New Roosts for the Chickens and New Turkeys at the Farm
As you know from reading this blog, there are many, many trees that fell at my farm in Bedford when a twister came through and the cleanup has been extensive. Alfredo, one of the workers at the farm, designed some really great roosts for the chicken coop last year from another fallen tree. We thought it would be a good idea to replace those roosts with new ones. Also, to add to my poultry population, there was a recent delivery of new turkeys. These are beautiful heritage breeds, including Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, and Black Spanish. They were hatched at Murray McMurray Hatchery and spent the first part of their lives at my friend and neighbor, Michael Steinhardt’s, estate. I’ll keep you posted on how they adjust and grow.
1 Alfredo chose a fallen tree that had many branching limbs.
2 This is one of two uprights for the roost.
3 Now he is sawing the cross piece.
4 Alfredo is very strong! This is 'live' timber with lots of moisture.
5 He is now trimming off-shoots.
6 To create bases for the uprights, Alfredo saws discs from a larger tree.
7 As you can see, there is a lot of wood to choose from.
8 Preparing to attach the bases in the equipment barn
9 Positioning the screws
10 Next, he screws the base onto the upright.
11 All attached
12 Down at the chicken coops, Alfredo removes the old roosts that he made a year ago. Notice how the bark has worn away?
13 A curious chicken wonders where the roost went.
14 Setting the new roost into position
15 Setting the cross piece
16 Affixing it to the ground with a stake
17 A couple of these will hold it in place.
18 Alfredo made a total of eight new roosts.
19 Happy chickens - happy roosters!
20 That same day, I received a delivery of six young turkeys from my friend, Michael Steinhardt's estate.
21 Jason, from Steinhardt's, is emptying the crate.
22 There are two of each - Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, and Black Spanish. I hope they'll be happy here.
23 They share a yard with the Pomeranian geese. So far, so good!
This is a fatastic idea.. and will definnitely try it tommorro! I love the way you always come up with some fantastic ideas. The chicken run looks fantastic too!
http://www.meandmartha.net
I hope the turkeys do well.. those looks like some tough ducks.
Dan Viger
Hollis Center, Maine.
Posted by: D viger | August 9th, 2010 at 12:44 am
That is an excellant idea to use the fallen trees for roosts. Back in the day, when I was just a little girl, we used to use limbs for roosts, also, but...ours wern't as fancy as yours. And, they were always inside the chicken house. The chickens ran free during the day.
As one of my dreams...if I live long enough...is to have chickens, again, I'll keep your idea in mind for my chickens.
Keep sending the good ideas out to us.
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 9th, 2010 at 1:21 am
I am very pleased to see that the chickens, turkeys and geese have so much room to live in. It made me think about where my Thanksgiving turkey may be living right now. I always buy mine from a trusted organic farm. Hope he or she is happy too. And here's a thought, how come we don't eat turkey eggs? At my local store you can get hen's eggs, tiny quail eggs, pretty coloured duck eggs, snowy white goose eggs, and even really big ostrich eggs. I must find out why.
Posted by: Christian / @vfbr2001 | August 9th, 2010 at 1:35 am
Making roosts for the chickens and roosters out of your trees that were damaged was a very clever idea. Good job.
Posted by: Karen Tracy | August 9th, 2010 at 7:28 am
how inventive! waste not, want not...
Posted by: liisamarja | August 9th, 2010 at 7:41 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 9th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Hi Martha,
Nice new roosts - I could use one by the pool for when my 'pet' egret stops by for a visit. Can I borrow your nice saw? I only have a reciprocating one which isn't bad for cutting smaller branches but it takes too long on the bigger ones. Thanks for picture #13 of the 'curious chicken' - it made me laugh!
~
I just checked out Kevin Sharkey's blog where he posted many of your new products at Macy's. I must look into the Leaf towels and the Bamboo bath accessories. Very nice! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Tree limbs make excellent roosts ... somehow it seems more natural, seeing a row of bantams or big poultry perched on an old tree limb or sapling felled in a storm.
Posted by: Eliza B. | August 9th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Hi Martha, I just love seeing the terrific projects that your fantastic crew members get involved in making there on your farm! Alfredo did a fabulous job making 8 new roosts for your wonderful chickens and they sure look happy trying out the new roosts! Will he make them for the new turkeys and the geese? These photos were really great and the weather looks good, also. Have a great day. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 9th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Very clever and impressive use of the fallen trees. Would you please put the detailed instructions on how to build this type of roost in a separate 'how to' section? Thanks for sharing this with us Martha.
Posted by: Sonya | August 9th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
What a great idea for the use of fallen trees and limbs!! They look like very happy chickens. Congrats on your new turkeys. I just love the royal palm turkey. It has the most gorgeous velvet brown feathers (when they are all grown up).
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | August 9th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Well Martha, it seems as if your farm staff is just as creative as your MSLO staff!
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Very eco-friendly way to incorporate your fallen trees and I agree with Eliza B - much more natural to see a tree limb as a roost than any other material!
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The way your new turkys are huddled together, you can almost hear them say 'It's us against them'!
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I would also like to know what you will do with the turkey eggs - will you use them to hatch more turkeys?
Posted by: Donna | August 9th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
the roosts are lovely, but I must admit to falling in love with the concrete? water basin... was the mold created by hand?
Posted by: kira | August 9th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Hello, Martha, and very Happy Belated Birthday wishes to you!
Admiring all of your lovely pictures of the farm and animals!
In following up on our conversatino at Costco, I was wondering if you would soon have Patti Strand on your show? Patti is THE voice of animal welfare. She has some great information to share with you and your guests.
I notice you have a photo of a Dalmation on your "Pets" section of your website. Patti knows everything aout Dalmations!
Love seeing all that you are up to, and so glad to hear that your birthday was such a fun-filled day of celebration.
Many happy returns!
Connie B and the Papillons, Rusty and Bliss
Posted by: Connie B | August 9th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I hope the chickens & the new turkeys love their new roosts. Haven't seen a twister but had our share of hurricanes when we were living in Southeast Texas.
Posted by: maureen | August 9th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Thank you for sharing this. Coincidentally I was planning on making my pet hens a new indoor roost and one for their enclosure tomorrow. I really like the natural look, and I think the birds will like perching on a structure with bark. Chickens are just the best!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 9th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
My late father was an avid wooden hull sailor his entire life. He crossed the pacifc solo at age 71! He would have loved nothing better than to race during the day, followed by a lovely party. Thank you.
Posted by: Jamie | August 10th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Boy, your chickens and roosters and everybody looks well taken care of...and I love the use of the fallen trees. Did you see my post of a week or two ago about using the fallen trees for sculpture and then to auction the item off for charity? Great pics. Thanks Martha.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 10th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I have always had chickens. They went in and out of their house at will to range over our 103 acres. But a rash of owls, hawks, coyotes, and raccoons wiped me out while recuperating from a shattered leg from a cow attack. This summer my husband and I witnessed a family of red tailed hawks that raised two hawks in a large tree from our back porch. It has been a joy to watch the two infants as they learn to fly from tree to tree and squeal at each other. We could enjoy them without the dread of them seeking out any chickens.
Posted by: Patricia Baker | August 10th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I am glad and hope others who view your blog notice the eye protection safety gear your staff is wearing. However, I would think it is equally important to wear at least safety goggles when using a drill. I know OSHA is stressing the reminders that safety is UTMOST in the workplace --- Especially when using electric tools and sharp implements. Not to nitpick-- but are those the Right glove for the right job -- I mean we are dealing with potential splinters and a simple cloth glove with non slip finger tips I don't think so. Also, those roosts look as if they could weigh a fair amount and expecting only one person to lift an awkward load that weighs more than 70 pounds without assistance is folly.
Posted by: kathleen | August 11th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I love to see the animals on your farm.
Your love of all animals has inspired me to have chickens myself.
I would like to ask 2 questions:
1 - what kind of chicken wire is on the enclosed area? it looks different from regular chicken wire
2 - how do you keep water for the Pomeranian geese? Do you use a tub or is there a special watering hole in their yard?
thank you Martha - love to read your blogs.
Posted by: michael | August 12th, 2010 at 6:55 pm