Change of Plans

Evidently, there was some confusion about our emails back and forth.
They did not have four Reds... so, we will go and pick up four layers that they have on hand.
We just want chickens now.

Bring on the Birds!

We just got back from vacation... but are excited about getting our chickens.
We are planning on going to Stacks Chicken Farm outside of Gettysburg, PA to pick up four already laying Reds.
YAY!!

It's the Little Things

OK, so we now have wood shavings, a waterer, and a feeder.  Thank you Tractor Supply!
We've waterproofed the entire coop with Thompson's sealer.
And, we've built a base frame that wraps chicken wire under the bottom.
We've received a great suggestion from a friend to put compost in the bottom base frame for the chickens to scratch around in.  That's the next step.

Coop Together -- DONE!!

One fully assembled coop!

Whoop, Whoop!  Give us a night and an electric screwdriver and one chicken coop is together!

There were a lot of pieces, but the instructions were great.  Overall, very happy with the coop.  Some places feel not as sturdy as we'd like, but overall it is nice.

The tray at the bottom of the roosting area has a metal, reflecting bottom.  Seems odd, though I guess it is more for easy cleaning than for the birds to look at themselves in the mirror.
The frame to that tray cracked when the pen wasn't square.  :(
Because it is mainly two boxes held together with a couple of screws it is best to not try and move it by yourself.

We want to somehow wire the bottom so no predators can dig under it.
We also want to waterproof it before getting birds in it.

Cindy demonstrating that the coop top opens fully

Rain, Rain Go Away!!

So, our coop is stored in an area that has not flood or had water issues, until tonight!!
Hopefully, it did not sustain too much damage.  The water from a major storm, not only seeped into our basement, but also into the storage area under our kitchen.  The coop boxes got damp.
UGH!!
Get out the shop vac!

Coop Arrived!!

We received our coop today in two huge boxes.
Our kids helped to carry them around back until we could get to them.
Full month... so it is not being put together this week!
But, it is here! It is happening!

No Coop Yet

Well, we thought we might have a coop by the end of June, but we heard from GreenGardenChicken.com today after inquiring about the status of our order.

This is what the email said: "You pre-ordered Pawhut Deluxe wood Chicken Coop has arrived as scheduled and on time, but is being held by Department of Homeland Security. Every time shipments come in from overseas, Department of Homeland Security randomly checks containers. Once The Department of Homeland Security complete the check it will arrive at our warehouse and once it arrives it only takes week or two to have it ship out to your home."

So evidently, it was coming from China?? and a threat??
Strange.