John and I aren't exactly spring chickens, but we have decided to get chickens this spring here at Struan Farm.
John has been pressing the issue for some time. His family always had "hens," and he has a romanticised recollection about them wandering around clucking. It took the COVID lockdown here in NZ to convince me that this might be a good idea, since even though John insists they pretty much look after themselves, we all know who's going to be looking after them, don't we?
It will be good to have fresh fresh range eggs for ourselves, farmstay guests (when we're back in Level 1), and surplus for the Piopio Community Fruit & Veg Stand. I suspect nephew Mike will also be happy to have some.
So we've fenced off a small area for the chooks to be able to free range, lined the fencing with chicken wire, and set nephew Mike to building a chicken coop, aka "Cluckingham Palace." (Yes, there will be a sign in due course.) I've ordered "chicken green" seeds from King's, have started some in several planters we'll put in the paddock and we'll also fence off a small garden area where I'll plant more for them to munch on. They'll also get leftover green scraps from the veggie gardens to supplement their feed. Of course if we're having hens we want them to be happy and well nourished!
Hopefully the coop will be finished this next week. Six "Hy Line" ready-to-lay hens have been ordered from a commercial breeder in New Plymouth, with thanks to Mike's mum. I've got an automatic feeder and waterer for them from Appleton's. Also wood shavings for the nesting boxes.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of this story. I've been reading up to improve my chicken husbandry, and names have already been decided upon.
Comments