Chickens on House Arrest

We've been busy out here on the property, and settling back into a rhythm that doesn't involve constant watering. For over two weeks, the chickens haven't been let out to range because the call of ripening concord grapes has just been too much for them. A couple weeks ago I could still let them out for very supervised range, as seen below. The posts to the left mark out where I would let them range, right by our compost area where the grapes Andrew planted this spring are about two feet tall.

Below is that pricey chicken treat that they will do anything for. This is what I had to throw down in thrifty handfuls to keep the chickens out of the grapes. There are sunflower seeds, peanuts, grains, raisins, and dried carrots and tomato pieces...they always pick out the peanuts first.

It's still important that they do their dust roll (as pictured below) so I'll be putting in a pan with loose dirt in their tractor extension soon.

And here is one of the goldies in mid scratch, probably looking for some of the pricey bribe chicken treat that may have been missed.

I can't let them out around the house anymore until the grapes are harvested. They are just grape crazy. This is unfortunate for them because the grapes are 6 to 8 weeks away from harvest. However, Andrew is planning some more permanent husbandry (a pen and additional coop for a couple meat chickens next year) and I am planning a crazy scheme in the mean time so stay tuned. I'll leave you with this picture, taken the night of the last "exercise" period the goldies had, and yes, this bit of rain missed us too.