Run the Ranch Mom

Like many new ranch owners, we wanted to add chickens to produce our eggs.

We watched tons of shows, YouTube videos, and read blogs. We bought books and blueprints for an elaborate chicken coop. 

Building the coop

As we started working and fixing the barn, we realized that two different coops had been built.  One of the stalls looked like it had been converted at some point in time. A new coop was later built in front of the barn. 

The original idea was to repurpose supplies from the barn to build the fancy coop closer to the house next to the greenhouse. 

We reclaimed the stall as a stall, ripping all the chicken wire out and removing ladders and roost bars.

While working on fixing the barn, we got thinking. Roosters are loud…There could be a lot of flies and smells during the hot months… 

We talked it over and decided that, at this point, it was just simpler to fix up the existing coop.

Yes, it looked scary. Spiders, webs, and wasp nests were all over. It didn’t (still doesn’t) look as pretty as some of the ones on Pinterest, but it is big, and with some elbow grease, it would become functional.

We covered up, picked up brooms, shop vac, hose, and courage, and started cleaning.

Finally, we could see what we were dealing with. 

A window was added for summer ventilation. The boys painted it. I painted the door and nesting boxes.

We put together the run, added extra chicken wire and cinder blocks to make the setup as predator proof as possible.

Mike built a bench and a few sets of roost bars, some made out of branches collected in the field, and others made of bought lumbar. Other than a few pieces of wood and hardware, we were able to just use things left and found in and around the barn and field…

Chicks and ducklings.

See, we started backward…Chicks before the coop…I won’t name names, but someone likes a little heat under his bum. We call that “extra” motivation.

On one of our trips to Tractor Supplies to get supplies for the donkeys, we discovered that the chicks and ducklings had arrived.

We are big suckers for cuteness. Passing by tubs of cute little chirping chicks was a mistake. Add Two super excited boys, doing their best impression of Puss in Boot, and I just heard myself say to the lady: “2 of Each, please!” …” Including the duckling!”…

I knew we had most of the “stuff” (heat lamps, baby gate, tub, coop…). So, we just picked up feed, feeder, water dispenser, and bedding chips…

List of Supplies for brooding chicks:

(At least for the first few weeks)

• Large container ( large plastic tub works great)
• Bedding wood chips (larger)
• Water dispenser
• Feed dispenser
• Heat lamp or pad
• Chick Feed
• Chicks 🐥

List of supplies for brooding ducklings:

• Large container to be upgraded to a play pen/ kiddy pool
• Bedding chips (lots..they are messy)
• Water bowl
• Food dispenser
• Heat lamp or pad
• Feed
• Ducklings

Warning! Ducks grow much faster than chicks. They are also messier… but so much more endearing 😍 

The ducks are clumsy. Their round beaks are not as scary as those of the rooster or the boss hen.  

We learned fast that they each have their personalities. 

For a little while, we raised everyone together, ducklings and chicks but soon separated the ducks from the chicks as they were growing much larger and faster than the chicks.

At first, we had the lot in the garage. We had to be careful and double-check for the cat, hoping he was not left hiding. Then we got worried that opening and closing the garage door was a problem. We were concerned with a sudden change in temperature, potential rats or snakes or who knows what…?

Finally, the coop was ready, and with the weather warming up, we decided it was time to move them to the rehabbed chicken coop, now upgraded with its run and automatic door.

Within a few weeks, we decided to let them free-range. Leaving the run door open during the day, closing it at sundown after a row call. 

Free ranging

Nervous at first, we soon realized that the chickens were pretty disciplined and would get back in the run on their own before night. The ducks…Not so much…we ALWAYS had to push a few in…They always seemed to miss the last call and get locked out of the coop.

Four of the hens have names. You already know about Clarice, then we have Oreo, Sexy, and Hotty.

Sadly, Sexy and Hotty were the first ones to encounter predators: a skunk and a possum. Then, we lost one of our leghorns to a chicken hawk.

Slowly, we are adding to our setup. Mike built a rain collector barrel, complete with watering cups.

We experimented with different types of feeders and found that a plastic tub equipped with feeding cups works best for us. The chickens get to help recycle a lot of our table and kitchen scraps as well.

We scoop their poop from under their roost bars every other day. To make it easy, I keep a bucket and scooper by the entrance of the coop. We replace all the straw and wood chips once a month. Everything gets added to the compost pile.

The coop is well-ventilated for summer. We leave their window open. They also get to roam free all day long. They hide in the barn during the hot time of the day. The rest of the time, I see them pecking in the field around the donkeys.

For winter, we close the window and reduce the airflow. We bought a heated water dispenser for very cold days. It seems that when the temperature drops below freezing, none of us like to handle ice blocks.

If needed, we also have a heater and heat lamps.

With Spring around the corner, the boys are talking about setting up an incubator. They want to try to raise our own chicks. This will be a fun new experience for everyone.

But for now, back to the ducks! Up soon: At Last! Free from the rooster’s rules! The ducks get a new home!