A safe, comfortable place for the ladies to lay
By Gina Spadafori
April 30, 2008
The chickens’ yard isn’t done yet, but should be tomorrow. They’re not laying many eggs yet, but I figure they’re still a little shaken up by being moved and thrown in with strangers (three hens came from one place and three from another) and also dealing with those wolves who keep wandering around. The final area is double-fenced, the chicken yard fenced within the garden’s fencing. The hens should feel much more secure there, even though my dogs don’t seem that interested in a self-serve chicken dinner.
Since I’m putting in a chicken run, I’m having the entire garden area reconsidered, with new raised beds. Yes, I’m a little late on this, but spring is always busy with book deadlines. My veggies should already be in but won’t be until next weekend at the earliest. The men have been working on clearing out the garden area, and the framing for the chicken yard is in. They should wrap up the chicken yard tomorrow, but I’m going to think about the garden beds for a few days. I want to get them in just the right place to last for a long time.
The chicken yard is 6 feet wide by 18 feet long. The two narrow-set posts in the picture (click to see it larger) are where the gate will be. The entire garden area is about 20 feet by 30 feet, with the beds to be arrayed in an L-shape around chicken yard.
Between fresh, free-range eggs and veggies, we should all be eating well this summer.
When I bought this house six years ago, it was because I wanted a garden, a real garden, and some pet chickens. Finally, I think I will have both. The garden area is a tiny part of my lot, which is funny, because the yard at my old house wasn’t much larger than the garden area in this one.
Meanwhile, Ilario (a/k/a Larry) couldn’t be settling in better. He’s a brave and athletic little kitten, and he’s very interested in graduating from the office to the rest of the house. I’m taking it slowly, though, to give Clara time to adjust. She’s doing well with him, why push it? Within a week or so, I figure he’ll be everywhere, and I hope in time the two cats will be close.
Right now, Larry’s sitting on my shoulder as I type. He’s going to be a big kitty. (Picture added!)
Don’t you just love spring!
I’m in the process of converting most of my flower/perennial beds to herbs and vegetables. We just cleared an area to plant some fruit trees in, are planting grapevines to grow up the tall posts that support our hillside deck/balcony and plan to replace the shrubbery along the front of the house with blueberries and bush cherries.
No chickens yet. Since I get eggs from next door and fresh, organic, free-range meat from a friend and training client (doG I LOVE barter!) it hasn’t been a priority. Ah, but there really is nothing like the lovely sound of a flock of contented hens…..
Comment by Janeen — April 30, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Will the run be covered? We have owls, hawks, and raccoons. They all love a free chicken dinner.
I’ve had springs where I haven’t had the time to get a full garden in. I picked four or five vegetables I couldn’t live without. I chose low maintenance ones like chard, potatoes, tomatoes and zucchini. That way, I still had produce even though I didn’t have enough time to get it all done.
Congratulations on your backyard farm. I hope more people in this country begin to see the value in this.
Comment by C.L.H. — May 1, 2008 @ 7:15 am
Yes! It’s completely enclosed.
I’m calling it my Chicken Victory Garden! Local, fresh, food, no imports, no driving for it, no fossil-fuel fertilizer, etc.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — May 1, 2008 @ 7:21 am
My husband is anxious to start his garden, but the forecast for today is rain and snow.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — May 1, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Funny, “Victory Garden” was exactly what I was thinking of. My grandparents always had gardens no matter what the circumstances. So did my parents. My paternal grandmother also kept chickens in a suburban setting. How did we get so far from what just makes sense? I told someone I’ve been a member of the “slow food movement” ever since I was old enough to hold a hoe. It wasn’t a “movement” then, just common sense.
Comment by C.L.H. — May 1, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Even if you don’t get your full garden in this spring, Sacramento’s winters are kind to fall-planted crops like peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, turnips etc.
Comment by CarolPW — May 1, 2008 @ 9:47 am
How raised are your beds going to be?
We’re working on 2 foot high boxes this year, but the bottom will still be the ground…covered with newspaper. (We’re in PA so we have a little bit more time before safe planting)
I’m curious to see if our pup will be interested at all in the garden.
Comment by Lori — May 1, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Little Larry who will be Large Larry looks like he is puzzled about the strings he has come upon.
I have enjoyed seeing his picture, as always.
It will be fun seeing Clara and Larry in a duo picture—someday, too soon now.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — May 1, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
Interesting. Some friends of mine got chickens this year. I wish I could do that, too, but I have no idea how I’d get chicken-sitters when I travel.
Comment by Elaine — May 1, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
When I bought my farm 4 years ago, sadly the old barn that connected to the house had been torn down long, long ago. If it were still here, I’d have chickens and a handful of ewes with nice handspinning fleeces, kept separately to keep the fleeces clean. Sheep are messy enough as it is without chickens contributing! The chickens would also have to be kept safe from my dogs. Seeing your beloved IG leap in the air and bring down a full sized rooster that’s almost as big as he is may be impressive, but it’s quite distressing for both the IG owner and the chicken!
Your Chicken Victory Garden is going to be grand. The girls are going to love their new estate!
I have to restrain myself from planting anything until Mother’s Day weekend at least, although the Rule of Thumb is to wait until Memorial Day.The past 2 nights we have had frost. I hope my peach blossom buds didn’t get damaged!
Good luck with your backyard farm!
Comment by Deb — May 2, 2008 @ 3:49 am
Ilario is muy fabuloso. And those FEET. Did you set out to adopt a puma, or did it just happen?
Marmalade boys are the sweetest cats ever. (Except when it comes to chickens, of course…) :)
Comment by LauraL — May 7, 2008 @ 9:11 pm