Tomorrow's the big day!!!

[kiaya611]

Well, after weeks of building (seems like months), and having 42 chicks (they can't really be called chicks any more at 7 and 6 weeks old) in the house! Everything is finally finished. I will be moving them into their new home in the morning.

I am both excited and nervous. I know that in the house they are safe, but outside, even though I have done everything I can do to make them safe and comfortable, I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive. Right now we are having a heat wave (80° with nights in the 40s), but I know that it is still possible for it to go down to freezing until early May. I just hope that they will be ok. I have electricity in the coop, so I can put heat lamps in there if I need to, but one whole side of it (the top half) is open with only wire cloth. I was thinking that I should put plastic over most of that if it gets really cold. Right now though, it would get pretty stuffy if I covered up that screen. Check out the pics and let me know if you think that I should cover up the screens. This is my first attempt, so I am a little wary.

You would never know that it took so long to build this....part of the reason was I was competing with the weather, and the other part is "I'm not as young as I used to be

"

Hope you like it.

Steven

 

[Wolf]

Wow! That's awesome!
I wanna move in!

 

[Freebie]

I think they will be very happy there. I know what you mean feeling nervous and anxious at the same time. It will be ok.

 

[justusnak]

Kiaya.....all I can say, is WOW!! What lucky chickies you have! That place is beautifull! Do you have any plans for dureing the winter to cover the screens? Does it get pretty cold there?

They are going to enjoy thier new home!

 

[CarriBrown]

It looks great!!!

 

[Jillylam]

What a beautiful new home. Nice job! I can't answer the question about covering the screens or not, though. I've never had any chickens younger than 5 months. I'd think as long as you have the back up heat lights it should be fine.

 

[MarkR]

Man, you chickens are going to be living better than I do. I don't think you have a thing to worry about. Have fun!!

Mark

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm soooo jealous of your birdies!!!
That looks great! If you wanted to cover up SOME of the screens if it gets below freezing, then you can use a tarp or a painter's plastic drop cloth. But I wouldn't put it all the way up, because you'll still need venting.

 

[kiaya611]

Wouldn't you know it, after our SHORT heat wave, this morning I woke up ready to move the chickens to their new home and another beautiful day and it is raining

It is still around 60° though. Plenty warm enough for them. Well, I guess they are water-proff and the coop doesn't leak. I think I will put plastic across the front though because if it rains hard and the wind blows it will blow right into the coop.

Oh well, I was hoping for a nice day to do this, but you can't have everything you want

I 'll let you know how the move goes.

Take care,