The Gibbston Triangle

In high school geography I was taught many things including the basic principles of rotational grazing, and that when calculating stocking rates four sheep equal one cow (which is one stock unit).  It all seemed very logical. 

I did well in my geography exams, but now many years later I can't quite equate the text book theories to real life.  We must have covered rotational chicken housing and pig proofing fences somewhere in those classes.

Still, I think most farmers have a series of sensibly shaped paddocks to work around.  We're operating in the Gibbston Triangle.

At the first corner of the triangle is Our Home, with housing for Abu the Rooster and his five lovely Light Sussex ladies.  Until a few days ago it also accommodated Figgy the flighty bantam and her four foster chicks.

Sitting at the second corner is The Farm.  Here we've negotiated temporary housing for the kune kune piggles who are bravely attempting to eat their way through acres of long grass.  Also at the farm is a chicken run.

Finally,at the third corner of the triangle sits The Vineyard.  This is home to The Winemaker and his family,  a small flock of spoilt sheep and will soon be a permanent home for the piggles. Under construction at The Vineyard is a penthouse chicken coop delux.

The three corners are only a few kilometres apart in the gobsmackingly beautiful wine growing region of the Gibbston Valley. This is an amazing place to have a crack at being a part-time farmer.

Problem is, I bought a second bantam hen and eight, week old chicks off Trade Me.  When we picked them up I was given a six week old frizzle rooster.  The bantam instantly tried to peck him to death, so he travelled part of the journey home on my knee as I thought he looked lonely sitting in a massive cardboard box by himself.

The plan is for this new bantam and six of the chicks to go live in the penthouse coop delux with The Winemakers family. Her other two chicks will be carefully introduced into my mob. Since the penthouse is slightly behind its projected building schedule (winemakers are shocking at time management), the bantam and all her chicks have been moved into Figgy's regular accommodation.  Figgy and family have been temporarily shifted to the chicken run at The Farm - which will hopefully lower the grass height to a more reasonable level.

The wee frizzle rooster has proved a bit more of a challenge.  You see he's very sociable and full of confidence.  Considering that he's less than 15cm tall and his feathers curl up like he's been blowdried backwards - you have to admire his attitude.  The bantam flies at him through the chicken mesh if he's anywhere near her, while Abu and his ladies alternate between ignoring him and chasing him around the run.

Last time I checked he was doing well, but it's been raining heavily so everyone is cooped up inside. Hopefully he won't be scared physically or psychologically before the rain stops. 

What I've learnt today:
1. Six foot high deer fencing won't keep a bantam hen in a run if she's determined to escape.
2. No matter how well you secure the gates of the piggles paddock, they'll find a way to go explore the farm.