Tour de Barn

Psst

In the grand scheme of things, I don't think I've ever given an exact layout of our barn. Likely because it's always ebbing and flowing, changing and evolving along with all the right-sizing of the animals. There's a couple of areas that have remained the same over time, one in particular is the chicken coop area. Chickens are like (some) people, they don't do well with change. Since we have an abundance of temporary fencing, we have been able to create temporary areas in the barn for baby lamb birthings, goat holding areas, and spaces needed for shorter periods of time such as Whisper's recovery pen for 3 months, after she had surgery. This, all along with the areas that remain in tact at all times (sheep pen, chicken coop area) make the barn a place of constant - and a place of change - all at the same time. The temporary fencing we purchased upon moving on this property has been one our most valuable investments. It's been set up and taken down more times than I can count. We are the Temporary Fencing Experts. Maybe there's a retirement opportunity in there somewhere.

Where I go, they go

Storage for the fencing is behind the barn, so at any time we can set up and tear down fencing, when needed.











Bugs Not Drugs

A shout out to all 39 chickens for being bug exterminators, snake and mice deterrents (chickens will kill and eat small snakes), table scrap clean up crew, all the while looking like little dinosaurs walking the earth. The chickens have full ability to free range the property - and that they do. But wait, you ask, who puts them to bed at night? They do. They are masters of heading-to-the-house (coop) when dusk arrives. It's just what they do, and they typically go to their same sleeping spot each night. Granted, the ECF (19 remaining experimental chicken farm) hens mostly sleep in the Belle Tower coop we have set up for them there, the 13 old school girlz all sleep in the barn, while the 7 silkies have their own coop set up. Let's take a closer look....

Coop area, with side roosting ladder

Party area, with mirror included

Inside the barn, the chickens have a coop along with fencing setup on sand/dirt whereby they enjoy dust bathing and socializing. This is their favorite afternoon activity, and spend time fluffing their feathers in the dirt to clean themselves all while sharing the latest gossip. We use diatomaceous dirt primarily which helps to repel mites/fleas, among other unwanted pest on the chickens. Then, at dusk the chickens all go to the favorite spot to roost for the night. Many of them roost on top of this fencing in their sand area, while others go into the coop just right next to it. It's a personal preference thing. Our original 13 hens all roost in the barn each night, while the others......

Side quarters for those who need to be alone

Silkie B&B

This coop is just outside the barn and is intended for the 7 silkies, Post (our one and only rooster), Chompchi, Frankie and the 4 Dots (all named Dorothy). This location works well for them, and although all the chickens get along well, we initially separated them while they adjusted to their new home with us. They free range with everyone else. Currently, two of the Dots are sitting on eggs.

One sitting, other out eating

Since those little silkies have a rooster, maybe, just maybe they will hatch some baby silkies. I believe they are on about Day 11 of sitting on their clutch. 21 days is the magic number - and then we'll see if anything is really cooking inside that coop. Wish them cluck!






And then another (non barn) coop is located in the Belle Tower. The ECF girlz roost out here, and call this their home. They, too are friendly with everyone and free range together with all the others. It's one happy family of 39 chickens who happen to go to their own homes each night. This also means looking in all these places for the eggs they lay. And laying eggs are what they are doing!

Nesting boxes are just up the stairs,
and to the right

The Belle Tower is a wonderful size for the ECF hens and it houses them well, providing wind protection, warmth, nesting boxes and a place of their own. All 39 chickens move about the property during the day as if they were at Disneyland playing, eating, moving about freely and being grateful that they do not live in a gated community.

Duck this

Although obviously not in the barn either, is the Duck House. David was able to build this from a pallet frame found at a dumpster, along with supplies we had here at the farm. I love repurposing materials!

The ducks love their little house.
The biggest issue is the guard dogs
eat the duck eggs before we
can get to them.

Get Your Sheep Together

Okay, let's get back to the barn. The sheep pen is one of the main stays in the barn. David has so kindly made signage for the different areas in the barn. Belle, our sweet now-almost 3 yr old, was only 1 day old when she came to us and was bottle fed as if she were our own baby. She was the catalyst for our future sheep acquisitions. Otherwise, if we didn't get her some sheep friends, she might ended up being more like a dog. After all, her best friend was Maybe.

Our little helper

BFF's Best Fur Friends

Even though Belle lived her first couple of months in the house wearing a diaper, we did get her some friends who taught her how to do sheep things. She did eventually move out to the barn with the other ewes, and has since grown into a beautiful ewe who mothered a lamb of her very own. Although Belle never had a sheep mom (besides us) of her own, she was the best mama any lamb could ask for. Just ask Lulu, her one and only baby, thus far.
Currently, we have 4 ewes (Belle, Lulu, Grace, Licorice) and our newly purchased ram, Deuce. We are in the midst of breeding Deuce with the ewes and hoping for some spring lambs.

Notice a deep sea fish theme yet?

There's sweet Grace and Licorice

The Sheep Pen in the barn is large enough for the 5 sheep, along with sleeping accommodations for Levi and Whisper, our LGD's who protect and guard so that everyone is able to be safe and comfortable. The large barn doors can be opened and closed, depending on the weather and wind. We also happen to keep one of the mowers and trailers in their area, too.


Neigh Neigh Hooray!

The horse and goat stall is located in the north west corner of the barn. The miniature horses and goats share this stall as it seems fitting, as they are the most feisty farm animals we have. The goats have their own GoatVille just outside the barn, and you'll often find them perched on top of one of their own little buildings. Yet, the option to come inside the barn is available to them anytime.

Our little three ring circus

Dora and Diego share this nicely with the goats,
most of the time

Diego enjoying the space

This stall in the barn is well protected by a hammerhead shark, and surrounded by bins of feed. Corn, grain, alfalfa cubes along with chicken feed and scratch. Lots of yummy treats to be had. As you can see behind the goats, in the back pasture is also another open barn for them and also where the round bales of hay are placed. Either way, the miniature horses and goats have choices when it comes to their accommodations.









Anything is pawssible

The Tack Room is an all purpose room that houses the cat condos, square bales of hay, other feed, tools, brooms, horse halters/ropes, and just about anything you'd need while out in the barn. The best part about the tack room is it also has access to the second story of it, which is available to the cats and chickens, as a kitty-climber is strategically stationed so that they may go up there. We have more cat condos there for the barn cats, extra chicken feeder supplies and is also where we keep the heated water buckets during the off season. It's a great storage area that has access with a ladder (and kitty climber if you're a chicken or cat).

Blackie sleeps in the far left cat condo,
and happens to have a heated setup for winter
Yes, he's a spoiled barn cat.

Stairs (left) take you to the top of Tack Room.
All purpose table holds cat food/dish.
Yes, the chickens eat the cat food.

Those chickens think they can reach the bird
feeder. It's a long way to the ground,
luckily they can fly.

Cat and chicken access to the top. This bar
is handy when storms come so Whisper
can hide behind it, poor thing.

From a birds eye view (there does happens to be bird feeders, bird houses and birds in the barn) here's the layout:



This panoramic shot is helpful to see all around the barn from left to right: it's the dog and sheep pen, around to the chicken coop area, then far right is the horse and goat stall. All the areas have outside access, as the sheep are in a different pasture than the horses/goats. Yet, everyone can always come in the barn. Everyone has wood name plates designating their areas. This is helpful when visitors are over and ask, Now what was their name?


Being schooled

The barn is not only a place of therapy and retreat, it's my classroom. There's plenty of do overs, lots of sloppy copies in progress, and often times, a sh$tstorm in the making. It is a working barn, a place of learning, love and labor. Animals get loose, get out and chaos ensures. It's usually because the humans have left a gate unlocked, open or mismanaged. Coming home everyday is a surprise. Sometimes good and sometimes not so good. It reminds me of the Life Is Good mantra. Life is good, and when life isn't good, it's still good. Because in the barn, through the chaos and cleaning, there is a bright light that shines through these animals hearts straight into mine. I'll clean up their poop anytime. It's the least I can do.

Did I mention we have a Barn Cam, actually 2 of them. Therefore, I can see what's shaking in the barn from the comfort of my phone so I won't miss moments I'm meant to see. That's a whole nother blog, my friend.

Let's meet here again soon,

Cyndi

Stare down in the barn