Building another hen house

As the population of chicken grows more hen houses are needed.

We have made a simple frame for the floor from pallet wood.

We found some laminate flooring in the outhouse, cut it to size and taped the underneath to prevent moisture from entering. (We later get told off by Ann, as she had the flooring earmarked for another job.)

The laminate flooring gets screwed onto the base. (Note: Chris is working ;-))

Rather than taking pallets apart we then cut out the boards with a circular saw (thanks to the invention of petrol generators and the founder of "Praktiker" in Germany).

We end up with a nice pile of boards which are free from nail holes and cracks.

Using a tabel saw at a 45° angle the boards are cut either side.

These "rain screen" boards can now be screwed onto the house. Which reminds me: we need a frame first.

First post, cut at a 45° angle at the top.

 The bottom frame is done.

The roof is taking shape and the first boards are up. Due to rain we are working inside the van.

The front boards are going on. There isn't much room in the van so it's difficult to take pictures.

More boards on the front and the roof frame is finished.

The front is all filled in, now to the back.

Day 3 and the sides are now being done. Both will be hinged to allow easy access.

Sides are done and the roof has been covered with odd bits of board to support the roofing felt.

Time for finishing touches. Ann is painting whilst I am working on egg laying boxes and Chris, who lost interest and motivation on day 2, is sleeping.

Branches from our garden make some excellent perches.

Egg laying boxes are in. Ann finishes the felt before the house is moved into the field.

After fitting the automatic door the chickens move in.

Softy

Hans, our new kune kune boar is a big softy.

Here he is putting his head into my hand. If I would let him he would climb onto my lap for a cuddle.

Into the big wide world

After several weeks in the holding pen the piglets are finally moving into their new field.

First we had to strim down the grass in the field for the electric netting. This alone took 2 weeks. Next the fencing was erected. (The white spot in the middle is Chris.)

Some old scrap wood was used to make a station for the battery and the energizer. Originally built by volunteers it was unusable and our son rebuilt it to make it weather proof.

We persuaded Ulla, Gretel and Hans (left to right) into the trailer with a little food where they promptly chewed up the floor.

Coming out of the trailer they didn't need any persuasion. Here is Hans jumping off the side of the ramp.

Ulla is off to inspect the green stuff. Their holding pen didn't have any grass left after 3 days...

There is so much room to run around in.... but only one thing they are interested in...food.

Hey daddy, I found it !

Tastes sooo much better out here.

I am sure there is some more here somewhere....

Wow, what a big water dish !  (We placed stones inside so they don't climb into it.)

See you later dad.

We have plans to extend the fence line by another 50m.