Finishing Touches to Keep the Ladies Warm

The front of their new house.  It is not perfect, but it is done!

The nesting boxes work great.  The girls began using their new boxes even before the front was attached. 

The ramp and roost.  They didn't like this roost, so we added a second, lower roost, which they seem to like.

This certainly has been a slow process, but I think we finally have the coop that we want!

Winterizing The Coop

The roost, ramp and nesting boxes. The front needs to be attached.

The ramp is on hinges.  It can be brought up for closure.

Right now, there is a chicken wire front for air and viewing...

The new coop takes up none of their floor space.  Raised up 30", it is 4' by 8'. The girls should be cozy this winter!

Adam taking a break to ride Patrick's new birthday bike.  The seat might be a bit too low...

Watching the Girls on their Roost

The roost we built for the girls is getting a lot of use.  The weather has been so hot here they did not want to sleep in the coop.  It took a couple of days, but they have been sleeping on the roost all night long.  The chicken poo is pretty easy to clean up, also. 

Two levels, even though they like the top.

I want to watch, too!

Whew.  My own chicken chair!

Building a Roost for the Heat

The girls have been suffering with the heat right along with us.  They have stopped sleeping in the coop at night, probably because of the heat.  They tried sleeping on top of the coop, but I hated cleaning up the poo.

So, I took 2 2x4s and made the simple roost.  The roost is not attached to the fence, but the 45 degree angle on the ends of the boards allowed me to wedge it in.  This way I can move the roost to clean under it.

The cinder blocks will be put down again.  We turn them over every day or so to let the ladies eat the bugs.  Just like dessert!

Notice the boots on Jakob.  My friend Kathy found them for me.  He loves playing with the hose, but never gets his feet wet.  Except when he fills his boots with water...