Friday, April 17, 2009

Home on the Range

Oh, give me a home
where the chickens all roam
And the ewes and the little lambs play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day

Home, home on the range
Where the ewes and the little lambs play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day-eee

Okay, so I might have been in the sun too long today while I was painting the sheep shack. It's another beautiful day. The girls love their new found freedom. I think it's frustrating poor little Blackbeard though. They were so excited at first they wouldn't listen to him when he called to them. Finally he gave in and just tried his best to keep up with the flock.

I'm still nervous about letting them free range. But I think it's the only way I'll get them to stop pecking out feathers. Poor Bertha still has that bald spot on her neck. I thought I would keep Old Jack and his girls in the enclosed part, but now I'm wondering if maybe Blackbeard could use Old Jack's help? I miss Bob. The big lug. Bob would keep them in line.


7 comments:

samboni said...

So is the sheep shack finished? Let's see some pics!!

Cindy said...

Free ranging chickens are happy chickens!

Patsy said...

So happy for your freed chickens. Freedom is sweet. Your eggs will be so dark yellow? I will take a dozen please.
Patsy

Griffox said...

I was nervous when I first started free ranging my chickens in the yard, too. I have fencing like yours so the only real concern during the day is hawks. The chickens seem to know to stay under the cover of trees and outbuildings. They never range out in the clearings and so far, even though I've seen hawks, I haven't lost any chickens...Oops. Now I just jinxed myself.

Chicken Herder from Westville said...

Hi there. I have chickens also and am trying to figure out some other fencing ideas for them. We have an area that is totally fenced, the top part too, a huge circle, the kids old trampoline frame we made into an enclosure for them. Now of course the grass is gone in there. Thirteen chickens will do that.

I am trying to convince the hubby to put another area fenced in with the top too, on the other side of the chicken coop, so each year we can change sides and maybe some grass would stay living in there for them to eat.

Right now we let them out from the trampoline area into another area that has a 3 foot fence that is temporary and the top is not enclosed and they just fly over the fence and get out.

They free range all over our property, we have 5 acres in grass and own 7 total with the woods. But sometimes they seem to like it near the house and we are tired of chicken poop on the sidewalks and driveway.

So we are looking for an idea to keep them in without having to clip their wings. How high is your fence? And are they staying in? Or flying over it? Thanks ahead of time.
Nancy

Unknown said...

I'm waiting for you to answer Chicken Herder from Westville's questions. I also want to know.;D

Christine said...

Our fence is four feet tall. So far they've not even been interested in flying over it, but it's only been a few days. I think there is enough area that they should be happy enough to stay inside of it. The big girls I'm sure will stay in, but I suspect the bantams might go over if they get spooked. So far I'm only letting them into the open area while I'm out there with them.