I’ve come to realize that my life is all about the chickens…and of course Sir Benedict.
They tell me, under no uncertain terms, when to wake up. On those rare mornings that I have not gotten out of bed before sunrise, Benedict loudly calls from his high roost, and the hens squawk and complain….and poop…everywhere. Since I clean their roosts, nesting boxes, and platforms in front of their nesting boxes every morning…it’s a good idea to get them out just as the sunlight crests the darkness. I fudge this timing, just a little on the weekends, but still need to get out there before the hens have need for their time of privacy.
This flock dictates how late I can stay out at night…somebody has to close the door to the hen house after dark!! Predators in the forest = a definite need for security.
The flock and I have a symbiotic relationship…..they poop…I pick it up. They eat…I buy more food. They get blown by the wind….I cover up the drafts…. (this will be the last time I do this….more on that in my next post.)
The UPS guy told me that that was the most “Red Neck” chicken coop he’s ever seen…hahahaha!
…..they poop…I pick it up (yes, I said that twice…I spend a lot of time picking up chicken poop!) My flock free range. They follow their natural food sources, and always end up back in their house at night. Sometimes that means this……
Hey, get off the porch…that water is for the dogs!!
….and this…..
Seriously…that is chicken poop…That’s ridiculous!!!
….so, I follow them around picking up their…not so golden surprises. In the end, I believe the flock is healthier (I know we are!) and happier.
If you have 41 seconds….take a look at our little video, 29 Hours on the Farm , …. this is the reason I let this flock run my life ….
….next stop….well, we’re looking at goats (any ideas?), but I think I need a trip to Disneyland first!!! I’ve definitely got the bug!!
Thank you, for visiting the farm this morning!! Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Your friend from Oregon,
Tami
Build Me a Dream 
Comments on: "29 Hours on the Farm" (2)
Goats are wonderful fun creatures. We don’t have chickens yet…..hopefully soon. But the goats are so fun. We have meat goats (tho we won’t eat them). But I would like a milk goat. A milk goat and some chickens and I am set for awhile. :).
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š Goats are really starting to grow on me. Are they self sufficient if you leave them for a couple of days, or do you need to care for them more like a dog? Mine would be in pasture much of the time, so maybe I would need a “babysitter” to go along with them…enter the donkey!! š
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