Introducing Yolk-la-homa

Last weekend my parents kindly came down for a visit, and Dad helped P build the chicken coop.

We decided in the end to convert the existing shadehouse. I wasn’t using it for anything worthwhile and all the ornamentals hanging in there were being badly neglected. More importantly, it was an existing structure that didn’t need too much in the way of modifications.

The first thing that the coop needed was weatherproofing. Most importantly, it needed a roof. Luckily Bunnings had a 50% off special on Laserlite roofing, and seeing as we planned to buy the stuff regardless, that was a major bonus. The other requirements were that it needed enclosing, so we needed to construct a door, and enclose the whole thing with wire.

Mum and Dad also brought down the old nesting boxes from the chicken coop I grew up with. They are a whole lotta ugly, but hold so many memories for me – I’m thrilled to have them as part of the coop.

The kids had a great time helping.Little D had his hands in everything, and J really just loved talking non-stop with Nan. The whole project was rather more involved that I imagined, and the retrieval of materials took up a good portion of the morning. So Dad really only had time to finish the roofing and mount a post before running out of daylight.

The next day J helped P roll out the wire and start to enclose the coop. He very carefully dug away the ground and buried the wire underneath in order to stop the chickens digging their way out, and also to stop any enterprising foxes. I’m pretty sure the chickens will be safe now!

So yesterday P finished off the last of the coop. We have a rudimentary door and a coop fully enclosed with chicken wire.

The chickens have been living out there during the day and coming in at night. So far they seem to really like it.

I have ordered a treadle feeder from Chooktred and some nipple waterers from Hatchers and Catchers, which should arrive this coming week. That should provide a longer-lasting feeding/watering solution that the current arrangement, whereby we refill food and water twice a day.

We are really starting to see the different personalities come out in the chicks. The Australorp in particular is a bit  of a bully, but when she doesn’t get her way, she’s also a top class whinger!  Now I just want the chickies to hurry up and grow – frankly I’m pretty sick of the house smelling foul, and I want me some eggs!