Somewhat Suspicious

Four weeks ago one of our ex-battery hens got broody, quite unusual for a hyline hen as they have it bred out of them so they lay more eggs, but we decided to put some eggs under her and see what happens.

She has been residing in the small hutch we have which is about the size of a rabbit hutch. Paul has been busy building a new chook coop for her and the chickies to live in when they hatch out.

Sadly the five eggs she was sitting on didn’t hatch, we’re not sure why as they were fully grown but it may be that they got infected when one of the eggs broke. I was pretty gutted, I was looking forward to having little chickies around! So we decided to buy some one day and three day old chicks off Trade Me and put them under her … hoping she wouldn’t reject them.

A couple of nights ago we did this, and she has taken to them really well, and is being a Mum now which is awesome.

Audrey (the hen) looks like Godzilla next to the tiny chickies!

The chicks are mottle pekin bantams, yellow and black and there is one which is more yellow and caramel.

We don’t know what sex they are, hopefully not all males! We’d like to have one rooster and three hens.

There’s seven in total, we’ll keep four and Todd and Traci are going to take three.

Today Paul finished the coop and it’s AMAZING! Typical Paul-style, he couldn’t knock up something half assed, he’s worked really hard on this and I’m so proud of him. I helped out with the painting of the stain on the wood, and holding things etc lol

The frame, with only some bits stained.

Stained frame, with the house part partially done and the nesting boxes going in.

D’Arcy in the nesting box!

The finished product, ready to be moved from the garage into the paddock … easier said than done!

Out of the garage … now around the corner and into the paddock. It was hard work!

Paul made the nesting boxes removable for easy cleaning. Helped to squeeze the coop past the carport as well!

It has made it, yay! We have put the small hutch inside the coop for now while the chicks are too young to use the ramp. Part of the roof is perpex, but most is corrugated iron. Paul is latching the door.

On the right hand side there is a door that opens up to make cleaning easy.

Zoomed in you can see the two roosting perches, and the nesting boxes on the far side. There is a small mesh covered window for air flow.

View looking towards the house.

The sheep inspecting the “new thing” in the paddock!

The chickies inspecting the long grass of the paddock. It didn’t take long for them to come out and get some food, along with Mum of course!