Since our coop is only big enough for 6 chickens at most, we decided to add onto it. Then when we realized that adding on won't be easy (with half the coop inside and the new part outside the run, so we can keep as much run space as possible) along with the fact that I'm tired of stooping over in there to clean the sand, we decided to just build a new coop. The old one will be kept for future batches of chicks to brood (so says my hubby). The new coop will be 5' x 10'. I'd love for it to be bigger but there isn't room in the area the run is in, and I'm not pushing my luck. I'll just be happy to be able to stand up in it.
We'll also be switching to the deep litter method, which means less work for me. I had planned to use it from the start but the prefab coop didn't allow for it because of how low the pop door is.
The floor is done so we need to buy lumber for the walls now and in the meantime I will get a nest box built (accessible from outside the coop AND run-yay). I'll try to post pictures of the progress as long as I remember to take them. Also, I went to the habitat for humanity restore shop today (two of them, actually) and picked up 5 storm windows for $35 total. Not bad! Now we'll have windows that will close in the winter but still let in light, and open in the summer to keep the breeze going. yay! The color will be the same as the old one.
And now the chicks. These pictures were taken on July 26th.
Everyone enjoying some cantaloupe guts:
Buddies Alice and Belle:
And another picture of one of them:
Cosmo, who is now crowing a little bit (sounds strangled, but it's a crow):
Juliet, looking pretty as always:
Everyone curious about the dog (and she is equally curious about them):
