identical.

 

[TeresaW]

Hello and welcome from WV!

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

Alright. Managed to pretty much capture the members of the gang individually that have distinguishable features.

Below you have Cheese, Eddie the Rooster, Pico, and Moira.

One of the four Australorps is Poppy because she had a very much yellow and black face when younger, but that has turned out to look just like the other three. I dubbed those gals Eeny, Meeny, and Miny who have always looked identical.

I love the coloring!

 

[kcan2]

Yes, THIS is where we are, welcome! Your flock is lovely. Sounds like you have a good rooster to help manage things.

They're already laying their nice brown eggs as well, so now I need to magic up an idea to house them and allow them to see, but not touch my flock for a while.

FYI - fellow member fuzzi is currently expanding her setup and is documenting a hoop coop build. Could be a possible solution for housing those additional ladies you are looking to acquire! Link below:

Fuzzi's chicken journal

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

We just got the run itself finalized this week. I have the mulch in the garage, just haven't put it down as they've been enjoying the little grass that was there. We still intend to put a permanent metal roof over it so it can be their safe place if for some reason we had to be gone for a couple of days. After the roof we will add guttering into a water catchment system. The water catchment will have pond pumps and tank heaters hooked to thermostatic outlets. All of this will flow through a pvc ever-flow waterer, similar to what Justin Rhodes built for his greenhouse flock. I built a set-it-and-forget-it feeder out of an old trash can and four 4" pvc elbows; I can dump two whole bags of feed in there and they have it when they want it. I also plan to build a roosting tree under the permanent roof. I aim to build temporary solid panels covered with clear pvc roofing to mount to the posts during the winter to keep them free from the cold wind and blowing snow. We can just pull those down in the spring and store them in our shed.

Here are the pics of what the coop/run/forage area look like as of today. The coop is a simple 8x10 shed. Inside are the food (garbage can feeder), calcium (bucket feeder), dust bath (in purple tub off to the right), nesting boxes to the left, and roost. Then we have a 30x10 attached run that will eventually get a solid metal roof. Finally we have the forage area I just opened for them today. As you see, they are primadonnas and don't like the 25-30 mph wind! Once they get brave, they will love that I found them some green grass and some weeds!

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

I wouldn't count on this working in the winter time. Just be prepared with an alternate solution to have fresh water available during freezing temperatures.

I'm taking it you have experience with this, so I will keep that in mind. We always have the ability to bucket water out there as it isn't more than 50 yards from the house (it's what we've done all winter and it hasn't been too bad). I'm gonna try my set up because I WANT it to work!! LOL