A Major Project Completed!

Finally! After three weekends of work, we have a chicken coop! Currently residing in it are eight chickens: Our three Orpingtons, our four Silkies, and one of the Rhode Island Red roosters, whom my son had named Jack. The other three are not going to be moving in with their companions, however; instead, they will be taking a trip to Tignish next Thursday and coming home in plastic bags on Saturday to spend some time in the freezer.

We spent most of the day finishing it up; 'all' we had left to do today was put on the front wire mesh and the door. And rake out the dirt. And install a brooder box for the layers. And move the chickens. And fix the door after it wasn't working properly. And keep the dogs out. And chase the chickens who took advantage of their momentary freedom to run around the yard like...well, like chickens.

Here's a picture from the side of the coop that I took after we'd gotten the new residents in their home. They've got lots of space to roam around in, and they are already considering the new pecking order as the Silkies are having their first chance to meet the other birds.

Those are the Silkies closest to me. The kid in the green shirt is Tanner, who is over with the Orpingtons and Jack. The one in the orange shirt is Ashton, who is putting the finishing touches on the door. The one in the purple shirt is my wife, who isn't in the picture. Tanner spent about half an hour in with the chickens; it's nice that there's finally a decent amount of room for them to move around.

For the next phase, we're going to cut a door for them in the wall that leads to the area between the barn and the garages. Dannielle wants to put a pair of fences, one at each end, to give the chickens a huge outdoor area to play in. I think we can do it before winter, which would be nice to give the chickens some outdoor time. And they'll be free-range, which means they'll taste better.

Here's a closeup of Tanner having fun with his new friends.

That's Jack noshing down with his face in the food. He survives only by the grace of getting a name before we could stop it from happening. We haven't been able to get any Rhodie hens here on the island; we might order some eggs or chicks to come in from somewhere else, if that's what it takes to give him some playmates. And of course, my wife decided to get a rooster for the Orpingtons so we can breed them. And with the magic of chicken math, she turned one rooster into two chickens. Don't ask me how; it's a gift.

Yeah, this farming thing is really making a difference in our lives. The whole family worked on this project; even Garrett was out here participating in his own unique way. It wasn't easy, and I'm sore as hell, but it's worth it. I don't miss the city in the slightest, which is a sentence I never dreamed I would say, not in a million years. But, here we are.