First Steps
June 30th, 2014 · No Comments · Posted in farming
Finally, the big day arrives. We open the door to the coop and the new layer pullets get their first taste of life outdoors. Or, maybe not. They spend a few hours poking their heads out the door, craning their necks to take in their surroundings, peck at any tall grass that might be within reach. After two months, first in the brooder, then in the coop, you’d think they’d be anxious for a taste of freedom. They’re still very cautious.
Eventually, the girls make their way down the ramp and investigate. We raised 320 feet of electric netting, so they have a fairly large area to romp in. The coop is the one we originally built for the Guinea hens that disappeared all to quickly. My wife and daughter decided to a start a flock of Americauna hens for the colored eggs they lay. I guess the brown eggs from our Rhode Island Reds are too dull.
With the Americaunas, we have more than doubled our laying stock. We have 20 more Reds as well, moving about the farm in a “tractor” until they are big enough to join the established flock. With all these hens, we eventually will be collecting four dozen or more eggs every day. And we have customers eager to buy them.
Slowly, we are learning our way around the poultry business. Chickens are a great asset for the farm. Plus, they’re just fun to have around. After their first day on grass, these girls weren’t quite sure what to do. As darkness fell, they just huddled around their feeder. They had to be gathered up and carried back to the coop. Eventually, they’ll learn that’s where they’re supposed to bunk at night. We keep the door locked to protect our girls from night-time predators.
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