Our hens are nearly four months old already and they are growing so fast now that they've had the luxury and freedom of living outside in a chicken coop. When we built the coop we used a manzanita branch as a perch for them in the chicken run. However between running back and forth to Oregon —and all that has entailed—we've not made time to establish a much-needed perch for them inside the coop—that is until this morning.
My job was to entice them to come outside so we could get in to work in the coop . . . don't forget it's in the 90s here and they'd rather stay inside. So I cut up some apple to peek their curiosity and at the same time bribe them to come out so that we could secure them in the run. The apple treat was the first time we've ever given them anything other than their chicken feed bought at the feed store. It was fun to watch them sneak up to the tray of apple, tip-toe all around the tray keeping their eye on the apple . . . and eventually take a peck at it. Next time I'll shred the apple because the half-inch chunks didn't seem to go over well at all. But it did allow time to close the door so they couldn't return inside.
All the time Ken and I were in cleaning out the coop, building the perch, putting new sawdust down on the floor, etc., there was at least one chicken tapping on the door as if to say "Hey, what's going on in there?" And all eight of them would crowd around the door waiting for it to open.
 |
| When we finished I opened up their door and they all stood there for a good fifteen minutes just peeking inside. Not one of them dared to step inside the chicken coop for the longest time. They just each would poke their head inside to see what they could see. |
 |
| Finally one came inside, looked around, and went to the doorway as if to say "It's okay, y'all can come in now, it's safe!" |
 |
| Slowly, one by one would feel brave enough to check out their new digs. |
 |
| Once they heard the news they couldn't wait to go see what all the commotion was about. |
 |
| I love the shape of their back ends . . . aka "chicken butts!" If it weren't so hot out I could sit and watch them, they are quite entertaining with all their antics. |
Life is good!
5 comments:
Chickens are so funny. Never a dull moment. And just think, in about a month you should be getting eggs!
Thanks for reminding me, Leigh . . . better start installing the nesting boxes!
They are so cute at that age. I miss my chickens. Maybe next Spring I will get some chicks. Maybe.
Oh, what a fun story! Your babies are adorable and your coop looks awesome! Next time, try leaving the apple whole, or just cutting it in half - the chickens will *love* pecking at it and because it's so big, their pecks will get them manageable bites their little mouths can handle. It's also a very entertaining pastime! You can hang whole cauliflower and cabbage from a string in their run, too, for HOURS of chicken fun. :-)
I bet that would be really fun, just sitting and watching those chickens. Maybe get some rocking chairs and put them in the shade,and relax while rocking and watching those girls.
Post a Comment