Coop improvements are never-ending, aren’t they? One little change always seems to lead to another. Maybe this time I had a little something to do with that. I ordered a ridiculous amount of chicks this fall and although I have enough space to accommodate the numbers, the nest box situation came up short. I must have complained enough to my husband about this self-inflicted problem, and just look at what he built for me! What a guy! Anything new of substantial size in the hen house means some serious rearranging of everything inside. Needless to say, I’ve spent the last few days in a chicken coop. But it was so worth it! Do I dare mention to hubby that my grow pens are full and I’m expecting a bunch of Mille Fleurs in a few weeks?
It can sometimes be hard to watch chickens battle the summer heat. You’ve probably seen them holding their wings away from their body, maybe even panting. This is a good time to make an extra trip to the coop during the day to refresh their water and offer a cool treat. Watermelon is an excellent source of needed fluids, it’ll keep them plenty busy, and they love it. Loosen up some dirt giving them a fresh place to scratch around in. Put a hose on a slow drip, it’ll provide a cooler place for your chickens, and it might even attract a few bugs or worms for them to enjoy.
Making the decision to free-roam your chickens has benefits for you and your flock, but there are also risks to consider.
Wondering how big a chore it would be to have a few chickens? Maybe you already have a backyard flock and find them a bit overwhelming to care for. Truth is, I think we’re all a little guilty of fussing over our birds more than we need to. We worry about predators and try to keep them safe by locking them up in a coop, then, watch them unhappily pace their walls of confinement. Chickens that are allowed to free roam will be busy looking for bugs and scratching around in the dirt. They will require much less upkeep, lower your feed bill, and have a much cleaner coop. In my opinion, coops are for laying eggs and a nighttime safe haven. I lock up my flock at night and do the best I can to protect them from predators. At dawn, I let them out and hope for the best. That may be a little risky, but let’s face it, so is driving in your car. If you don’t have the free roaming option, then a coop is going to require some work on your part. Even just a couple hens are dirty, and after just a few days the coop will need to be cleaned. Coops can be hot in the summer and freezing cold in winter. Cleaning the coop, feeding, watering, and picking eggs probably aren’t going to make your list of favorite things to do in inclement weather. Chickens are actually pretty smart, they managed to find food, shelter, and are capable of hiding from danger. They huddle together to stay warm in the winter and are smart enough to dig holes in the dirt to stay cool during the summer months. I provide a safe place for my flock at night and enjoy watching my chickens enjoy their freedom during the day.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 