The Chickens Have a Home

Except for the roof and some of the wire, almost all the materials were reclaimed.  The nesting box door is an old one I have been storing for 10 years or more.  The trim was wood from old pallets.

Our oldest daughter came home one day early this summer with three baby chickens.  No warning, no permission, just, here they are.  Okay, now what?  Fortunately there are lots of people out there that love to share information about chickens.  We found websites and lots of books on the subject and after a while had a plan drawn up for a chicken coop.
 
In the mean time, we lost one chicken to the neighbors dog.  We then went to buy a couple more and came home with five.  Two of those died from unknown causes and were also replaced.  The last death was a tiny little cute chick named Pepper.  Nancy held her and softly rubbed her as she took her last breath.  The girls buried her on the side of the house near the others.  For several days afterword, they would scatter fresh flower petals on the spot. 

The little boys checking things out

It took me about 40 days of consistent work to get the coop completed, but its finally done and the chickens moved in earlier in the week.  Here are a few photos of the finished product.

Looking in the front door.  The green window trim was from an old army crate.

The older kids checking out the spacious interior and vaulted ceilings

Looking in one of the windows, salvaged from my dads house when his were replaced

Mr. checking out the new pad

Someday the middle child will be a Veterinarian

Vaulted ceilings, spacious interiors, three bedrooms, lighted, heated, passively cooled, open, airy, lots of natural light, and daily maid services to boot.  Makes you almost wish you were a chicken yourself.

The finished product