My Nova Scotia Country Chicken Adventure Begins!!

It's been just over a year since we packed up our trailer, dog Loki, cat Jazz and drove 10 days across Canada in record cold January weather towards our new dream home in Nova Scotia. It wasn't easy leaving behind the people we love.....and for me of course....my girls. But, we knew in our hearts we were moving toward our dream home on an acerage where I could have even MORE chickens....YAY!!

Today was a very "eggciting" day. I met my new babies for the first time at my friend Victoria's beautiful farm. They were born April 28th, not ready to come home with me yet and also to young to be sexed. I want to ensure I have hens. I've missed my girls so much......their sweet vocalizations, funny antics and yes.....their friendship.

As my amazing builder and friend Ed lives in Alberta building our Urban Coops. I didn't have anyone to build my Nova Scotia coop. So, I purchased an old pig shed and moved it to our acerage. A bit of elbow grease, fresh paint to match my garage.....it looks adorable!!

Country hen raising is far different to urban keeping. Firstly, there are many ground and air predators from bobcat to fox, racoon, bear, eagles and even mink. My coop has to be 100% predator proof. Luckily it's extremely sturdy as it housed a huge pig for many years. But, there are a few access points that need to be reinforced to ensure my girls safety. I'll be adding some ventilation, a chicken door to the outside, roosts and egg boxes. I won't be insulating this coop as the climate here is very temperate with the odd winter day of minus 15-20, very little snow and hot humid summers. Definately not the same challenge of Alberta winters.

I will also likely free range the girls. Trying to fence them in will be too difficult, although I may build a contained outdoor space to allow some control when needed. The added benefit of free ranging; they will eat their weight in ticks. lyme disease is a serious problem here due to the milder climate. I may even consider adding Guinea Hens which are very popular here for their appetite for ticks. The only problem is; they tend to wander, are very vocal (guard dog vocal) and tend to be easy prey.

I've posted some photos below of my new babies and pig shed pre and post-adorable coop. I'll keep you posted on my Country Chicken Adventure.

Nicola@#urbancoops

My new girls.....I wonder how many are boys. less boys equals....more girls for Nicola! :)

Pig Pen.....pre adorable paint job!

Pig pen......Adorable chicken coop!!