Chicken Coop Time!

Day by day the chicks are growing larger and each have their own personality.  The two gray and white ones are the most friendly, while the large jersey giant demonstrates he is the head honcho by walking all over the other chicks.  We take the chicks outside to let them enjoy the sunlight and peck around the yard. 

The chicks are starting to peck at each other and fly out of their temporary box, this means its time to build a chicken coop!!  Getting ideas from online and wood from a local supply, Chris began the chicken coop one day and finished it the next!  Some leftover wood from the previous owners in the garage was used as well.

Chris constructed a coop with a roof with hinges that is slanted for the rain to roll off and opens in order to put more food/water in for the chickens.  A small front door opens to allow chickens to walk down the homemade ramp and wander in the fenced in area.  The nesting area will be made out of clementine boxes and filled with straw and dried grass clippings.  When the chickens begin laying eggs (around 4-6 months) we can easily open the roof and pick out the eggs for fresh omlettes for breakfast.  We are going to add a perching area inside for the chickens that is higher than the nesting area.  It must be higher than the nesting area because chickens like to perch on the highest area and you dont want the chickens using the nests for anything besides laying eggs. 

As you can see, the chicken coop is sturdy and can definitly hold the weight of six chickens.  Since the previous owners left numerous paint cans we have several colors we can choose from to paint the coop in the near future.  On mother's day, my mom and dad came up to help finish the coop and plant some rhododendrons and other plants in the yard.  The boys worked on the coop and the girls worked on the landscaping. 

After having the majority of the coop finished, the boys transferred the coop onto the back of the steel cart connected to the john deere tractor.  Since the coop is heavy, the best way to transfer it down the hill and behind the lake is with the tractor.  Mighty wanted to help...

Strapped on and having two supporters (mom and dad) we were able to bring it down to the lake.

We are currently rototilling this area to make a garden down by the lake.  

Strapped on and having two supporters (mom and dad) we were able to bring it down to the lake and back it into the chicken pen!

The chickens have been in their new home for two days now and are adjusting well.  The door for the chicken coop is shut at night so no predators can come in during the evening and the chickens can sleep in the coop. 

Meanwhile, we continue fishing on the lake- with some snags...