Hello from the farm,
We had new arrivals yesterday. Two flocks of newbie ISA Browns joined the farm, which is always a slightly chaotic but very exciting event. We now have 2000ish hens ready for the busy winter ahead.
They've moved straight into their new chicken caravans (we have 4 of them now), set up to make life as straightforward as possible (for everyone involved).
From the outside the chicken caravans look fairly simple. But inside, it's innovative automation that keeps things running smoothly. They're solar-powered and run by a small computer called a Chicken Master, which handles the doors, lights, anemometer and nest boxes. Everything runs on its own - sunrise and sunset. With wind sensors onboard, even when the weather turns, the caravan looks after itself.
The hens, of course just get on with the job, which is exactly what we're hoping for.
But there is one catch...
Because they were shed-raised, we have to teach the new girls to roost. So for the next four nights, we go out after dark to lift them up into the caravan and tuck them into bed. Each night, fewer need help. By night five, they've worked it out.
