Arizona Chickens

[ChicksOfHazzard]

So, my Red Star babies Rosco and Boss Hogg are now about 7 weeks old. They're so funny, they went through a phase (when they were getting their feathers and looked like awkward teenagers) where they didn't want to be handled as much. But now they seem to have grown out of it and like being pet and don't mind being carried around (though they prefer riding on my shoulder). I'm glad I have block walls, the neighbors would think I've finally lost it.

Anyway, my husband has been building the coop on his days off. It's REALLY coming together. He's got the whole frame up (he built it really sturdily since we get the heavy winds out here in Far East Mesa). The lumber in the dirt part goes two feet down so it sort of anchors the entire structure. The roost is going to be in the left back part of the pallet area. I stained it today (this picture was taken before I was done). But it looks really nice now. I can't decide how I'll paint the roost yet. I ordered a couple trays from McMaster Carr that I think will work perfectly for under the roost.

We only have two chickens. So this will be a huge area for them. I might add two more at some point. But it's funny because my husband was initially very resistant to the idea of chickens. Then he's been building the coop and handling the chickens and he says to me the other day, "you know, you could probably get a few more chickens if you wanted."

 

[MaddBaggins]

Looks nice! Here's mine now

 

[ChicksOfHazzard]

Looks nice! Here's mine now

I've seen you post pics of yours before, I LOVE it!! It's so cute!! Can you take pictures of the inside? I'm curious what your layout is like in there. And then you have that flap up top I assume for some extra ventilation? I might steal some ideas from your coop, I really like it! Love the FRESH EGGS sign too.

 

[MaddBaggins]

I've seen you post pics of yours before, I LOVE it!!  It's so cute!!  Can you take pictures of the inside?  I'm curious what your layout is like in there.  And then you have that flap up top I assume for some extra ventilation?  I might steal some ideas from your coop, I really like it!  Love the FRESH EGGS sign too.  

There's a link to a bunch of pics in my sig line.
The flap is window. I have one on both ends for air flow plus various holes for plenty of air plus it's under a really big African Sumac. I ordered the sign from McMurray.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Here's a look thru that window. The bar at the top of the frame is a roost, then there's 2 roosts on the other end. That's where they all hang out at night. The white splash is some DE that I tossed into the bedding and some too high. The nesting boxes are to the left and the man door and chicken door are to the right.

 

[bcluff]

Trying to put together 3 pens for FFA is such a stressful activity. I just wanna sleep. And eat. ALOT

 

[ChicksOfHazzard]

Thanks SO much MaddBaggins. I love your coop! I'm still trying to work out the details on my layout, my husband and I keep going back and forth on it. I'll show him your pics though, thanks!

Also, I said in a post before I'm wondering/hoping about whether mine are both females or not. They're about 7 weeks now. Rosco has always been a little bigger than Boss Hogg (so I don't know if she's growing faster or just maybe a little older, I got them from the feed store). She's always been a little darker too.

Anyway, I feel pretty certain that Rosco is a female. Boss Hogg I'm not quite sure about. There's a little flip in his/her tail feathers that has me concerned. But these are my first, what do you guys think? Rosco has always been a little more dominant over Boss Hogg though. I dunno... I'm hoping Boss Hogg isn't a roo.

Boss Hogg in the back



Boss Hogg left, Rosco right


Rosco


Boss Hogg

 

[City farm]

My grandson Cooper came over yesterday. He will be 2 in 10 days. He loves the chickens. Shoo!!!! Get out of the corn plants.

So good to see some of your fabulous photos! I found my canon camera.. It takes so long to ate a photo.. By the time I take the photo they have gone. Now I have to work out the details on how to get the chip in a computor & on the Fourm?? I will be taking a ton of photos in the next few weeks..

 

[City farm]

So, my Red Star babies Rosco and Boss Hogg are now about 7 weeks old. They're so funny, they went through a phase (when they were getting their feathers and looked like awkward teenagers) where they didn't want to be handled as much. But now they seem to have grown out of it and like being pet and don't mind being carried around (though they prefer riding on my shoulder). I'm glad I have block walls, the neighbors would think I've finally lost it. Anyway, my husband has been building the coop on his days off. It's REALLY coming together. He's got the whole frame up (he built it really sturdily since we get the heavy winds out here in Far East Mesa). The lumber in the dirt part goes two feet down so it sort of anchors the entire structure. The roost is going to be in the left back part of the pallet area. I stained it today (this picture was taken before I was done). But it looks really nice now. I can't decide how I'll paint the roost yet. I ordered a couple trays from McMaster Carr that I think will work perfectly for under the roost. We only have two chickens. So this will be a huge area for them. I might add two more at some point. But it's funny because my husband was initially very resistant to the idea of chickens. Then he's been building the coop and handling the chickens and he says to me the other day, "you know, you could probably get a few more chickens if you wanted."

Wow yours looks great.. We have more than one hen, come on ver to check them out.. Then get the ones you and your DH like..

 

[City farm]

Here's a look thru that window. The bar at the top of the frame is a roost, then there's 2 roosts on the other end. That's where they all hang out at night. The white splash is some DE that I tossed into the bedding and some too high. The nesting boxes are to the left and the man door and chicken door are to the right.

Yes, I like your lay out! We will be building part of our chicken coop next weekend.. Thanks for posting photos..
Heading out front to let them out to eat the bugs in the front yard..