...the garden-roof coop
In July I finally convinced Jeff that chickens are a good idea and he agreed to build the coop!
Phase one: Basic frame..
Phase one: Basic frame..
![64943_2282.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_2282.jpg)
![64943_coop1.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_coop1.jpg)
![64943_small1.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_small1.jpg)
Phase 2: The coop is now set up, roof added--placed by the dog pen that will allow the chicks to "free range" and avoid the ever present herding border collies...
![64943_coop4.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_coop4.jpg)
![64943_this_one.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_this_one.jpg)
![64943_me_too.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_me_too.jpg)
Phase 3: Sides, windows, nesting boxes complete.
![64943_zz.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz.jpg)
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Phase 4: Painted red and a living roof. The roof was made with a soil/compost mixture--lots of sphagnum moss and secured with chicken wire. Winter hardy sedums and succulents were planted. It should look great next spring--no need for watering other than rain, the plants are very drought tolerate--now to get the chicks!
![64943_2064.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_2064.jpg)
![64943_coop_top.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_coop_top.jpg)
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![64943_coop_red.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_coop_red.jpg)
August 4th--the chicks are born..
Introducing: Henrietta, Cadbury, Feathers and Edison--the Buff Orpington Chickens Sisters.
Introducing the Chicks...
![64943_zz5.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz5.jpg)
![64943_zz6.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz6.jpg)
![64943_zz7.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz7.jpg)
Two weeks old! Didn't know how much fun we would have with our new "pets!"
They are showing the beginnings of their real feathers.
![64943_zz11.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz11.jpg)
![64943_zz22.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz22.jpg)
![64943_zz9.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz9.jpg)
Four weeks old--They are finally out of the house and into their coop/run!
![64943_zz14.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz14.jpg)
![64943_aa77.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_aa77.jpg)
And of course, they have a custom made chicken feeder constructed by Jeff. When they weigh more, the feeder will automatically open when they step on the ramp
![Smile :) :)](/styles/byc-smilies/smile.png)
(Update: At 10 weeks old they reached the weight--and intelligence--to operate the feeder!)
![64943_zz13.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz13.jpg)
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We predator-proofed the dog pen by putting 3 foot high--1/2 inch hardware cloth around and on top of the pen. We then put a "skirt" of chicken wire around (and attached) to the outside of the pen. I pity the animal that tries to go through, under or over the run. These chickens will hopefully die of old age!
![64943_zz00.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz00.jpg)
![64943_zz88.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_zz88.jpg)
The chicks are now 8 weeks old! The Border Collies have now accepted them as part of the family.
I wouldn't leave them alone though--I don't know who would torment the other the most!
![64943_xxxxx1.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_xxxxx1.jpg)
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![64943_treat.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_treat.jpg)
![64943_oatmeal.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_oatmeal.jpg)
December--Yes, we put lights on the coop...
Merry Christmas from the Coop!
![64943_lights.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_lights.jpg)
![64943_card.jpg](https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/64943_card.jpg)
First Egg! On a cold, 4 degree morning, one of my 5-month old girls surprised me with our first beautiful, cracked, frozen egg!
![egg.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_k1zcBRijuac%2FTUOb_B7y1aI%2FAAAAAAAAAxc%2FTSzFAxikoIw%2Fs320%2Fegg.jpg&hash=31bead643c00b2a47740eb77a5321938)
![egg1.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_k1zcBRijuac%2FTUOb6dGhPMI%2FAAAAAAAAAxY%2FXHHctxq75DM%2Fs320%2Fegg1.jpg&hash=b1f15a10b05b63a5ba8690e964415ad7)