Getting the hardware cloth on was a two-session process. If we’d had a whole day to spend on it, we’d have completed it in one, but we snuck in an after-work session during the week, and were able to get one side complete.
The second side went on pretty easily, despite a few flubs. Even the door mesh went on pretty smooth.
With the coop structurally complete, we only had to throw on a couple of latches and handles for the doors, and we were ready to move birds in!
We laid down some wood shavings for bedding material; about half a bag left about an inch of shavings across the coop. We installed the water dish and food tray, and I tied up the water dish to hopefully keep it from getting tipped over; we’ll see whether it works. Having the hardware cloth in place makes it nice and easy to attach stuff to the side of the coop, and the whole build feels very sturdy.
I’d still like to get fascia board installed over the sharp rafter edges; anyone taller than 6′ will have to watch out when they’re watering the chickens, because the door is framed between two rafters that hang pretty low.
Porkchop, Carlos, and the Zebra twins seemed pretty cooled out in their new home. We decided not to give them a heat lamp; let’s hope they have enough feathers to compensate.
With the big birds out of the brooding box, we were able to move the younger set into a bigger pad. That makes me feel a lot better about their safety and comfort. That little box was getting pretty crowded.
Carlos is definitely the sweetest of the chickens. She comes over and says “hi” every time I come near the coop. Porkchop is actually getting a little more skittish; she’s brave, but doesn’t ask to be held like Carlos. I think we need to hold her more. The Zebra twins are still very shy. They come to investigate, but really don’t like being touched. The young ones are a more gregarious lot; Crow (the beat up little black one) and Amber (the red with a taller straight comb) actually snuggled up to me a little as I held them, and even Rooster (the black with the large comb) and The Other Red one come to hang around me when I come out to say hi.
Welcome to your new homes, chickens!