After we lost Scout to a probable Cooper Hawk, we started limiting how much time the girls got to stay out of the kennel uncovered. Matt read that the hawks primarily hunt early in the day and right before dusk, so we’d go let them into their yard at noon and back in by 3. They LOVED scratching the ground, eating bugs and moving around. They are still pretty young so it was also a good way to teach them to roost and go into the coop at night.
Then…Matt bought a mobile coop with a top, that we will move around the pasture. He moves it every 2-3 days so they get fresh grass. They are funny when they eat blades of grass. They twirl the blade with their tongue before swallowing it. This coop is about 20’ long and 10’ wide but only about 6’ high in the middle. I fit ok although I do have to bend forward to get through the door. A feeder and waterer hang from the center bar for continuous food and water access. Matt also purchased a 17 gallon water container for the back that moves with the coop. He raises the wheels and lift the front to move it. It was easier before we just had a major deluge and so much mud, but he can do that by himself.
Matt has added a plastic sheeting to the bare sides because- Wilton winds- it blew enough to actually move the coop a bit. The hens had to get used to the noise of the flapping in the wind but again, after just a day or two, seemed unbothered by it. They also had to learn to reach up more for the scratch and water but have figured it out. They don’t even seem bothered when he moves it. We did have a crazy 4 day storm and the ground was very wet but so far no problems. They just roost off the ground in between eating cycles. They are eating a ton because it is cold but that’s ok. They are sounding more like hens every day. Funny how their “voices” changed as they got wider bodied. Puberty! At this time Hermie is 20 weeks and the others 16-17 weeks. They would probably come into lay if the day light was longer so we might add a light to extend the day! Most chickens want 14 hours of light to start laying. Hermie is also starting to squat near me for a second or two but then getting distracted ( mating behaviors). They certainly have enough high quality food and have gotten very close to full size already. The chocolate Orpington girls (Cordelia, Charlotte and Emma) are just about as big as Hermie and she isn’t a small hen. The Easter Eggers (Vin and Enola) haven’t grown any taller for a bit although their face feathers are starting to puff out. So not quite matured but getting close. The coop also has a nesting box that can attach to the back when it is time.
One of Gabe’s favorite things to do is carry the bag of dried mealworms from the barn out to the coop. He is still a little leary of the hens when they approach the gate (they are face high!) but very intrigued by them. Won’t be long until he can help me collect eggs and feed them!
Update: Matt added the nest boxes on the back of the coop!
