Chicken Math is real. 0 to 10 in 72 hrs.

[ATXInstantFlock]

(Sun Jul 21 - Day 94)
Of course 45 minutes after I go outside and unwrap my second roll of hardware cloth, it starts pouring. Whatcha gonna do?
Decided to spend some time digging out the dog kennel that I might use to transport my flock to their new home in the backyard, as well as taking some selfies.

Here are some updated pics of our mystery breed at about 3 months:

Forgot to take a snap of her back, but it's still very similar to before with the dark gray with specs of silver.

 

[TwoCrows]

(Sun Jul 21 - Day 94)
Of course 45 minutes after I go outside and unwrap my second roll of hardware cloth, it starts pouring. Whatcha gonna do?
Decided to spend some time digging out the dog kennel that I might use to transport my flock to their new home in the backyard, as well as taking some selfies.

Here are some updated pics of our mystery breed at about 3 months:
View attachment 3897518View attachment 3897519
Forgot to take a snap of her back, but it's still very similar to before with the dark gray with specs of silver.

Pretty!

 

[N F C]

(Sun Jul 21 - Day 94)
Of course 45 minutes after I go outside and unwrap my second roll of hardware cloth, it starts pouring. Whatcha gonna do?
Decided to spend some time digging out the dog kennel that I might use to transport my flock to their new home in the backyard, as well as taking some selfies.

Here are some updated pics of our mystery breed at about 3 months:
View attachment 3897518View attachment 3897519
Forgot to take a snap of her back, but it's still very similar to before with the dark gray with specs of silver.

Pretty girl!

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

(Tue Aug 6th- Day 110)
The coop build out was delayed by more rain last week and over the weekend, but last week had a few productive days with a pneumatic stapler and some small 1x2s to close up any gaps. This week has already had two productive days with hardware cloth, metal zip ties, and 6" landscape staples.
After getting the apron done today (tethered by landscape staples set 6" apart), I think we've now got a secure envelope.

Our chickens' new home is just about ready for their new residents.

Heading to the store for some giant concrete squares or paving stones to place our feeders, and I might get some outdoor roosts thrown together tomorrow, but we're otherwise ready to head outside just in time for the oldest chickens' hitting the 4 month mark.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

(Wed Aug 7th - Day 111)
It's Mrs ATXInstantFlock's birthday, so what better gift than to make this a productive work day!
I've given up on trying to grow grass in the coop and run based on all the laughing emojis at my initial suggestion.
As such, I wanted to do what I could to improve drainage.
120# of construction sand over my coop floor and skirt, later my work day has started.
Same sand I've been using to sporadically level my lawn which has a relatively high clay content.

Next was a light covering of barn lime. Didn't measure. Just sprinkled "some".

Next up, 120 cubic feet of cypress mulch.

Some guy at the mulch factory is missing his clip.

Last but not least, about a wheelbarrow full of partially mulched grass clippings.

Not bad to be done with the heavy bits by 1PM. Still have to figure out if I'm going to try and build an outdoor roost area today before I have to pickup kids from camp and bday celebrations for the Mrs.

A few snaps of my shed's new squatter for funsies.

 

[Debbie292d]

(Wed Aug 7th - Day 111)
It's Mrs ATXInstantFlock's birthday, so what better gift than to make this a productive work day!
I've given up on trying to grow grass in the coop and run based on all the laughing emojis at my initial suggestion.
As such, I wanted to do what I could to improve drainage.
120# of construction sand over my coop floor and skirt, later my work day has started.
Same sand I've been using to sporadically level my lawn which has a relatively high clay content.
View attachment 3912538View attachment 3912539
Next was a light covering of barn lime. Didn't measure. Just sprinkled "some".
View attachment 3912540
Next up, 120 cubic feet of cypress mulch.
View attachment 3912541
View attachment 3912545
Some guy at the mulch factory is missing his clip.
View attachment 3912542
Last but not least, about a wheelbarrow full of partially mulched grass clippings.
View attachment 3912543

Not bad to be done with the heavy bits by 1PM. Still have to figure out if I'm going to try and build an outdoor roost area today before I have to pickup kids from camp and bday celebrations for the Mrs.

A few snaps of my shed's new squatter for funsies.
View attachment 3912544

Looking great!

I'll just mention that those beautiful colored wood chips you have, we buy bags of those every year. We don't give up but frequently rake them back to around trees, and refill the flower beds and around the coop where we put some. They just seem to disappear with all of the scratching they do.

Happy Birthday to the missus!

 

[N F C]

(Wed Aug 7th - Day 111)
It's Mrs ATXInstantFlock's birthday, so what better gift than to make this a productive work day!
I've given up on trying to grow grass in the coop and run based on all the laughing emojis at my initial suggestion.
As such, I wanted to do what I could to improve drainage.
120# of construction sand over my coop floor and skirt, later my work day has started.
Same sand I've been using to sporadically level my lawn which has a relatively high clay content.
View attachment 3912538View attachment 3912539
Next was a light covering of barn lime. Didn't measure. Just sprinkled "some".
View attachment 3912540
Next up, 120 cubic feet of cypress mulch.
View attachment 3912541
View attachment 3912545
Some guy at the mulch factory is missing his clip.
View attachment 3912542
Last but not least, about a wheelbarrow full of partially mulched grass clippings.
View attachment 3912543

Not bad to be done with the heavy bits by 1PM. Still have to figure out if I'm going to try and build an outdoor roost area today before I have to pickup kids from camp and bday celebrations for the Mrs.

A few snaps of my shed's new squatter for funsies.
View attachment 3912544

If you want to grow some grass in the run, have you seen grazing frames? Take a look at this post for an idea of how they work: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-pallet-projects.1541562/post-26954894

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

If you want to grow some grass in the run, have you seen grazing frames? Take a look at this post for an idea of how they work: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/show-me-your-pallet-projects.1541562/post-26954894

Thanks, I plan on trying to do that in part of the run.

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Looking great!

Thanks!

I'll just mention that those beautiful colored wood chips you have, we buy bags of those every year.

Hmm, I think it might just be the harsh lighting, but these aren't supposed to be dyed or colored. It's supposed to just be an organic cypress mulch blend. Lowe's Link.

I usually use cedar for all of my tree beds since I like the smell and it's supposed to be less prone to insect infestations, but I know it's considered dangerous to chickens.

Happy Birthday to the missus!

View attachment 3912555

Thanks! I will show her and my little chicken farmer. They will love this!

 

[ATXInstantFlock]

Decided to go back out there and get the pavers for feeding stations in place and to get the treadle feeder fitted/mounted.

Pavers are now ready for the new bucket water feeders with horizontal nipples and the treadle feeder is ready for chicken training.
I probably should have measured to make sure the supports were more level, but the bracket itself is stable.

Obligatory mulch inspection from OSHA passed with flying colors.(Fur is normally fully black).