Henhouse Construction
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I want to thank everyone who suggested bribing our chickens with oatmeal. This is the first "treat" they've found tempting. I'm glad Robb and I had worked with birds in the past, because it prepared us for their panicky behavior. Our poor chickens. They are so terrified of us. They all cram into a cowering heap, behind their feeder, and try to bury themselves in the corner of their brooder box. It's a pathetic spectacle.
Robb has continued working on our chicken coop. He's added the nest boxes, on the left of the structure. They'll have a hinged top, so that we can collect eggs without having to crawl inside the henhouse.
You can see some spare hive-boxes, piled inside the henhouse. We're planning on splitting up several of our colonies of bees, and housing them with friends. One colony will go to Allie, who lost her bees when one of her neighbors sprayed her hive with insecticide. She's located a more secluded spot in her yard, and plans to try again.
I want to thank everyone who suggested bribing our chickens with oatmeal. This is the first "treat" they've found tempting. I'm glad Robb and I had worked with birds in the past, because it prepared us for their panicky behavior. Our poor chickens. They are so terrified of us. They all cram into a cowering heap, behind their feeder, and try to bury themselves in the corner of their brooder box. It's a pathetic spectacle.
Robb has continued working on our chicken coop. He's added the nest boxes, on the left of the structure. They'll have a hinged top, so that we can collect eggs without having to crawl inside the henhouse.
You can see some spare hive-boxes, piled inside the henhouse. We're planning on splitting up several of our colonies of bees, and housing them with friends. One colony will go to Allie, who lost her bees when one of her neighbors sprayed her hive with insecticide. She's located a more secluded spot in her yard, and plans to try again.
Comments
The front of our hives were almost scary today. Poor bees, been cooped up because of the rain, and they came out in clouds this afternoon. We so need to split...again! Just need the rain to hold off for another 24 hours!
Another treat that mine like is the chick starter mixed with a little hot water and some yogurt. Be careful about giving them anything but starter in the beginning, because they need grit to digest anything else.
When they are older, you can give them mealworms.. they go nuts for that, but again, they will need grit (get parakeet grit from any pet store). Mine are now 6-7 weeks old and they run to me whenever they see me coming. They think they are going to get a treat!
Di, Hixson TN (AQ)
The bees are really struggling with the rain, I'm with CVS -- you can practically see them partying when the sun shines!
The coop is looking great.
I'm starting a series on my blog that will feature people in the city who have poultry; can I interview you or would you consider a guest post? http://faultlinefarm.blogspot.com