Week #16 - Moving forward..

Spring time is always a bit of a juggle... we always seem to be moving things around! 

As the weather changes and our seed flats grow, we are constantly shifting them around to maximize sun and heat. Moving flats between the house and the greenhouse and transplanting plants into larger pots is keeping us busy these days. 

This week we will also be moving the ladies out of the winter coop and into their summer housing in the pasture. Our laying hens will be moved out to our 'chicken tractors' which are portable shelters that allow them access to be on fresh pasture everyday but not be vulnerable to predators. For the last few weeks, they've been spilling out of the winter coop and wandering around the farm... which makes finding their eggs a bit of a daily challenge. 

Moving onions to the greenhouse

If you are looking for a bit of exercise... you are welcome to pop by Tuesday night around dusk to help move 150 wily chickens to the back field!  

The winter coop!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 326

The winter coop is warm and snug and the girls seem to be adjusting well to the move inside. 

While I'm sure like all of us that they would prefer to out in the field and sunshine scrounging for bugs (well I'm good without that last part...), they seem to be happy enough scratching in the leaves and straw that we use for bedding in the coop. 

They sure have lots to say anyway.... #cluckinghens

Silly chickens!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 29

Our laying hens spend the cold months in the barn. We feed them using these feeders that we suspend from the ceiling. This prevents them from tipping them over and spilling all the feed. 

We usually put a lid on the top of the feeder to prevent them from flying in... as you can see, if you don't they tend to use it as a place to lay! 

They also don't know how to take turns so you will often find two or three trying to cram in to the same nesting spot! Silly chickens! 

Ready for 4H camp

FFF Photo a Day - Day 23

Truck is packed and some of us are on our way for camp. Cue camp songs loud and out of key. 

Hopefully those staying home find the chickens that went exploring outside the henhouse on this warm winter day.

Patiently waiting....

FFF Photo a Day - Day 18

Mid- January on the prairies and all living things are waiting for spring. 

Here you can see our chicken tractors (movable chicken shelters) empty and half buried in snow. 

In the warm months we use these shelters (which simply slide along the grass) to protect the chickens from predators while still providing them with daily fresh pasture to feed on. 

In the winter we line the tractors up along the tree line and put them up on blocks to ensure they don't get stuck in the ice during the spring freeze and thaw cycle. 

Well, hello there!

FFF Photo a Day - Day 17

The other night we didn't close the chicken coop door completely, leaving a small opening near the bottom. 

Thus, this morning when we went out to check on things... this is what greeted us. 

She was making a racket and I swear she was scolding me for not coming earlier!