Sunday, April 28, 2013

Bird House & Barn

... a Farm Report
Can you see the progress? Two weeks ago all the posts were set, then the base was framed, all thanks to help from family and friends. That was also the time when the second cottage was finished. Yup, things are definitely progressing nicely.

Since our last Chicken Run update, the floor of the run got lined with 1/2" square hardware cloth, the dirt got replaced over the wire, the cottage pads were graded, Geoff and I brought home fifty pavers, the pavers were set, we moved the cottages onto their new foundations, and the plumbing got dropped in! Whoa, I'm breathless!

Paul and family came by yesterday. He jumped right in with William and Geoff, attaching the 2x4's for the framing. Amira and Maria ran through the sprinklers, then wound up in the pool! Whoa, now I am shivering! It's not exactly pool weather, in my opinion. Janece and I acted as upper management, overseeing all, and solving all the problems of the world. Our world. Okay... we agreed there are problems and we have good ideas. It was gratifying.

A low pitched, wire roof will be added, but there will be no walls. All will be sealed and wrapped with 1"x 1/2" hardware cloth... a ginormous aviary, basically. And inside there will be a dividing picket fence, filtering out goats from chickens. The first cottage will have roosts and nest boxes, and some additional details particular to happy hens. The second cottage, Chez Chèvre, if you will, is roomy enough for two or three lady goats.

Enter Now!
McMurray Hatchery Book Giveaway! Drawing May 1st!
Backyard hens are easy and fun!

Have you thought about jumping into the urban farm scene? It can be quite simple, and with care and planning, it can be easy to maintain, too. A small flock of backyard hens is fun, and if you would like more proof then please comment for a chance to win a copy of Murray McMurray Hatchery's new book, Chickens in Five Minutes a Day! Please, for yourself, or for a school's library, comment at Chickenblog for a chance to learn about how to enjoy "Raising, tending, and getting eggs from a small backyard flock."


7 comments:

Rachy said...

Oh WOW! What super cute coops you have. Worth every second of all your hard work!

Lucky chickens!!! xxx :)

kara said...

Plumbing!! SO fancy! My chickens are jealous!!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

lol... just padding the resume a bit, Kara... it sounds better than: we're putting in a spigot!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Safe, and lucky... we hope to finally put a stop to the predator parade that's been picking off our pets!

judy in ky said...

I love your dedication to your animals. Providing them with such safe and comfortable habitats.

Alison said...

I was amazed by the plumbing, too. I could use some handymen like that around my place, too!

nikkipolani said...

Goodness, I miss a few posts and here you're about finished with yet another amazing structure! Wonder if chicas are impatiently counting the days until it's finished.