Living in front of an operational dairy has many ups and downs. The good side, plenty of free cow poo for the organic gardens, beautiful sunrises, sunsets and not much traffic( apart from the tractor, motorbike and cows lowing). On the downside, there is the wiffy smell of cow poo, multitudes of flies and mozzies, dirt roads and the fact that my poor chooks are no longer allowed to freerange. It is understandable when you know the legalities and health regulations involved in dairy farming. However, since Elvis the rooster and his harem have now begun to escape the house yard by jumping fences, the time arrived where the landlord asked in stern tones for them to be kept under control. What to do? EBAY to the rescue, long searches and big decision made. I found a great kit form chookpen. It comes with a big removeable backdoor, slide out dirt tray, nesting boxes and perches. Then entire yard section is enclosed and eagle proof. So, I waited with anticipation for it to arrive. One week, two weeks, then finally at the end of the third week two large boxes are dropped off on my front verandah. It was like christmas morning tearing the packaging open to inspect the goodies within. The three of us layed out the panels on the front lawn, correlating pieces that went together and trying to make sense of those irritating, inadequate instructions that always seem to accompany flat pack goods. A few hours of shuffling pieces and cursing the person who typed said inadequate instructions, the housing section was complete and ready to move into place. That done. Luke and Mark began the next stage, putting up the pen sections, the little ladder for the hens to go to bed at night and then last but not least add the food tower and water bowl, so we could release the hens. Now, moving chickens should be an easy task and usually it is. Just wish someone had told my chooks, especially Elvis the now very agitated rooster. He really hates us handling his harem. Not to worry, we'll get him last. By the time the hens are ensconsed in the new chookmahal, Elvis has quite a paddy up..it actually took us almost an hour to catch the demon rooster. Note my love for this creature is immense, my tolerance however is declining. Job done, gate locked, we all looked at each other and declared stumps. Time for a good wash and hot coffee.
SCORE: Me 1.....Chooks 0
