Bird Watching

We've had fun watching the hens get settled in their new home. 

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Our dog, (behind the run) checks out the birds.

The Chickens are Here!

The long awaited day has arrived! Last week, Dad and I finished the run. The coop inspector came the following day, and we "passed." Finally, we took our paperwork to Animal Control, and then we became the proud owners of a permit for domestic hens.


So yesterday we went out to my cousin's house to pick up our hens. (My daughter would correct me, and say they are "pullets," which is the term for hens under 6 months of age.) She's correct, since these gals are about 3 months old. We brought them home in a big cardboard box, and delivered them into their new home. We hope they like it here!

Moving the hens into their new home.

Trying out their perches.

Meet Ruby, Cookie, Annabelle, and Frieda

Hanging the Feeder

Selecting Feeders at Tractor Supply on Maynardville Hwy.

The kids and I added the final touches to our coop this week. Imree and I relocated one of two perches inside the coop in order to make room for the hanging feeder and waterer. We decided to place the feeder and waterer inside the coop so that in bad weather, the hens wouldn't have to leave in order to eat and drink. This required moving over one of the dowel rods our coop builder placed in the upper section of the coop.

Next, my son and I attached a hook in the ceiling of the coop for hanging the feeder. There is enough space now between the hanging feeder and the perch above. This space is important because when hens perch during the night, they unload a lot of droppings directly below. We don't want all that to end up in their feeder!