Monday, 8 June 2009 - 2nd Day of Freedom

Had today off work and got up at 6.30am. By the time I'd finished sorting out the girls it was 7.15am. When I go to work tomorrow I will begin a new life of getting up at 6am.

This will be a challenge as I think my natural body clock wants to wake me at 9.30-10am ish but it has to be done - what a dedicated hen keeper I am!

It's not much of a challenge at the moment though as it's summer (not that you'd know that from the current weather) but how I will do it in the middle of winter I really don't know.

Back to the chickens:

They came out of the house (without my help today) but I'm not sure they are eating enough. Ginger went straight into the food and won't let the other 2 get a look in. I'm now putting 3 bowls in the run in the hopes that Dorothy and Lucy will get some, but Ginger kicks it all over the ground so I guess they will be able to peck at it there too.

I spent the morning figuring out how much wood I will need to build the run to attach to the hen house. Not being very good at maths this took some time, but eventually I worked out how many lengths of wood I will need - using 2.4m lengths I made it 18. However, until I actually start constructing it I won't know if it is enough.

I went to Wickes and bought the wood and hinges. I also got a couple of hasp and staple type locks for the hen house so I can use padlocks. Then, unless it has a set of skeleton keys, there will be no way a fox could get into the hens.


Ralph, very bravely approached the hens today:

This is about as close as he will get at the moment.