Homestead Happenings

 

We’re expanding our flock this season.

When Omlet came out with this larger coop,

we knew we needed more living space for our girls.

The other thought was that it would mean

only one coop to clean for me.

How exciting it was to find these awaiting me 

when I arrived home one afternoon.

Omlet gives you everything you need!

Omlet coops come with great, easy-to-follow instructions,

and there are videos found online if needed.

Big K and I had this assembled in a couple of hours.

The improvements, like the new ramp,

should make life even better for the chooks.

There are so many wonderful features about this coop

that I really love,

like the new separated nesting boxes,

which allow hens more privacy,

the larger size, and the enhanced security doors.

It is worth the high price tag,

because we’ll never need to buy another coop.

I don't endorse many products, 

but I believe in Omlet products so much,

that I became an ambassador.

The second improvement we made for the chooks,

was replacing our janky fencing

with a new enclosed run.

Another diy project,

Big K and I tackled this job in steps.

The frame came with chicken wire,

but we wanted a sturdier material for the surrounding cage.

This 1x1 inch welded wire did the trick.

We also found stainless steel tie wraps 

to connect the wire to the frame.

It took us about 6 hours over a few days, as weather permitted,

to get the structure up.

We love the more streamlined look,

and the chooks are getting used to their new digs.

It makes me feel better

knowing that the hawks that live in our neighborhood,

will have to go elsewhere for their lunch.

The buffet is closed.

Remember I said that one of the reasons

I wanted a bigger coop was so that I would have 

only 1 to clean?

Well, that didn't really work out,

because Betty, our barred rock,

still has issues with her balance,

and I don't think she'd be able to use the ramp.

She is also mercilessly picked on by three of the girls,

so we have her and Queenie living in style

on the other side of the big run.

This will get some updates as well,

we just haven't gotten to them yet.

For now, they seem content in their Omlet Go.

Big K installed this automatic door to the run,

so that the chooks can free range at least once a day.

We have it set to open for an hour in the afternoon.

The bonus is that we now have a working camera out there,

so that we can check on them from inside the house.

Overall, we're happy with the added security,

and although we've only had one predator attack (a dog)

in the three years we've been chicken tending,

these additional measures should give this chicken momma

a lot of peace of mind.

What’s new on your homestead?

Chook Run Upgrade

 

There's always another project when you have a homestead.

 We recently made some changes to the chook yard.

The first thing we did was to replace the nylon fencing

with welded wire and conduit.

It was a simple job that only took us a few hours to complete.

The extra security it offers the chooks was well worth the time.

It was much easier to install than a wooden rail fence,

which would have required digging holes in our Carolina clay

(no small feat).

We're thinking the metal fencing will last much longer as well.

 

 

We also added these sail shades to either side of the gazebo structure,

which will provide much more shade throughout the run.

These shades were found at the local home improvement center

and fairly easy to install.

They do not protect from rain,

but the heat of summer will be eased a bit with this coverage.

 

 Hyacinth beans have been planted at the four inner corners of the frame.

This will provide even more shade,

along with some beautiful vines and purple flowers.

 

It was a thrill when I was contacted by Omlet,

(the best chicken coop makers in the world),

and asked if I'd like to test their new mobile perch.

The chooks always flock (couldn't resist),

around something new,

and I am working on training them to use it.

I'll do a separate review after we've had it for a while.

Here are a couple of posts on our Omlet coops.

Omlet Cube

Omlet Go

 After our rooster, Gandalf, got attacked last fall,

we knew we had to stop free ranging the chooks.

It took some looking, but I was able to find

this mobile run that can easily be moved every day.

Three of them can fit in it comfortably,

so our son C, rotates the girls every other day,

and leaves them in there for an hour or so.

This gives them some time away from the others,

although we are sure to always keep them in sight of each other,

so as not to cause any distress.

We are happy with the improvements we've made,

and it looks like the chooks are enjoying them too.

 

 

 

 

I am an Omlet ambassador.

This means that if anyone would like to know about our experience

with this company and its products,

they can contact me and even come to see the products we own.

This is the only product that I endorse publicly,

which tells you how strongly I feel about the company.

If you want to learn more about Omlet,

feel free to contact me

or head to their website, which can be found here.

A Tale of Two Coops

 

 

We've had our chooks since last summer,

when a dear friend had to relocate out of state

and needed to find a home for her flock.

It's been one of the best things to happen to us,

as we enjoy caring for them

and the bounty that they bring in the form of eggs and compost.

Even our son, C, who rarely ventures outside,

has become fascinated by them and is in charge

of putting them to bed and collecting eggs.

 

We started out with a traditional wooden coop,

but soon found that it was not working out.

After some research, we landed on the Eglu coop from Omlet,

and it has turned out to be the perfect fit.

It is so easy to clean,

which at this stage of my life is paramount,

and the flock seems to be quite content.

We started out with the largest coop,

with room for up to 10 chickens

(they haven't seen our rooster Gandalf),

and three, count 'em, three nesting boxes (shown on the left side)

for cozy laying for the hens.

 

Even through the snow and frigid temperatures,

the chooks have been comfortable.

The insulated walls have done a remarkable job

of keeping the temperatures pleasant inside.

The Omlet Go

 

At some point a few months ago,

our sweet Queenie began to sit on eggs.

Unfortunately, her timing was off,

as we had no way of allowing her to continue

and keep the eggs safe from the other chooks.

You see, although there are three nesting boxes,

as is often the case, they all use the same one.

I ended up taking the eggs until we could accommodate her maternal urges.

 

The smaller Omlet Go was purchased a few weeks ago

in hopes that she would remain broody.

In this way, she could have the coop to herself

and the other chooks would be separated from the would-be momma.

The Go has only one nesting box,

but still room for up to 6 chooks.

The smaller coop was added to the yard

just to get them used to it.

There was no shortage of curiosity seekers.

This coop will double as a hospital, should it be needed.

Now that we're prepared for chicks,

Ms. Queenie is not showing signs of broodiness.

Ah well, at least we are ready in the event

that someone decides they want to be a momma.

New chicks on the homestead would be a thrill

and an especially valuable experience for C, 

who has really taken a shine to his charges.