The Final Touches
The Final Touches
Are you all tired of reading a garden blog solely dedicated to the preparations for chickens? I promise plants are coming but this is currently what takes up all of our time. Our son-in-law layed the linoleum for the coop floor this past weekend. Ryan actually does this for a living so expert help is always appreciated! I must admit he lays tile and hardwood more but that wasnt in this chicken houses budget. Maybe the next coop:-D
After the flooring was in we started the droppings table. This is a handy dandy little bench below the roosts that will catch all the night time droppings. That way they wont foul the wood shavings on the floor so fast. It will also make it easier to use a large putty knife to scrape the droppings into a bucket to add to the compost pile. I had planned to paint the OSB on the inside but we used the smooth side out and I am now out of time. I dont really think the chicks will know the difference.
And finally a picture of the roosts in place above the droppings board which Doyle added linoleum to for ease of cleaning. He is really a thoughtful guy. I still need to rub the roosts with used motor oil to combat possible leg mites but that can wait until I have some used motor oil. The chicks wont be needing the roosts for at least 3 weeks so I think I have a little time. The big old feeder is ready and the light will be plugged in first thing in the morning. The chicks should be here via USPS by 8:45 a.m. tomorrow. I have to work but Doyle promises to take lots of pictures. I hate to miss out on all the fun stuff. We have 30 pullets on their way and I will update you all as to how well they survived their trip. I hope as well as the meat chicks did. My fingers are crossed.
The final question I still have to find the answer to is what to landscape around the coop with. Is there any such thing as chicken proof flowers and shrubs? They will free-range on the days I am home and I want them to keep the bug population down but I dont want to spend time planting things they will likely eat. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. The chicken house is located on the edge of the little orchard we have been planting for a few years so I thought foundation plantings might be nice.
The Final Touches
