Moving Day Revisited

Last weekend I was going to move our layers into the mobile coop and put them with our herd of cattle.  Then I saw the temperatures.  I held off until this week and then I ran out of time.  With 260 new chicks in the brooder and another 75 on the way this coming week, it was time.  Thursday night I loaded all of our hens into the coop to spend the evening.  Since they were roosting there, they should call it home easier.  Friday morning I pulled the coop out to the pasture and put up some poultry netting to confine them until they get used to their new surroundings.  Then I let them go.  With much curiousity they crept down the ramp to investigate.  They took to the new grass immediately.  With the exception of the 15 escapees, they stayed out all day long.  Yesterday evening I collected the 15 that "flew the coop" and came home to return them.  They all roosted again last night.  This morning I will move the coop to a new section of grass and put them back out.  They need new grass as they munched their area right down.  As soon as the fence is not needed, they will be free to roam.  
    I also put the cows on new grass as well.  With the weather gaining momentum, they will begin their pasture tour.  We move them frequently to new grass.  They love it.  They only problem is that once we start, they expect it.  If I walk into the pasture, they want moved.  The noisy chorus begins.  Once moved, they go about 25 feet into the new grass and eat.  
    I installed a new fenceline into one of our fields to convert it to pasture.  That is now done, I just need electricity to it and to add the waterline.  We will put the hogs there for a bit, then I will plow it and turn it into a hog-finishing plot.  We are going to plant many delectables and let the hogs finish themselves.  Our feeders will be released in the field about October.  They can eat all they want.  When they harvest their own meals, I use no fuel and they are happier rooting.
    We hope everyone has a great Easter and is enjoying this weather!