Free Range Flock?
- July 18, 2010
- Category: Daily Diary
- (16) Comments
A recent conversation with Mountain Man:
“Gee, the chicks are getting big. Soon they’ll be going outside and running all over the place.”
“No they won’t.”
“Why? I want them to be able to run around the farm and enjoy life.”
“Well, that’s not happening. First, they will drive the dogs crazy and then there’s predators out there too and you don’t want to find your chickens slaughtered. Believe me, that’s an awful sight. And I know how you are about the animals. No, they have to be contained.”
He’s right. The story he told me of finding all his chickens headless one afternoon brought tears to my eyes. City women who move to the country have lots to learn and one of the hardest lessons has been to learn nature can be cruel.
“I’m going to build you a run. Just be patient. They’re still young.”
Yesterday, on top of all of Mountain Man’s other chores (bush hogging the pasture, clearing the area for our new greenhouse, cooking, running errands and more), he started to build the chicken yard. I had visions of a small yard where the chickens would be looking longingly towards freedom in the pasture but I should have known Mountain Man does nothing on a small scale.
Here’s the start of the new poultry playground:
Hauling out the excavator to start terracing the land:
The boarded up area is where the chicken door will be.
Here’s the door he built with the opening for the chickens at the bottom. It will hinge so I can use it because no way I can fit out that bottom opening.
I thought this terracing job was the end of the project but I was wrong. Mountain Man is hauling in stone to put under the barn so the chickens won’t escape under the foundation and he’s hauling more dirt as well to do some fancy grading work. I should have known he wouldn’t do a project half way.
And while Mountain Man is laboring away in 90 degree heat with 100% humidity, what am I doing? Hanging out with the chicks of course. Here’s a look at our growing babies:
And resting turkey.
Taking a break from eating grass to pose for the camera.
And another of my favorite pictures; basking in the light filtering through the windows.
I know I’m prejudiced but I believe Mountain Man is one in a million.
No, you are absolutely right
Date: July 18, 2010
One in a million? No.
One in a BILLION! What a great guy! Your last photograph reminds me of those Renaissance paintings where the subjects are in a pool of heavenly light surrounded by darkness – really, really cool!
I am having serious barn and farm envy over here, I hope you have a great day!
Date: July 18, 2010
Mountain Man is remarkable! Very cool for your chickens! I’d like a playground for our cats so they could go outside but so I would know they would be safe and not wander off.
Date: July 18, 2010
Well I don’t think you are prejudiced. Looking at all these pictures about what he has accomplished already makes me jalouse! Take care of that man girl
those little chicks are adorable by the way.
Date: July 18, 2010
Blessed is what you are!
Date: July 18, 2010
Wow…those chicks have it GOOD
So funny to see him going all out for them , especially after how he reacted when you told him the news about the new chikies 
This is so cool!!! He really is amazing…and he’s one in a trillion!!!! Love it!!! I can only hope to marry a guy with skills like that someday 
Start praying, Sara!! 
I can’t wait to see what it all looks like once it’s finished. Thanks for sharing those photos. The chicks are so cute!!!..I noticed the baby turkey chicks are starting to get some feathers already 
Have a great week. Lots of love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
Date: July 18, 2010
They are really getting big. I have to admit, that I would have been tempted to let them run free, you know like on the Waltons, but then reality would set in and I would end up attempting to build a place for them. I say attempt, because my carpentry skills leave much to be desired.’I look forward to pictures of the completed chicken run.
Date: July 18, 2010
You have every right to think Mountain Man is the very best. It shouldn’t be any other way.
The chicks are getting big indeed. He’s right about not letting then run around the farm.
Have a terrific day.
Date: July 18, 2010
He sure is.
Date: July 18, 2010
Enjoyed myself……… again. Precious little ones! Come over and see the new video I put up of my 10 newly hatched ducks. Very sweet!
Blessings, Linda
Date: July 19, 2010
I think you are right! And he is right…a run with a top and lots of room to roam, PLUS big enough you can get in there and clean it out as needed.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Date: July 20, 2010
Mountain Man is terrific! I am glad he is knowledgeable enough that the chicks won’t get hurt under the barn. I would have never thought of that! They are so fuzzy and cute. Your place looks beautiful.
Date: July 20, 2010
Mountain Man speaks from experience. He knows all too well that fowl are at the lower end of the food chain and require protection. That little brood of yours is going to be living in the Hilton (or the Ritz) of chicken coops.
They have indeed grown from when you first brought them home.
Date: July 20, 2010
he sounds just like my hubby, who says that any project worth doing is worth overdoing. It drives this former city girl CRAZY sometimes, because I am the “slap it together so we can move on to other things” kind of girl.
Date: July 21, 2010
You might be prejudiced, but you are absolutely right.. he IS one in a million.
I love your chickie pics, and I simply can’t wait to someday have my own guineas and chickens!! (And oh how I would love to add some small ponies and donkeys, and llamas and alpacas to our menagerie!!!!)
Date: July 22, 2010
Love the last photo – and I think maybe he might be one in a billion!
Date: August 21, 2010