How we added chickens to our homestead

[Justanotherguy]

It started with clearing land. We cleared the trees for a garden the chicken coop and the headquarters of our home business as well as a large parking pad and for firewood production. We started with 24 chicks and then ate the 4 that were roosters leaving 20 layers.

The coop is 6 x 8 with 4 roosting bars and 4 nesting boxes. We cant free range with the high predator numbers here. The covered run will be 10 x 26

First we had to get rid of that old red shed.

It was a constant battle between warm days with ankle deep mud or freezing temps and snow that halted construction. (Such is spring time)

 

[Justanotherguy]

 

[Justanotherguy]

 

[Justanotherguy]

Then it was time to build the enclosed run.

We got 6 x 6 beams from a barn being torn down locally. These will make up the base of the run.

The mud would pull our boots off.

 

[Justanotherguy]

We got it enclosed before another winter storm

Because of the blowing snows we get, I added retractable sun shade curtains. You can see out but the snow doesn't get in..

We had many inspectors.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Great coop and run. I can't imagine needing to protect my birds against bears!

 

[Justanotherguy]

Then another snow storm.

Then we officially named it.

During deer season they get extra protien. Nothing is wasted.

In the first year, we got a lot of eggs.

We have never lost a bird to predators. I have eliminated a lot of skunk and coon and weasel via trapping. Fox, coyote, wolf and bear have not been a problem so far.

 

[Justanotherguy]

Great coop and run. I can't imagine needing to protect my birds against bears!

We have never lost a bird to predators. I have eliminated a lot of skunk and coon and weasel via trapping. Fox, coyote, wolf and bear have not been a problem so far.

 

[Justanotherguy]

This last month the chickens have seen 17 days of below zero temps including temps as low as -31F and wind chills down to -50F They do just fine thanks to the sun shade curtains.

We use bucket heaters for their water. Egg production decreases this time of year but we still run a surplus daily.