Last week I ran hither and yon to many feed stores looking for one that still had chicks for sale. Coastal was a bust, so was J Co. I decided that, after talking with Silence, maybe we should have them shipped to us from a hatchery that was still producing chicks. We decided that with the limited availability of grown hens on CraigsList, chicks were a better option, even though one of us would have to raise them with the heat lamp and a small brooder, etc. I guess I was volunteered because Silence was sure she could not do it. At least with chicks we would know for sure that we had healthy chicks/chickens.
Then came the research. I've poked around online for hours trying to gather as much information as possible, talked to people in feed stores, purchased and read books, etc. After all, we need to be sure the raise the kind of hen that lays well, gets big enough to eat when it's time, and endure the cold without being aggressive. Much searching produced a few good candidates to begin with. I think I might be well enough educated to actually help our families do this!
Two days ago, I confirmed with Deiss Feed and Seed that I did indeed want 32 girl chickens (pullets). We are now reserved to have 10 Rhode Island Reds, 10 Black Australorps, 7 Buff Orpingtons, and 5 Americaunas. I figure this will keep all three families and any friends well in supply of fresh, home grown eggs that are much better than the store bought ones. Given that one hen, once it matures to egg laying age, will lay about 5-6 eggs a week, we'll be collecting a couple dozen eggs a day.
As I said at the beginning, this is a co-operative venture by the three families. The French family is supplying the daily chicken chores and the land, the Alpers family is going to take care of the temporal needs of the girls (feed and shelter costs), and the Alpers Senior family is buying the first round of chicks and materials to make sure that we have electricity out there.
Lucky for us, the French family's land already had a sort of coop built, but after what must have been twenty years of non-use, it would be good enough to say it needed a significant amount of renovations. Which brings me to yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Day 1- Officially the first day prep for chickens took place. We walked around the property and evaluated the several different options for a location. All decided that the coop was best where the original one was. After all, over half of the needed material could be salvaged from the existing structure and used again. When one is engaged in this kind of project, budget is a big factor for us in what we can do. We also began taking down the old poultry netting that was rusted and misshapen. We decided to leave the bits that were still fastened down securely. Pretty much the end of Day 1.
Day 2 - Hit Wal-Mart for some supplies we didn't anticipate needing on Day 1. Caulk to patch pinholes in the roof, a wire brush to scrub the boards and remove dried on mud and dung from previous animals, bandannas for the kids to wear for dust masks, nails, etc. Headed out to Lorane at 8:30. Not bad considering that my eyes sprung open this morning at ten till six and no amount of protest from me managed to keep them closed. Too late, brain had engaged in the logistics of how to make the most efficient use of materials, construction of the building, etc.
Today we got quite a bit accomplished, even though looking at the coop it looks much like it did yesterday before any real work began. We were able to 1) remove three walls, pull all of the building staples out of the boards and put them back making sure they were level and secure with BIG nails. 2)We also decided to pull all of the old chicken wire out and put in new, just so that we knew there were no spots where something could get in or out of the coop, and remove any staples or nails or torn wire that might scratch someone or something. 3) Marc and I also came together mentally with an image in our minds of the end result of the coop. We are picturing barn red paint with white trim once it's built. There will be a couple of "windows" to let in light in the winter while keeping out cold and ventilation in the summer. 4) Since the floor of the coop is dirt, and the dirt is uneven, we were able to begin filling in the slope with crushed gravel that was laying in a pile in the barnyard.
I know that there was more that we were able to accomplish today, but I'm beat and we are going back at it again at six in the morning tomorrow. We've been taking pictures, so when I am able I'll post some of the work we are getting done. 'Till then, I'm signing off, showering and saying a long hello to my pillow!
