We got this bright idea to fence in the western side of the lil’ coop’s yard, to make a “back yard” of sorts for the chickens. It wouldn’t take too much to do and we could make it so that we can close it if we don’t want them back there. It’s a little area that is sort of a no man’s land with the way to fenced for the sheep and all. Lush grass and overhead pine trees, a nice safe area for them to graze in since they have pretty much eaten everything in the main yard.

So with some chicken wire and tiewraps and a couple well placed posts, we got busy and got ‘er done.

All the little pullets that we added to the lil’ coop a week ago, lined up on the window seat to watch us as we worked. It was pretty funny. They are cute little dickens. All really nice and tame.

Jessy cut out the section of the back fence that we can open up or bend back if we want to limit their access. Don’t let her kid you, she does like chickens… just at a distance! haha….

Since Silver is the main roo in the lil’ coop, he had to be the first to check it out. He wasn’t sure, but hey, he’s a brave soul…

The funny thing is that all the little young birds, the pullets, they all are enjoying the back yard. You can hardly see them in the tall grass and they are having lots of fun out there. They run out and back and just seem to really enjoy it. The older birds think it’s evil. Even with bread you can barely lure them out. They will dash in, grab a piece of bread and then dash back to the safety of the main yard! It’s a hoot to watch them. Silly birds.

And a couple days ago, on Saturday, Jessy heard all this strange crowing and alarm calling of the hens. She’s very alert to weird going’s on in the farm yard. Well, I went out to check and then we realize that somehow Silver had gotten OUT of the yard, and was trying to get back into the main yard by walking on top of the hawk netting! It was so funny. He was strolling across the netting as the hens all fretted underneath. I really wonder if they thought he was walking on air above them or what. He looked like a rooster on a trampoline! I had to take a few tries to nab him, but he went peaceably! He’s really very tame but I think he was having fun walking around on the netting.

As with all things fowl… change is not generally accepted easily, but I predict that the older hens will figure it out eventually. They go back and look through the fence and consider it often. And they will duck out for a moment or two and eat some grass and scratch for bugs, but then they rush right back inside their safety net at the drop of a hat. They know they have it good in there!!!