We've been in the process of selling our laying hens to our boys. We are doing this because 1) I don't have time to care for them and I'm tired of fussing the boys to do the chores. 2) We are too cheap to pay them allowance so we'll let them earn their own money.
I started to regret this decision when I figured up how much they were bringing in per month but it's too late now to get the hens back.
The ladies have had the run of the farm all winter and our deck, patio, and flower beds bear the proof. Now that our thoughts are turning toward green, the garden, and flowers, it's time to get them under control. I'd rather not have a toddler running barefoot through, well, you know...
I invested in a 164' section of electrified poultry netting and a solar charger/battery. This set up will allow us to place it out in the field once our fabulous egg-mobile is constructed. The fencing is light-weight and easy to move and use. It will keep the chickens (soon to be 100) in and predators out.
When the fencing arrived we decided to go ahead and place it near the permanent coop (soon to be brooder-only) to see if we could begin containing the hens. Once the fence was set up and tested, the hard way, we let the hens out. The experiment was working great until one of the hens got zapped and then all heck broke loose.
Chickens with their flight or flight instinct tend to flock together and flee together. Before we could do anything the entire flock was running head-long into the opposite side of the yard only to get zapped again and so it continued back and forth like a terrible, live pinball game until they decided to go over. All but 4 or 5 hens fled to the pine trees. We turned off the fence and opened all the doors.
The next day was better, a few zaps but no mass hysteria or escapees. We just hope the eggs these last few days will be shockingly good or at least soft cooked..
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