CHICKEN PROJECTS

This weekend’s projects were geared toward the chickens.

First, the new feed and water containers I purchased were cleaned, assembled and filled. The previous units had finally broken down after three years of constant exposure to the weather: they were held together by duct tape.

Since the new containers hold more food and water than the old ones, I won’t need to fill them as frequently. The feeder holds about a half bag of feed so I will only have to fill it about twice a month, instead of twice a week. The waterer will be fine for three or four days before needing to be refilled.

The water container came with drinking cups, which I don’t like – they tend to get dirty and slimy. So, we transferred the two chicken nipples from the old container for the time being and have a pack of new chicken nipples winging their way from Amazon.

The other project was for the Chicken Tractor. (Click the link to read about that feat and to see the final product.)

It may have taken too long to build the Chicken Tractor, but it sure did serve the purpose for which it was designed. The chickens were able to have a new patch of grass every day or so (while the grass received complimentary fertilization) and they were kept safe while they “free ranged”. Bonus point: they stayed out of my garden.

The big problem with the Tractor was that it is too heavy for me to move on my own. It was a struggle to move even with both Oscar and I pulling. So, we parked it for the winter while I considered what to do.

I determined what I needed was a set of wheels at the front of the Tractor, to help carry and balance the weight of the tractor.

The solution I decided upon was to purchase a ChickLift. 

I knew about the ChickLift when I made plans to build the Chicken Tractor but was not willing to pay the price to buy one. However, when I compared what I would have to spend to re-create the original wheels (not counting the anguish involved with getting them built and installed), suddenly the price tag didn’t seem so bad.

Oscar installed it to the front of the Tractor this weekend and, just like that, Grandma can move the Chicken Tractor all by herself!

Mission accomplished.