"Oh! A chicken coop!" -- Passing cars.

Our first chick, shown here, probably won't be our best producer, but she thoroughly enjoyed the new chicken wire covering the run.

Next we'll build the door for the end, finish the floor inside, some perches, cut a little chicken door, and.. start the whole process over on the other side. Ugh-- ask Joe.

It's going to be hard accomplishing our goal of getting this side done by tomorrow. Not for lack of interest, materials, or time. Rain. Rain. Rain.

Grils Just Wanna Have Food

Joe and Stace went away for a camping weekend, so I got custody of the girls. They loved scratching around in the garden-- found some nice juicy worms and swallowed them like pro... well.

Joe and Stace are back, but I've still got the girls a week later. A little smelly, but otherwise good housemates. I've honestly grown attached and would have a hard time giving them back.

But soon they'll be in their permanent digs. Our focus has been on getting one side of the coops done, habitable. Getting close.

The Runs

The first run has been framed out - next would be the chicken wire and a front door. The structure is pretty solid, due to the cement that Tim decided was needed (he was right). Our goal is to get this run and coop ready by next weekend so the girls can move in (they are growing up fast). We would also need a floor and a door on the coop for this to happen.

Get Er Done

We've been working every possible free weekend and weeknight for a while now. Clean up sometimes happens like this, in the dark.

Visitors

Amber (class mom) brought Hannah and Paula (from class) to meet the chicks. I got the chance to show off my house and yard to them as well. Amber was sucked into the hammock while the girls and I checked on the campground.

This year's class has been great. Maybe the chickens will be a good way to keep in touch. Hope so.

Ruffles

Ruffles is turning out to be a pretty good shepherd. Here he's watching over the chicks (in the new digs we cobbed together from dog crates and chicken wire) and helping Maggie as she lets the flock hunt for bugs in the newly-tilled garden.

Yipee!

The roof is finally complete. Tim and I learned quite a bit about how to shingle. Looks professional, doesn't it?

We decided on metal ridge caps that will allow adequate ventilation for the chicks. I believe our next step is insulation, then we will get the runs done so the chicks can start to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Girls

In response to a request from Stace's mom, here are some pictures of "the girls" (the ones currently residing in a dog kennel in our living room):