Chicks Are On The Way...

Saturday I finished the footing/base of the chicken mansion (that is the term my friends are calling it).

As I wrote last time, I have put in a 2" Limestone base. Thanks to some "trash" from a demo area, I was able to pick up some foam/rubber mats that I have put over the base. This will not only keep the chickens from digging, but will create more drainage should something happen and the coop be inundated with water.

On top of these mats, I have added another 2" of limestone grit.

Next week I will add a sprinkling of barn lime, and 2" of crushed corn cob. This will complete my footing for the coop.

We also started painting the untreated wood, on the roof and roosts with sealer, to help keep the wood from rotting.

Hubby is going to get started on the door and laying boxes over the next couple of weeks. I am putting hardcloth wire at the top to keep out varmints, and starting to work on their attached outdoor run. So far, the TOTAL cost of our coop (12'X14'X6'h) is just a little over $200. I think that is awesome for what this is turning out to be. We already had the 3 sides, limestone, tin, some of the wood, rubber/foam mats. I have only paid for the wood for the roost, roof, and the fencing.

I want them to have an area to play in during the day, while I'm at work. When I am home, I plan on having them in a "chicken tractor" (still to be made), so they can have access to fresh grass/bugs/food. I can't put them in that, however without my supervision, since it will not be varmint proof. The attached run will allow them to go out and dig around/play/sun/stretch their legs, but won't be big enough for fresh forage.

I took the time, Saturday, to get the chicks "welcome" home ready. I've put in 2" of crushed corn cob, with a thick layer of newspaper on top, in an old water trough. The trough is in a barn stall. The newspaper will keep them from eating the cob, until they understand what food is, and will be removed after day 3. I have their temporary waterer bought, and will put their food in a Styrofoam plate for a day or two. After they get the hang of what food is, I will get them a chicken feeder. They have a heat lamp (hooked to a PVC pipe) that heats to over 100f (at floor level), and they have ample room to move away from the heat if they get hot. I put Styrofoam boards on top (with a wood board for weight) to keep the trough draft free. The only thing I did not do is make a screen top to cover it. The trough is sitting right next to my dog's crate, so I'm hoping the smell/sight of a big dog will keep varmints away from my babies.

The hatchery sent me an email that the chicks are in the mail...and should arrive Wednesday. I'm so excited. I have a trauma kit ready to get those sweeties cleaned up, and eating drinking when they get here. Praying their mail trip is not stressful.

Until next time...