The quality of the food you consume can only be determined if you know when, where, and how it was produced. In most cases, packaging tells us very little about these facts. Prepared under license for a Canadian company tells us nothing about the actual origin of the ingredients. But, when you produce your own food these facts are obvious. The decision to raise our own laying hens comes from our need to know.                                                                                      My wife and I grew up with all kinds of pets as well as the occasional wild animal our dads rescued. Our pets were provided with shelter, food, and companionship. They became part of our clan. Food, shelter, clean water, freedom to roam and forage, and even friendship are the needs of most animals regardless of whether they are domesticated livestock or our pets. My research tells me that chickens are no different. These were the considerations that guided me in designing a chicken habitat because in May ' the chickens are coming ' and I better have the chalet ready for them.    The shelter or coop will be home for 4-6 heirloom chickens each needing 4 square feet of floor space. I'm feeling a bit generous, hence the 5x8 floor dimensions. I will build a box on stilts; 6'6” of ceiling height because my girls like to perch at 2'-3' and I want to come right inside to visit them. While I'm inside I can maintain the food supply, rob the nests, and apply my janitorial services much more effectively than I could if the coop was limited to the minimum ceiling height. The roosts, a mix of swinging and fixed 2” round dowelings will be spaced to give each bird 12” of elbow room, or should I say wing space. The floor system will be designed to maintain the health of the birds. Ventilation is particularly important during hot summer months. The upper floor will be screen reinforced by a maze of wooden joists.  It will permit manure to fall out of the living quarters and increase airflow to avoid a buildup of ammonia and excessive summer heat. Because the coop is on stilts there will be a 4-6" space underneath. Here I will place catch trays to hold chicken waste.    Winter has different requirements; an insulated exterior and electricity for emergency heat and lighting. Ventilation is still needed but to a lesser degree. Cross draughts are to be avoided, now. The birds will not stay warm if a cold breeze is constantly ruffling their feathers. The screened floor will be covered with plywood for winter, requiring more maid services.  Of course I will also provide an exercise yard and foraging area. Thus a 12’x 12’ fully secured chicken run. This means chain link sides [buried 12” below ground level] and top, all supported by metal pipe or wood framing. Dogs, coyotes, and birds of prey will be stopped here. With the coop and run in place I’ll be ready to receive the little darlings. After several weeks under my watchful eye they can then be released into their new home.    I designed the coop from a variety of sources:  chicken owners, books and the World Wide Web. There are many different designs to choose from ranging from minimalistic to grand palaces. Meeting the needs of whatever animal we choose to raise is a big responsibility, but doing so produces happy and productive animals.  In the months to come I will chronicle the lives of the “ VALLEY GIRLZ”. The Chickens are Coming Preparing for the Girlz  ( April 2010) Having been effectively brainwashed by my “Guidance” teacher in grade 9 and having then maintained the theory and practice of those contraceptive teachings, I find myself childless at the age of 52. I’m not complaining about this path I tread, I am very accepting of it. But I do wonder from time to time whether I have missed out on something special. But alas I may now have the chance to experience something similar to childrearing because the chickens have arrived.    Their first home in our bedroom ensuite was a 20” x 20” x 18” cardboard box, its floor covered with 2” of fine pine shavings and topped with 3 to 4 layers of paper towels. The towels provided the chicks with an even surface upon which to walk to prevent leg deformities that can arise during their first 3-4 wobbly days of life. Cleanliness is very important and the toweling also allows for the quick and complete removal of droppings several times a day. Food and water dishes were washed and sterilized with a little bleach {rinsing well} with the same regularity to prevent bacterium the chance to grow. If you chose non-medicated feed as we did, all these measures become that much more important. A sprinkling of fresh daily greens from a mesclun mix that we planted in April is the highlight of their day.    Since mother is not in the picture we provide the warmth. We began with a 150W light bulb beneath a shroud hung above the box. A thermometer inside the box helped gauge the height to set the lamp. We began with 95 degrees F, which is reduced 5 degrees each week. The yellow fuzz on their bodies offers little insulation. The babies are very sensitive; loud abrupt noises can send the little peeps into distress. Constant talking or a radio station is thought to help desensitize them. Moving your hands slowly when handling them will eventually gain their trust.    At a week of age the paper toweling has already been removed because the chicks are stable on their feet. The layer of pine shavings becomes the new floor surface, absorbing droppings and solid waste. Having become familiar with the food and water, it is time to elevate the dishes to discourage the chicks tendency to walk through it, sleep in it and contaminate it. The food now resides in a dish hung from the wall incorporating a hood or roof to keep the little guys and girls out. Yes I did say guys because our Chanteclers were not sexed. I’m currently taking bets on how many males will step out from the crowd.    At two weeks, it is time to move the darlings from their little box in the ensuite to much larger digs (36” x 36”) in our unfinished addition. Their wings and tail are almost fully feathered. The birds have doubled in size with appetites having increased about 300 percent. The 20 kg bag of Otter Co-Op feed that I quietly questioned upon purchase will disappear sooner than I thought.    Now, at 3 weeks of age the gangly looking teenagers are energetic and feisty and would be quite capable of a successful getaway if presented with the opportunity. Back yard outings in a wire mesh enclosure are a daily event which even our dogs enjoy. It would appear that our border collie has found her mission to protect and herd; our 16 lb Siamese has already been warned.    So far, the project has been relatively simple. Cardboard boxes, light fixture, feeder, water dispenser, thermometer, feed, pine chips, and of course the baby chicks are all available from local suppliers. The ease of one stop shopping at the Horse Barn for our supplies and the excellent quality chicks we received from Cherry Creek Canadians will help make this a successful endeavor.Till next month cock a doodle doo.  The Girlz ( and Boyz) Arrive  ( June 2010 ) The chickens are coming         Preparing for the Girlz The Girlz (and Boyz ) Arrive        A bit of a mixed bag Back to top Back to top A bit of a mixed bag