Chickens!

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 24 Mar 2014, 12:03

Well, they're on their way..

- Coop built
- Water dispenser, etc. procured
- Bedding and feed organised
- Leccy fence arriving tomorrow
- 1st "target area" for ground processing identified

Chickens arrive Friday!

Can't tell you how excited we are.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 27 Mar 2014, 10:14

C-day minus one. Fence up and working. They arrive tomorrow morning.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 30 Mar 2014, 23:09

They're here. Took 24 hours before they'd come out of the coop. Trauma of the 20 mile journey in the back of a pickup I suppose. We encouraged them out yesterday morning and they went straight to work, pecking, sifting, rooting and scratching!

They seem to like it so much they don't want to go back in at night, which is a challenge. No eggs yet, but they're only 16 weeks.

Labrador tested the electric fence on Friday morning and pronounced it working with a loud yelp! No sign of Monsieur Renard yet.

nexus · Post by **nexus** » 31 Mar 2014, 18:37

Pictures please....

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 02 Apr 2014, 18:01

..As requested:

New labour force, hard at work

This one appears to be the self-appointed foreman

Anti-fox gear

They seem to be settling in. Happy to take themselves to bed at sunset. Visible difference to the ground already. Prolific sh*tters (which is good), no eggs yet.

tpals · Post by **tpals** » 02 Apr 2014, 22:01

How long will the battery keep the fence running?

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 02 Apr 2014, 22:20

About a month or so, according to the specifications. I guess it will depend on how diligent we are at keeping grass and weeds aways from the lower netting, as this will provide a current drain to earth, shortening the battery life.

As you might be able to see from the pics, I've "mulched" under some of the areas of fence with plastic bin-bags to keep the fence insulated. The very bottom strand s non-electrified, so this helps.

I have two batteries, and will swap them over, charging one while the other is on the fence. (The one being charged doubles as an emergency power supply at the house, in conjunction with a small inverter).

nexus · Post by **nexus** » 03 Apr 2014, 19:46

Nice set up Tarrel- you'll have eggs aplenty in no time

lancasterlad · Post by **lancasterlad** » 03 Apr 2014, 20:02

I have the same Energiser - it's a solid bit of equipment. Very pleased with it. I also have two of those batteries - they are working well. I'm running 3 strands of tensioned electric fencing in two pig paddocks - the total length of wire is about 750m I think and the battery lasts two or three weeks. I have the spare on charge ready.

I have fitted an inline switch so paddock A, B or A and B can be energised. Seriously thinking about a lightning arrestor though.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 03 Apr 2014, 21:43

How does the lightning arrestor work, and what are the implications of not having one? Does it protect the energiser, for example?

BTW, we're picking up another four on Saturday

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 09 Apr 2014, 23:15

Picked up the other four as planned. They merged with the rest of the flock nicely. Ravenous appetites, but not laying yet. Clearing the ground well though.

Tarrel · Post by **Tarrel** » 30 Apr 2014, 21:31

Well, we're five weeks in. I'm generally pleased with the way things are working out. We are getting around 6-7 eggs a day at the moment. Succeeded in selling 3 boxes last weekend, and we've given some in exchange for straw bedding from a neighbour.

The ground within the fenced area is now bare ground, and we have a nice pile of "clearing out" from the coop which I have been adding to and turning each week.

I think we'll move them on to pastures new next week. I already have an area in mind which I've cleared of trees. We'll be putting alder and willow in there over the winter.

We have four "flyers" who do a good job of escaping over the netting. Hopefully this will stop when we move them into the new, greener space.