Chooks

Here at the Papanui farm we have daily jobs that we have to complete. One of these lovely jobs is tending to the chooks, also known as chickens. Each morning there are five stations of chooks that we must visit, also starting from the youngest and ending with the oldest to prevent spreading any sickness that many be present. At the two youngest areas that are right near the main property we have to feed and water the groups. Them we get to take out the ranger which a little off road atv to visit the other three sites where we must check the feed, water, and calcium pellets. We also have to check the grounds for any eggs on the ground and make sure to pick them up. This is important because if we leave them there it encourages the chooks to lay their eggs on the ground rather than in the laying boxes.

In the evening we return to the three converted buses in the pasture to collect eggs. Each day we collect between one and two thousand eggs per day. It's a quite therapeutic job really and the best part is visiting our favorite guard dogs Sampson and Delilah.

Keep in mind these are just a few of the short and simple tasks that we accomplish each day. For example today we had to feel the feeders where we were up to our armpits in chook feed making sure that it stayed level as it was being poured in. Also delivering six barrels of water, one at a time makes for a lot of driving the trailer back and forth. But it sure does give us enough to e to chat!

More to come!
Until later,
Jes & Brian