The Chickens Get a New Run: Preparation and Execution

The chicken coop is moved so that the chickens, Wuhen and Corona, can

have access to a new patch of grass. Soon, these chickens will

have free range of a much larger area. It won't be long until the

grass grows back either, as the chickens have left behind an excellent

amount of fertilizer.

Taken May 26, 2020 at 7:21 PM

My family, the Gilberts, live out near the edge of Albany, Oregon. We might not live in the biggest house or have the largest yard, but we love to keep a variety of pets. These pets, however, are not limited to just cats and dogs. You see, my family has a special fondness for keeping hens. We've found that few animals have as much personality as chickens do, and the joy we find in caring for them goes far beyond the reward of fresh eggs. We never raise chickens to eat them, and everything in our power is done to give them long and fulfilling lives.

Wuhen (Pictured) is a type of chicken called a LegBar, as

is Corona. They grow a fashionable tuft of feathers on

their heads, and can lay blue or green eggs. More

importantly to my family, however, is that they are

known for being excellent at socializing with humans.

Wuhen can be seen here entering her new chicken

run to explore and find a snack.

Taken June 2, 2020 at 8:09 AM

My family has been raising a new pair of chickens for the past few months. Inspired by the current pandemic, they have been named Corona and Wuhen. Interestingly, chicken raising seems to have become more popular recently. When first purchasing Corona and Wuhen from Coastal Farm and Ranch in Albany, there was a long line to collect chickens. Once we had them back home, it was time to start planning where they would be living and what needed to be done in preparation.

The chicks started their time at the house in a large plastic tub fitted with a heater and every amenity a small bird could desire. Eventually, the chicks outgrew this home and needed to be moved to a coop outside. Chickens are grazers, and will eat away a patch of grass in no time at all if they are confined to it. Still too small to roam free on their own, we had to confine them to the coop for a large portion of their teenage years. To keep their grass supply fresh, we needed to move the whole coop to a new location regularly.

Preparation for the chicken's new run is put on hold so that they can find a quick snack. An old board is lifted so that Corona and Wuhen can feast on the insects that live below it. This area has just been cleared of heavy brush, revealing the board which had been left there for many years, rotting away. Many more tasty critters wait to be found by the chickens in the freshly cut grass and soft ground.

Taken June 2, 2020 at 7:10 PM

Lisa Gilbert (Left) and Sarah Gilbert (Right) look at harnesses and other accessories while at Coastal Farm and Ranch. "I got really used to them being in the house." Lisa later said in regards to her wish to find ways she could spend more time with Wuhen and Corona, "They're the nicest chickens we've ever had."

Taken June 5, 2020 at 1:01 PM

Robert (Left) Lisa (Center) and Sarah

Gilbert (Right) lift the chickens' coop over 

the fence to the chicken run. A spot must be

found where the ground is level and

racoons can't reach under to grab

at the chickens.

Taken June 5, 2020 at 6:19 PM

It was time to begin preparing the chicken run. There was a lot to do: trimming away excess brush, fixing gaps in fencing, and clearing out their pond. By this point, Wuhen and Corona were large and feisty enough to hold their own against the neighborhood cats who wander into our yard. They were allowed to roam around while the finishing touches were put on their new home.

One of the last big steps of this project was moving the whole coop into the new chicken run. It took the effort of Robert, Lisa, and Sarah Gilbert to lift it up over the fence and into its final resting place. The chickens have loved hunting and exploring in their new home, and the other pets have gotten used to hanging around and watching them. There will be a bit of upkeep involved in maintaining the pen and keeping it clean and fresh, but for now Wuhen and Corona get to settle in and enjoy the warm summer.

The chickens' coop is finally placed in an appropriate position, and it is time for Corona and Wuhen to move in. Unlike when Wuhen and Corona were confined to the coop alone, it will not have to be moved nearly as often. They have free range of a luxurious chicken run, and their grazing will not be concentrated in one location. Perches and hiding places are present throughout the area to ensure that these chickens have plenty to do and explore when people aren't here playing with them or handing out treats.

Taken June 5, 2020 at 6:26 PM

Book Review of "It's What I Do" by Lynsey Addario

Lynsey Addario’s book, It’s What I Do, recounts her life as a photojournalist. Although the book explores well into her childhood, it begins with her career in full swing. Addario is in Libya with some fellow journalists. They are in the middle of a war and doing their best to document everything they can. While driving along outside a town, however, Addario and her companions are kidnapped. There is tension and uncertainty to the situation, but the tale is suddenly ended. This leaves the reader on a cliffhanger, wondering what would happen to these characters. To find out what happens, they’ll have to follow Addario through her life and the realization of her career. Once they finally get back to the events in Libya, the reader will have new insights about the situation and the character, as well as a refined appreciation for the work Addario is there to do.

The kidnapping plotline might be what pulls the reader into the story, as it was for me, but the adventure and intrigue in Addario’s life is not limited to that event alone. Throughout the book, she finds herself in terrifying situations which she often survives just by the skin of her teeth. The work of a war photographer is dangerous, and Addario pursues her career with passion, even if it leads her to some of the most dangerous places on earth.

Of course, not all of Lynsey Addario’s adventures involve mortal danger and life-threatening excursions. She faces the challenge of balancing her career and personal life. Throughout her journeys, Addario struggles with staying in one place, as well as in one relationship. As she herself writes, “... in this profession relationships ended in either infidelity or estrangement.” In-between the battles and disasters that Addario visits, she tries her best to live a normal life with positive relationships. This ends again and again in disaster, as the two lives she lives often prove incompatible. That is until someone enters her life who just might be understanding and faithful enough to make things work, but I’ll leave what happens next for you to find out yourself.

This book has created in me a strong respect for photojournalists, especially those who operate in war zones. They sacrifice so much of their personal lives, and they put themselves in danger at every turn. Lynsey Addario is driven by her desire to document these horrific events and share them with the world in hopes that raising awareness will help such things be avoided in the future. It’s a job that I would certainly not take, nor would I wish any of my loved ones to do so. War photojournalists could be kidnapped, killed in the crossfire, or even just die of meager afflictions due to the low availability of hospitals in many third-world countries. That aside, I’m glad that there are people like Addario who are willing to take those risks and share with the world the truth about what is happening in these areas.

Despite my apprehension to take on a career similar to hers, there are still aspects of Addario’s work that I have been able to incorporate into my own endeavors, specifically for the photojournalism class I am taking in college. Lynsey Addario tries to become familiar with her subjects, and to help her subjects become familiar with her. The goal of a photojournalist isn’t just to sneak up, snap a photo, and run away. If you are willing to engage with the situation, you will likely find yourself with a plethora of new photo opportunities, and the quality and meaning of your work will be increased dramatically.

Her tendency to place herself right into the situations she photographs leads not only to excellent photographs, but also fascinating stories to accompany them. It’s these photos that are my personal favorites, as you can read about the events which led to the photo being taken, which adds a whole new level to the implications of the picture. My personal favorite of these is her image of Gul Agha which she took after gaining access to his mansion. I highly recommend reading about how she was able to accomplish this and what all transpired inside. Both the story and picture appear in Chapter 4.

The picture of Gul Agha is not the only one of Lynsey Addario’s photos that appear in It’s What I Do. In fact, one of the main features of the book are the many pieces of Addario’s work that can be found in each chapter. Many of these photos tie directly into the story, and you can read about the circumstances surrounding the image. Unlike the columns and captions you might find in a finished article, however, the stories take the unique perspective of the journalist. For example, chapter 9 tells of the time Addario traveled with U.S. troops in the East. They grew to know each other, and many friendships were formed. Unfortunately, the troop was ambushed and soldiers were wounded or killed. Pictures in this chapter show the people you have just read about offering and receiving first aid, as well as carrying a lost comrade. Unlike a typical story, these aren’t just characters invented for a book. They are real people, with whom Addario legitimately spoke and interacted. The deaths that are seen affected real people.

Photo by Lynsey Addario | LynseyAddario.com

In conclusion, It’s What I Do by Lynsey Addario contains all of the action, complexity, and intrigue of a fictitious novel. Unlike such a novel, however, the events in this story are real. It’s What I Do gives an incredible insight into the work of a war photojournalist. It also tells the story of the life of Lynsey Addario herself, and the adventures she has experienced throughout her career. I won’t be spoiling the ending, but I will say that the conclusion of this story is both satisfying and rewarding. If you are fascinated by the topic of photojournalism, or simply want to hear a tale of adventure, loss, and love, I highly recommend this book.