My run for the new coop is almost done - just need to put the shade cloth over the top. The older girls are still enjoying the coop. Hardware cloth sides, metal roof, roosting polls on one side and a shelf on the other. Sand flood (it's what we have for "dirt" here) so it's been real easy to keep clean with just a rake. Box fan and tubs of water help keep them cool during the day. Our worst winters in a decade have been 15 days a year below freezing. Tarps on the sides should keep them warm during those few days. Since our flock has an average age of 3 yrs - I just got in my new chicks.

The morning they arrived, a bald eagle was perched in dead tree in the pasture. I think USPS gave her a heads up they were coming. A hawk kept circling the truck was we took the peeping box inside. Chicks will stay inside away from the predators for at least a few weeks, then move into the old coop. We ordered 25 chicks from Ideal Hatchery in Texas. (I figured their weather was more similar to ours than the hatcheries up north.) Chicks are 4 days old and all doing well. I got 5 assorted hens and 5 easter eggers. It will be interested to see what breed the surprises turn out to be.


















Our newest additions - ordered 25 poulettes from Ideal Hatchery. One died at 5 weeks. The rest are still healthy at 4 months - but have 3 roosters in the bunch. Right on the 90% accuracy for sexing.