Progress on Chicken Coop

Hey guys, been working on the coop AND the garden trying to get it put in.  Sorry I've been away for awhile.  This is the busiest time of year on the farm.  I've got a few more rows of beans to put out and my cukes.  Also have some raised bed boxes that I'm going to put some things in.  I just don't have enough hours in the day with my job.  Know what I mean?

Above, first we laid the boards around the base of the run so we'd have something to attach the chicken wire to and also to give it more stability.  Same thing with the boards supporting the middle.  The coop and run will have a slanted roof so the rain will run off the back.  Here Dad is measuring for the floor of the coop.

Now, my sweet husband is attaching the top supports around the run...

AND... cutting off the tops of the uprights when they get the angle of the slant all marked off.

Dad's putting the door to the run together here.  It took some finagling to get the angles right due to the slant of the roofline.  But my Dad can do it - He still hangs the moon for me.

Above and below - here's where we left off.  Roof, wire and finish coop.  And oh yeah, we have to bury some wire or tin around the bottom so the varmints can't dig in.  Soon, I hope to fence off a portion of the orchard area so the hens will have a place to free-range...

Below, some dark clouds rolled in last week, don't remember which day, but it's always beautiful when the sun is out - it makes the clouds even darker, and the spring-y green of the oaks coming out really stood out against this dark sky.  I thought it was so pretty...

Gyp is really enjoying this weather.  Note to self...  go to Walm*rt and pick up a slicker brush and comb to help ease that undercoat out.  She's getting a little matted and I felt some grassburrs stuck behind one ear...

Well, tomorrow me and Dad are working on the coop.  I'm hoping to get it finished before the weekend is out.  I have bought some hens and they are about 3 months old.  The lady I bought them from is going to just hold them for me until my coop is finished, but I'm so anxious to get them I could just jump up and down!  Boing, boing, boing!!!

Will give you an update and let you know how much we get done on the coop!  I remember how excited  Farmchick Paula was when she got her coop built and got her hens.  There are probably several of you gals that were just as excited as I am now.  I've always wanted chickens and it's finally going to happen!  My mom told me the other day, "I just don't know why you want those nasty things."  Mom, you just don't understand. But she grew up with them - they had a bunch of chickens and a huge henhouse, and she hated going into the coop and gathering eggs and squishing chicken poop between her toes.  Maybe cuz I never had 'em growing up is why it excites me so much to get them now. 

Gotta run, gals - take care - I hope to be back soon - I need to come visit you all and see what you're up to!
Keep your dress down!