The girls are alive and well, contrary to what my previous post looked like ;) I thought I would post a few pictures showing what they have been doing the last few days. We have been having really bad rain storms, we got an inch yesterday alone! So while they are out of their coop during the day, they haven't been wandering around much. They spend most of their time huddled under a plywood sheet that I leaned against the house to make a sort of tent for them:
Omelet isnt in that picture, because she came charging out to see what I was doing:
I guess they are smart enough to get out of the rain, so that's something! We did have a little sun over the weekend, so they were out foraging:
And taking naps in their favorite nap place, on the deck against the sliding glass door:
They are so much fun to watch roaming around, but I really want to get their run built sometime soon. I don't want them to get in the habit of laying eggs around the yard, so I think once we have the run built, I will let them out of the coop into the run for the morning hours, and then in the afternoon let them out into the yard. They really enjoy running around outside. They are starting to get braver and explore more, so I am finding them hanging out right on the edge of the grass. In some ways I don't want to let them out in the grass, because its much more open out there, and I worry more that something would get them (hawks or stray cats). We also will have to figure out a way to keep them out of the garden, and cant think of anything that is going to be pleasing to the eye, but also effective. And they poop.....A LOT. Which is gross when its all over the deck and patio. We are all getting very good at watching where we step. Its worse than having a dog! At the same time, I really want them to have a "good" life, and the more that they free range, the better their eggs and health will be, so even though their are obvious drawbacks, I think in the end we will just let them roam free part of the day. I cant wait till we start getting some eggs!! These girls need to start earning their keep :)
Omelet isnt in that picture, because she came charging out to see what I was doing:
I guess they are smart enough to get out of the rain, so that's something! We did have a little sun over the weekend, so they were out foraging:
And taking naps in their favorite nap place, on the deck against the sliding glass door:
They are so much fun to watch roaming around, but I really want to get their run built sometime soon. I don't want them to get in the habit of laying eggs around the yard, so I think once we have the run built, I will let them out of the coop into the run for the morning hours, and then in the afternoon let them out into the yard. They really enjoy running around outside. They are starting to get braver and explore more, so I am finding them hanging out right on the edge of the grass. In some ways I don't want to let them out in the grass, because its much more open out there, and I worry more that something would get them (hawks or stray cats). We also will have to figure out a way to keep them out of the garden, and cant think of anything that is going to be pleasing to the eye, but also effective. And they poop.....A LOT. Which is gross when its all over the deck and patio. We are all getting very good at watching where we step. Its worse than having a dog! At the same time, I really want them to have a "good" life, and the more that they free range, the better their eggs and health will be, so even though their are obvious drawbacks, I think in the end we will just let them roam free part of the day. I cant wait till we start getting some eggs!! These girls need to start earning their keep :)