Adding 2nd run.. If you can't laugh at yourself? (added predator pics)

[88heather]

DiDi Do you have a thread going on your building? I'd like to see and subscribe to that! I have to order that book!

LOL Shannon.. i was thinking a vintage sign would be cute.. I'll take you up on the wine though!

Boy.. i lost steam today.. I have been go go go since my husband left.. and I have so much to do before I get company in 2 weeks.. i've been really wanting a lazy day and I took it but didn't really enjoy it! The other night my realtor friend and her hubby came over and we changed the back removable wall in the coop I got at coolcoops.com Their wall was removable but hung by bolts.. so to remove it you have to take off 4 wing nuts, 4 washers.. and lift the wall off.. then match it up to put wall back on.. Didn't really like that and wondered why it just wasn't on a hinge? Well we put it on hinges!! Left only one bolt there (to help hold wall up) and don't need the wing nuts and washer any more and put a latch to keep it closed.. MUCH better.. I can open and close it in seconds.. much much better!


Now I need to build an outside nesting box.. that is what I wanted to do today. and other chores. but I just felt like being lazy and somehow.. managed to be lazy all day so far!.. Didn't enjoy it like I should b/c I know all i have to do before I have company.. a lot.. How will I do it all?? Yikes..

 

[dsqard]

Heather, you have to let yourself have a day off every now and again. Everyone needs down time. Try not to feel guilty for just sitting on your butt and catching your breath! I know it is hard but you gotta take care of you too!

I am gonna start a thread probably this weekend. I got the front and back walls done (DH did have to help with that by standing on the boards so they wouldn't slide while I was screwing them together, I wouldn't let him do much of anything else

)

We have changed the plans around a little from what is in the book (yeah getting braver and braver!!!). I am gonna put the nesting boxes on the outside like you are going to do and I moved the pop door to the front and I am going to add another window. You do have to get this book, it will definitely inspire all kinds of ideas. I did find one mistake in their measurements in the book that had me frustrated for a little while because I thought I had messed up. After measuring everything three more times and checking the directions three more times, I looked closer at the diagram and realized that the measurement in the book was wrong.

Oh well, I have learned to look more closely before I start on the left and right walls. I went to the Dummies website to let them know so hopefully they will correct it.

So I have an extra day this weekend (gonna play hooky on Friday

) so gonna get the last two walls done, gonna build the nest box (made my own diagram with my own measurements OOOOH I could be in trouble!!!) After all of that I will see where I am. I still have to get the ground leveled too. Right now the floor and two walls are in the garage waiting to be put together. Every day I look at them and I am itching to get back at it. I will let you know when I get the thread going!

 

[CindyG]

My gosh, you are an inspiration. I think your run looks great. I (and my DH and my DBrother) built a new coop this summer. My brother who lives away was home for a visit and he knows how to build stuff. What takes me and Hubby hours to figure and do, Brother just goes ahead and does, so not the same as you but I did do a lot of it myself. All the floor joists and framing and windows. It all just takes so much time doesn't it? And it was hot here too, way hotter than we are used to. Anyway, chickens are all in, but mine free range during the day, so far so good. I have to get it sided before winter and then it'll be on to the next I expect. DH doesn't know about that, he thinks he's getting a potting shed next. Anyway, good for you, it's awsome. I hear ya about the screws, I've stripped more than I can count too.

 

[88heather]

Oh good Didi.. I didn't want to miss your thread since you been hanging with my learning as I go building!

.. I'm very impressed by what you are doing and can't wait to watch!!!!!

I just felt it has been non stop. if i wasn't working on the coop.. i was stacking wood from the huge tree project that I started this summer (took down MANY dwarf mistletoe infected trees (not me but tree company) but I did all the stacking and hauling branches)).. if it wasn't outside then I was catching up inside on inside work. (kids/ cleaning etc..etc). I don't know how to get to a point where everything is done and i can sit and watch a movie.. there is always something. I seem though to find a new project as one is ending.. can't help it. i am enjoying the building/learning but working in the beating sun wears fast.. thank goodness fall should be here.. although this is the hottest Colorado summer I have remembered! We have lived in Colorado off and on with the military but have lived here more than anywhere else and this is our final move and our house to stay in.. Yay!

Goal is before my family comes to visit and also do another project. (dad is building us a wet bar.. he surely will say something about my run as he is an engineer and built a few houses).. so lots to do before they come.. finish the nesting box.. continually work on adding galvanized staples to the run.. I'd love to build a little table thing/ bus stop for the other big chickens (think they are jealous).. just wish I was quicker! Plus I have to finish picking up and stacking all the scattered logs on our property..

LOL.. Cindy glad to know I'm not the only one stripping screws!!! It's getting better but I'm definitely learning!!!

 

[dsqard]

Heather, I understand totally about feeling guilty when you are just sitting down trying to relax. Hard to do but needed at times. I will also come up with new projects just when I am getting finished up with one just so I have something to do (not like I need more but you know how it is!

) Anyway, been planning out the left and right walls on paper last couple of days and I am just itching to get back at it. I know I won't finish this weekend but I hope to get a lot done. I even planned out the design for the nest box since I am going to put it on the outside to save floor space. I think it is going to come out really cool five nest boxes on the outside! I have ordered the windows and even got small sets of decorative shutters to go with the windows! So stoked about how it is going to look when I am done! I will post the link here to the thread when I get it started. Depending on when I get out of work today, I might get the thread started tonight with the few pics I took while building the floor and front and back walls. I wish it was Friday already!

 

[dsqard]

OK Heather I started the thread! I had to wait until this morning because by the time I got out of work yesterday, got home, got all of the animals and me fed it was after 8PM and I was tired.

Here is the link to the thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4906083#p4906083

 

[Dixieangeln]

Looks great, Congrats!!!

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

I am SOOO proud of you!

We started building our run last weekend. Money stopped us until this weekend, well that and monsoon rains all week! lol

We are going to TRY to finish it up on Sunday!

My DH, my Daddy and I have been working on it!

I cant wait til its finished! I know that things could be done "better" but for now it will have to do until we are tax refund rich again lol

 

[vfem]

Well darling, I am glad to see you still plugging away.... and adding projects to boot!

You must be feeling so much more in control and knowledgeable as well?

I can't wait to see the addition of the exterior nesting box! I love mine, makes life so much easier (when the birds are actually laying something

). We need to add a nesting box to our second coop we added to the first one, they are laying now... but they keep laying in the run, and now we have an egg eater since I haven't found anymore in nearly 2 weeks.

(P.s. - we figured out there is a flooding issue with the second coop now, somehow 3 of my new chickens drown the night before last. They grouped up together under the run ladder and slept there out of the rain but it flooded in the run and they died!? I have NO Idea why they didn't go in the coop. Now I only have 1 pullet and 1 roo left of the BTW Japanese Bantams.

I have lost 19 birds this year to some terrible accident. I'm thinking of quitting chickens!

)

 

[88heather]

OMG.. you chicks died?

I'm so sorry.. so was it raining so much they didn't want to get out from underneath and go in the coop? I know ya'll have been poured on lately.. Yikes.. so sorry! How old were the ones that died? So sorry.. that stinks.. I don't see you quitting chickens but I bet nothing like that will happen again.. I think you need to find some new ones ASAP so you can concentrate on them and move on.

I know these projects are so fun! I need to get that book ordered this week .. as I would love to try and build my own mini coop! Just something pretty little that could hold 2 adult birds and/or chicks.. to use for any birds that need separating etc..


Didi.. off to go see your thread.

. So glad you did one and sent link b/c I didn't want to miss it since it's so active here and I'm not always on..

(too funny.. I JUST noticed the "more smilies" option.. I wondered where everyone was getting the better smilies!!