chicken tractor, chicken run

[kirkcudbright]

Last fall, when we set up the chicken house and yard, one of us (okay, it was me) convinced the other to use half 2×4s posts (nominal 2×2s, actually 1½"×1½"), cemented into the ground at 6' intervals. This might have been okay, but we had aviary netting on the roof as well as the walls. This might have been okay, but there were no structural cross-members on top, so we ran wire across the top of the posts to keep the roof from sagging across the 8'×24' span of the yard, creating just a bit of inward tension. This might have been okay, but aviary netting is thick for strength, and consequently does not shed snow as readily as flimsy netting. This might have been okay, but it wasn't. See figure 1.

We shored it up as best we could, and that lasted until the ground thawed last month, but the time came for action. One of us (okay, it was Francie) finally convinced the other to go with full 2×4 framing, assembled in 8' sections, so that every other stud was doubled up with one from the next section. With top bars, occasional diagonal braces, and standoffs from the chicken house. The ground is fairly uneven (one reason we went with posts in the first place), so we spent a lot of time doing what the road building guys call “cut and fill.” Dig, rake, stomp, level, adjust, hammer, hammer, hammer, paint, until the mosquitos come out. Too tired to go to the massage party. I repeat: too physically beat to go get a massage. Remains to do: more painting, then tack the netting back up.

Meanwhile, the ladies hung out in their portable enclosure, a.k.a. the chicken tractor. We put it in the garden, so they can eat the weeds and scratch for grubs, but we moved it onto the lawn for some shade.

Finally, our great find from the cut and fill excavation. Back from the days when the year of issue was stamped right into the license plate.

Comments

[weegoddess.livejournal.com]

That license plate is so COOL!! I wonder if the rust could be removed without the whole thing disintegrating?

Sorry you missed the massage party, but there wasn't much actual massage going on due to the extreme warmness of the evening. Folks mostly hung out on the porches and chatted. It was really nice and low-key.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

Hey there, it was good to finally meet you at the soiree last night. Would you mind if I added you, you seem like a very interesting soul, and horse talk is always welcome. -Perseus :-)

[kirkcudbright.livejournal.com]

Sure, you don't need to ask before friending or un-friending. Gotta warn you there's not much horse talk here, though I did have a very nice ride on Sunday (for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long).

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

Cool ... it's a great way to keep in touch at the very least.

I am beginning the long search, think I am going for what I've long wanted, a Friesian gelding, for my theatrical horse dreams.