Okay--the man who wasn't keen on laying hens (and hasn't been a big egg-eater until now--they are so good) informed me today we're getting 9 more RIRs next weekend. That will bring the flock up to 16 layers! What started as a couple of hens for eggs has now expanded to a chicken farm and I think I can officially call myself a chicken keeper! (I must say, gathering those FRESH, hot eggs this morning was a trip for s/one who has never had chickens before--and I couldn't resist eating one of the eggs on top of curried creamed kale [kale from the garden]).
Here at the farm we have a 30'x40' 2-storey barn that was for cattle. It is a very nice barn--power, its own well, concrete floor. We used to use it only for storing the tractors (2), lawn tractor, trailers (2), canoe, and other such things. The loft is where the lumber that the DH saws on his sawmill is put to dry--a kiln if you will. Because I got the hens before the DH built the 9'x10' coop (complete with a concrete floor and windows), I parked the hens in the barn. That's their home (and should I mention the DH wasn't keen on laying hens when I brought Myrtle and Harriet home)? Now the hens live in the barn and the coop stands empty because the hens like the various things on which to roost and we haven't had the heart to move them to the coop that doesn't have all that cool stuff on which to roost. Tonight three of them were on the seat of one of the tractors as if they were driving it. I couldn't help but laugh. I was told to leave a light on for them to extend daylight hours, so I never know what they will be doing when I go out to turn off the light. The new flock will be put in the coop. Too bad new RIRs it isn't as large as the other "chicken house."
Stay tuned for more chicken stories. With 9 more arriving next weekend, I'm sure life in the barn will be very entertaining.