44 Comments
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Regis Tremblay's avatar

You are killing me, Slavsquat. For a guy who was raised in sunny California and lived a decently easy life, you have won my eternal admiration for your ability to adapt to that rural environment. Your construction skills vastly exceed any ability I have! Thanks for the Institute updates and all the laughs. Can't wait for the nest episode. But, we are all waiting to see photos of the boss, Ekaterina. OH, and bringing up the little guy there is amazing.

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Bob - Enough's avatar

We are talking chickens and building their home.... wait until he shows us the toilet - dug hole in back yard !?, plus plus plus !!!!... LOL.

PS Loved this article.

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Mark Alexander's avatar

The Chickenhof compares very favorably with the Peterhof Palace shown briefly in the video. I was there in 1971 and my first thought was, "This would be a great place for chickens."

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Rose Steenhoek's avatar

That was my thought too when I saw the video!

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Mara's avatar

That is quite a good job. I love chickenhof. A video of the girls moving in would be nice, though.

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Green Fields's avatar

Looks perfect to me.

Just watch out for the invasion of the red spider mite... There are a lot of corners nooks and crannies for them to lurk and breed.

Generous donations of well placed thrown and scattered Diatomaceous earth will sort it.

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elaine ofTheFamilyCarver's avatar

I’ve found a paper thin sprinkling of powdered sulphur on the roosts more effective than DE against mite infections. Just reapply a paper thin layer of sulphur on the roosts once a week

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Green Fields's avatar

Interesting, though the DE works an absolute treat for mine. I also put it in their dust bowls and being food grade doesn't pose any problems in the post dust bath preening. Might even help with internal parasites as ai don't have any signs of those either. . :)

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elaine ofTheFamilyCarver's avatar

Yes, DE, when eaten, certainly helps eliminate internal parasites as does pumpkin seeds. I mix both with my birds’ fermented feed

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Kelly McMullen's avatar

Oh my gosh, I'm totally upgrading to Paid!

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Susan Creed's avatar

I upgraded a couple of years ago - totally worth it ☺️

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Edward Slavsquat's avatar

Your continued support is greatly appreciated, Susan. Thank you!

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Susan Creed's avatar

My pleasure Riley, I really do love your work, both your journalism/truth-telling and your small holder adventures in Russia. Thank you 🙏🏻

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Edward Slavsquat's avatar

Thank you for your generous support, Kelly!

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LinMaree's avatar

I luuuv your practical creativity! In this post, humor, instruction, practicality, elegance (the music). Creatures don’t care how their roosts, etc., look, as long as it gets them what they want or need. In this case, in order to produce. The “prettiness” is for the humans. We are so funny.

Thanks from “over here.”

Be well.

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Susan's avatar

Yes. I laughed too.

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HUMDEEDEE's avatar

Chickenhof! (fingertips kiss) Stunning! Majestic! Nonpareil.🤩 With such beauteous habitat for your chickens, you are most certainly going to be blessed with a bounty of the largest and tastiest eggs for miles around. Word will find its way and soon, alas, your blog will go dark once you've achieved the status of Egg Mogul of Novgorod Oblast.

Can it be true? Chickenhof will also be a destination location open to celebrating couples, serious gatherings of politicians to plan lies errr strategy in comfort, and wild and crazy geriatric rock bands seeking escape from the nursing homes they should be in? I can't wait for the Chickenhof Newsletter keeping us informed about what can only be called Happenings at this soon to become legendary destination.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I can't stop laughing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Your comedic descriptions of your rustic life is just toooo good.

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Edward Slavsquat's avatar

Your comments always make me smile, Humdeedee. Thank you. I will let you know when the Chickenhof Newsletter is up and running!

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HUMDEEDEE's avatar

🥰🙏 Your comedy gold is unbeatable, but does inspire my humble efforts to chime in. Your wit and humorous descriptions of the doings at the institute never fail to make me LOL. If you've ever seen the series Clarkson's Farm, I can see you and the institute and all the wonderful characters you write about in just such a series.

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Rose Steenhoek's avatar

I can't stop laughing either. Both of you, Edward and Humdeedee, make life worth living. Chickens too.

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Jeffrey Strahl's avatar

Many kudos, Riley!! You have adapted amazingly well!!

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Dave Wise (Neoteric Wood Art)'s avatar

That's pretty badass, Riley!

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Crixcyon's avatar

This was a most excellent presentation of the construction process. Looks bombproof and fox proof. When will the Chickenhof confederation be building in America? Oh wait, we are being stupid again and murdering all our chickens. As long as the foundation is solid, she should last for decades. Do you do wooden igloos?

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Bob - Enough's avatar

Thoroughly enjoyed that and still smiling. No idea what "lumber quarry" but of cause I can guess... but for us in the UK and EU; just go down to the local tip.

My Dad did the same, well almost. Made the same, but as we lived in Countryside full of foxes and ruddy cats.... so he erected wire fencing around their home... sounds great hey ?. I was just a kid back then and me and my sister RUSHED DOWN to see if we had eggs ... YEP and the best ever, when Mum cooked them; we were so happy. Lasted a max of a week, before the foxes had dug under the fence.... got in and !!!!... we were gutted at the sight.

Anyway, good memories in general so thanks and I certainly do need something to do ...might just do what you did myself. Cheers.

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Andreas's avatar

Add Chickenhof to TripAdvisor and it will be aboon to the local economy!

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Joan OConnor's avatar

Fit for finest fowl!

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Margo Jackson's avatar

Lucky lucky chickens. Chickenhof is a wonder. And I thought the music on the video a very appropriate and inspired choice.

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Cynthia Mccoy's avatar

That was AMAZING! And best video EVER! Made my day. Great job, Mr. Slavsquat! Those are some lucky chickens!

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