Not a Typical Storm -- Oh, My!

On Sunday we had the oddest storm. 

The basket ball shows how the wind was blowing hard from the north.  It was 60 degrees an hour ealier, then plummeted to 30 degrees. 

We had 60 mph winds, hail, thunder, and snow. The storm lasted 30 minutes, even though it stayed cold for another day. 

Many houses lost power; fortunately our power stayed on. 

The chickens ran for their coop and safety as soon as the wind started. 

What a freakish storm! 

Picture of the Day 1/17/2013

This is Spice, Ginger, and Yoda on the roost inside the coop.  When the weather is bad, you can usually find them inside the coop.

We have had horrible winds and wind chills this past week.  The air temperatures are 30-35 degrees, but the wind chills are still close to 0 degrees.  If you give the ladies a place out of the wind, they are content.

On another note, because the temperatures were above freezing, the poo was no longer frozen to the coop floor.  I was able to clean out the poo.  

Picture of the Day 1/2/13

This is Ginger.  Notice the wind ruffling her feathers.  She doesn't mind the cold, but the snow and wind make her seek refuge. 

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...

Finally! The Roof is On!

Jason is the roofer.

We had to build the roof before we could shingle.

Aaron looking at the roof.

Attaching the plywood.

Wow!  What a difference!

The ladies will be dry this winter.

Putting the plywood on.

Adam looking on.

Getting the design just right!

Thank goodness for the electric nail gun!

Love the brown shingles.

Cutting the shingles takes a while.

Painting the wafer board panels that will be used for wind breaks.

The panels will be attached in the winter, but stored during the summer.

Aaron's hands were tired by the end of the day!

Admiring his handiwork.

Wind panels and decorations are up!

Painting the back to match the wind panels.

Job well done, Jason!

How pretty!  It rained the next day -- and all is good!

With the rafters, we can now hang the food and water.

Happy girls.  There is still a bit of work left, but we have time before the Montana winter sets in.