Saturday, May 8, 2010

Coop Update ~ Slowly but Surely…

This beginning carpenter is getting her coop built :) I really think the framing part has been the most fun so far. The rest of it has moved much slower. It didn’t seem like I accomplished much during my building sessions this week, but now I realize: two hours here – two hours there.. I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Chipboard was installed on the roof (this stuff will *not* show in the end. I’m putting nice shiny tin on my roof).  This is the view from the back - nest box & roost area (where I’ll be installing a door).

coop_nestbox_roost1

Most of the bead board siding is installed. I had planned to perfectly match everything (i.e., the “beads” on the bead board), but let’s just say… measuring, and cutting accordingly has not been my strong suit so far. But then again, I’m a beginner! Trim will hide most of my errors (I hope).  I am getting better and less nervous with the jig and circular saws.

This view shows the opening for the little chicken door, and the side window.

coop_chix_door&window

And here’s a quick view of a step that proved to be very tedious – I installed hardware cloth in the ventilation around the rafters. At that point I wished for verrrry tiny hands.

coop_hw_cloth1

A few of the next steps –
*one more piece of siding installed because of another slight modification I made :)
*paint the interior – I have a quart of nice lemony yellow eggshell that was FREE from Glidden a few months ago.
*install hardware cloth on the inside of the window.
*cut out doors & brace them, as well as cut the window cover.
*trim window, doors, corners, roof lines.
*install doors, window, hinges, latches, etc.
*drill hole in back for heat lamp cord.
*caulk, caulk, caulk.
*paint exterior.
*install galvanized tin roof.

More updates soon – chicks arrive week after next! Thanks so much for the encouragement, Blogger Friends. I hope I can inspire others to build something they’ve been dreaming about. If you want to see more inspiration, check out my friend Linda at Prairie Flower Farm and what she’s been up to this week!

I’ll leave you with a few photos from this week. We’ve had lettuce from the “greens bed” for a couple of weeks now.

lettuce1

Check out one of our yard birds. So pretty, and so watchful over the nest….
tree_swallow

Giant Allium was fully bloomed earlier this week.

allium_bloomed

Spiderwort from Patti. Such dainty little flowers!

spiderwort

Lastly…. and sadly, our Miss Monkey kitty disappeared a week ago today (in the middle of the day, no less). No clues… nothing. The neighborhood has been alerted and we’ve covered a lot of ground over the past week looking and calling for her. Hoping she’s okay and will come back soon. I miss those blue eyes…

Miss_Monkey

Last but not least, Happy Mothers’ Day. Blessings and hugs for all the moms out there!

sig3

22 comments:

Gwenieann said...

Every thing is DELIGHTFUL! Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful new additions. I think you are getting close to the sound of enchanting Peeps soon!

Melinda said...

Looks like it is coming along fine. I bet
your chickens will love their new home.

Happy Mother's Day!

Melinda

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

WOW you are quite the builder. Hope Pw has a fork lift to move it out of your garage. Wait I think it might be on his side of the garage.
So sorry your pet is missing, those eyes are beautiful.
Enjoy your Mother's day.

Leah said...

Nice post --- a what a project that chicken coop has been - great job for taking that on! Happy Mother's Day to you~

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed by your coop it sounds like it's going to a "super coop". :)

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty disappearing. I hope she comes home today, as a wonderful Mother's Day gift.

Happy Mother's Day.

Sandra

Anonymous said...

What an amazing little builder you are!

Have a happy mom's day!

Di
P.S. I think the girls are going to love the lemony yellow paint on their walls. and hope Miss Monkey finds her way home.

V.L. Locey said...

Happy Mothers Day! Great pics as always. Sorry to hear one of the pets has come up missing.

Rural Rambler said...

Happy Mom's Day Tammy! The coop just looks GREAT! Hope the kitty gets her little behind back home where life is good. Your flower and bird pictures are all so pretty! Miss Monkey has a wonderful face.

Debbie said...

I think you need to call that thing the Taj Machicken. Just a thought.

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Happy Mother's Day, Tammy!
Praying that Miss Monkey is safe and will return home :)
xo, misha

Jenny said...

Oh wow! You are impressive girl! That is quite the coup building the coop.

Hmmm.... that phrase worked better inside my head!

I hope your lovely kitty finds her way home soon!

And I hope you have a blessed Mothers Day with no bent nails and a lot of blessings surrounding you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day! I have to tell you I'm so impressed. And a tin roof?! Cool. I simply love your allium - gorgeous! So sorry to hear about Miss Monkey. I hope she returns safely to you soon.

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Do you know you have inspired me to make my own chicken tractor? Yep, you have. I'm so sorry about your kitty. I know the worry of that. I always count my kitty heads in the morning and when one doesn't show up for breakfast, I can't rest until they are seen. I hope you are enjoying the beauty around you despite all the chores!

Unknown said...

Those little peeps will appreciate your hard work ... looks good to me!

Happy Mother's Day ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Missouri Gal said...

That is too cool and you HAVE inspired me. Love your flowers and of course the kitty too. Happy Mother's Day!

Karen said...

Wow, I'm impressed with your carpentry skills! Can't wait to see the new chicks, and I'm sure they'll love their home.

I hope your kitty finds his way home. I know how sad it can be to lose track of them, but sometimes it takes a day or two for them to wander on back.

Unknown said...

I was so excited about the owl I forgot to scroll down! Great job Tammy! Want to help me build a beehive? : )

I'm praying for the safe return of Miss Monkey too. She's a beautiful kitty!

Be well ~Andrea~

Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarm said...

Tammy, I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty. I hope she is found soon.
LOVE the coop! It looks like a dollhouse for chickens!! What lucky little fuzzy things! Can't wait to see the beautiful photos you'll be taking.
-Staci

Kilauea Poetry said...

Brovo to you..looks terrific Tammy..I'm jealous!! Your getting lettuce already too. Beautiful cat and I do hope she turns up! They can stress you out!
What a nice variety of flowers here!
I enjoyed your update Tammy! You should be proud!
Regina-

Linda Stubbs said...

Beauty!!!!!!!!!!! You are so amazing Tammy! I am totally impressed. I am going to read your blog on the building of your coop. I want to try so bad.
I will let you know when I decide to be brave........... like you. I think any women that can build a chicken coop it truly a major Farm Girl!!! You are it Tammy.

Blessings, Linda

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

You are totally inspirational! I'm so afraid of power tools that I don't know if I'd have the guts to even try to make something like this. It's looking really good and love that it's going to have tin roof!

Manuela

Cheryl said...

The chicken house is really beautiful...lucky chickens! So sorry about Miss Monkey!

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