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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Queen Elizabeth and 'Cluckingham' Palace






This is my 6 year old daughter Elizabeth (Lizzy), in front of our first attempt at a chicken tractor. I say first attempt because this is all new to us and what crazy person (me!!) expects the first attempt to turn out perfectly or even adequately?! These chickens are at my Dad's place 30 miles away, the site of future home (keeping fingers crossed!). The laying flock needed a summer home while their coop was borrowed by the Cornish cross meat birds. Tom and I had read Joe Salatin's Pastured Poultry book and were excited to try it out. We made some modifications and ended up with something with a smaller square foot footprint, but taller and heavier (Tom can pull it, but us less gifted mortals have to use the garden tractor to move it!). It currently houses one rooster 9 leghorns and approx 20 bantams. They have been in there for 1 week and egg production has dropped off alot. The production of the chickens left behind in the orchard has also dropped. I think they are all stressed. I know next to nothing about chickens, but now my real education begins. I will keep you all posted as to what we figure out.

3 comments:

Judy T said...

Love the tiara! I think the palace looks grand for a first attempt. Sorry, I can't give any helpful advice about chickens. We had them when I was little but all I had to do was gather eggs and scoop #*%t.
Judy

Ruth Trowbridge said...

Production slows in the heat. I see a future farmer. Be proud. Peace

Sue said...

Nice new digs for the chickens. We bow to the queen!