Good morning!
We are wishing everyone a very happy and safe LONG weekend - the last one of the summer.. where did the time go???
I am so excited to finally be sharing some photos of our chicken coop.. the SCHNICK project of the summer. Yesterday we moved our flock from the barn to the coop and I was able to clean out the horse stall so that it is ready for an equine friend. :)
In July, Derek and I discussed what our perfect chicken and duck coop might look like. We read a lot of articles on the subject and made some decisions. We would definitely like the coop up off the ground, we would like it to be insulated and we would like to frame in a utility room so that the entrance to the birds would be inside (think blowing snow come December). Derek used his schematics to calculate how much wood we would require. We decided to go with pressure treated 2x4s and barn board - to match the barn. :)
Determining WHERE to put the coop was a big decision as well. We ultimately decided that it should be closer to the barn instead of behind the workshop - here it will get beautiful morning sun as well as the wind protection of two large evergreen trees. And although I don't doubt SCHNICK plans, it is comforting to know that should we need to move the birds back into the barn in the future, the barn would be close.
Let the framing begin!
When family came out to visit during this time, we put them to work. :) Big thank you to our siblings and our nieces and nephews. xo
Next came the outer walls... the roof - (again I am amazed at how my hubby knows how to angle, cut and install trusses and shingles) and then the insulation and plywood inside walls. We also constructed the windows and vents to allow for storm windows and shutters to be placed in front of the metal screening when the weather requires. Soffits were equipped with venting as well.
With these finished, we decided to floor the coop using recycled pallets (thank you for the donation, Papa).
I spent one day in the sun ripping the top boards off the pallet legs. The time trade off for the price, but you can't beat free!
I then laid the boards out in the coop staggering the seams and began screwing them down.
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| My little helper. |
I really like the way the floor came up...
Finally... we were ready to set up a temporary chicken yard using the green chain link fencing that we had ripped out. We hope to have full free ranging chickens and ducks but until we get them used to coming into the coop at night, we thought it best to keep them somewhat contained.
The girls and I cleaned the hardened mud out of the bottoms of the fence posts and Derek used the tractor to push them into the ground.
With fencing in place, we prepared to move the birds. Now, this is where I noticed a HUGE difference in approach between hubby and I. I hadn't realized what a cowboy I had married. :) I knew that Derek had worked at moving livestock during his teenage years but I was not prepared to see my husband grab three or four chickens by the feet, turn them upside down and carry them to their new abode. In contrast, I cradled one bird at a time and walked each bird in turn to the coop with gentle words of "look at that glorious sun darling, welcome to your new home!"... yeah it totally would have taken me all afternoon without Derek. :)
But all forty chickens and ten ducks made it safely into their new coop and I was so excited to finally open that door and get them out exploring the grass!
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| Thinking about venturing out... |
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| Okay... I want back in now! |
Derek and I installed some roosts and began constructing nesting boxes that will have accesses from the utility room so we don't need to disturb all the birds when collecting eggs. I'll be sure to write another post about those as I plan on sewing curtains for the nesting boxes.. yup, you read that correctly. Don't believe me that there will be sewing for chickens happening? Its a real thing, as are crocheted sweaters - its coming!! :)
By 8:30pm we had our babies tucked into their new coop for the night and I was showered and into my flannels with a glass of wine on the back deck where I could appreciate the view of our coop. Our LABOUR of poultry love. :)
Another SCHNICK-success and a venture that brings my heart so much joy and contentment. Thanks for reading along,
Jeanette
xo
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