The Homestead Coop

[HomesteaderWife]

Our two new ducklings walking around. They're being pretty bossy to the chickens, but otherwise are really sweet and easy to handle.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

It's a bad day at the homestead. I lost one of my little girls (Runt, my white and black EE) to a weasel attack last night. I am heartbroken that my little sweetheart was killed, and thus I am on the warpath to take out this weasel using a homemade weasel box trap. I am also going to be setting out a live trap in case anything larger is lurking around. So, for now, I am going to leave my update at this,


My sweet Runt when she was a little baby...without all of her big girl feathers. Gonna miss you little one. R.I.P.

 

[Free Feather]

If one got in, other animals can get in, too. You will need to make the pen more predator proof.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

If one got in, other animals can get in, too. You will need to make the pen more predator proof.

Hey there FF- we have since proofed the pen thoroughly, and also have traps set out around their enclosure for predators. Everyone has been kept safe and we haven't had anymore attacks, thank God!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Just some other random photos from the Homestead -


The three little hens: Chocolate Bird (CB), Pretty Girl, and Fat Momma enjoy their homemade perch from scrap wood. It's made from two Sweet Gum logs, and a scrap piece of Pine my husband cut off while milling wood. In the background is a little nest box made from an old book shelf, and the ramp to go up to their coop!



An older photo showing us converting the bottom of the coop into a rabbit pen. The chickens kept coming over and pecking at tools, as if to ask, "What are you doing, humans?"

 

[Free Feather]

Just some other random photos from the Homestead -


The three little hens: Chocolate Bird (CB), Pretty Girl, and Fat Momma enjoy their homemade perch from scrap wood. It's made from two Sweet Gum logs, and a scrap piece of Pine my husband cut off while milling wood. In the background is a little nest box made from an old book shelf, and the ramp to go up to their coop!



An older photo showing us converting the bottom of the coop into a rabbit pen. The chickens kept coming over and pecking at tools, as if to ask, "What are you doing, humans?"

Are you going to let the rabbits into the chicken run? If I get rabbits again, that is what I am going to do. They are healthier when they can run around, the only issue is keeping them from digging out of the fence.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Are you going to let the rabbits into the chicken run? If I get rabbits again, that is what I am going to do. They are healthier when they can run around, the only issue is keeping them from digging out of the fence.

Not sure if we are going to let them run around, as our ducks have been bullies so far with the chickens. They have been doing a lot better, but I am worried about the interaction between them all seeing as the rabbits are adults, and the ducks/chickens are almost fully grown. I'm not familiar too terribly with the behavior of these three animal species, but I know that with dogs and cats...it is usually best to introduce them all at a young age- the imprint and character building period. That way they adjust to being around each other, and it becomes familiar and not so scary. I have been thinking about letting them out for supervised play, but we have not had much time to do that with assembling our saw mill lately. I am glad you mentioned this, though, because I would love to be able to do this in the future with maybe some young chicks and young bunnies! I believe that would make for a great Easter party here at the Homestead