Do you remember last time we got baby chickens? We were going to get them and then we weren’t; and then we were and we weren’t. And then we did but we had no chicken coop! Not a problem .. Vince was going to build a coop. The baby chicks were so cute residing in the Rubbermaid tote in the basement. We took videos of them and lots of pictures. Then they grew a little and we put them in a cardboard box in the basement. We loved playing with them. They grew more and we had to get a huge box. They were starting to smell and I wanted them out of the basement.
Vince got a big wooden box and moved the chickens outside but not before I threatened to turn them all loose and let them run away from home if he didn’t figure out a way to get them out of the basement.
He was building a coop and in typical Vince fashion, it was a slow process. Finally he finished it and Jerry, Anthony and Vince proceeded to move it. That was quite entertaining.
Here we are three years later and I want chickens again since I had to find a new home for the other chickens and leave them in MO. At least once a week, I say to Vince “How’s that chicken coop coming?” because I know he hasn’t even thought about building it and there’s no way he’ll ever talk me into getting chickens again without the coop ready unless he agrees to let them live in the Highlander until the coop is finished.
Last night I went into the bedroom and saw this in the printer:
There’s hope! Someday soon maybe I’ll have a chicken coop and then we can get more chickens.
Helen Koenigl says
I envy you! I miss raising chickens SOOOOOOOOOOOO much! I miss the fresh eggs almost as much as I miss the milk from my dairy goats!
While I MIGHT be able to raise chickens here in the city – I KNOW that dairy goats would be a whole other issue. Still – it sure would be nice – and nice to have all the added fertilizer to my compost pile too!
Judy Whitehead says
Are all coop construction projects long drawn out affairs? Mike started ours over Christmas vacation and it still isn’t done! I’m hoping by the end of February it will be done, or I may just have to pick the hammer back up myself.
Helen Koenigl says
oh yeah – forgot to mention – way back when I lived on a farm, we ALSO had chickens in the basement. Not just hens – but also chicks that turned into roosters – and they are soooooooo funny when learning to crow! (they resemble a donkey – and sound like “Ee=awk” instead of an honest roosters crow!) First time I heard them try it it woke me out of a sound sleep!
For that matter – when my dd brought home a pig captured in the free-for-all at the fair (I did NOT expect a pig – SERIOUSLY!!!) – it also spent the night in the basement (no pen, no building).
So did the ducks and geese (they showed up a month after the chickens did and I was NOT ready). And then there were the goats – yup – basement (landlord reneged on buildings – until the goats spent the night in the basement – then I was able to drag an old shed down to my farm – the same shed promised BEFORE I ever moved on to the farm, btw). Sheep – they were able to share the shed with the goats (who had moved by then). And I did draw the line at horses (thank goodness!) They could (and did) stay in the pasture!
My poor basement was getting cleaned out A LOT (daily) – and each time I swore NO WAY was it getting used for livestock, pets or anything else! Yeah, right!
Terry says
Hey Judy, I forgot to mention that my husband is bringing his tool box to retreat. Might be a good time to start that chicken coop!
Roberta says
Nice coop!!!!!!!!!!! Can you share the origin of the plans??? Might be something we will need in the future. thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs!!!!!
Mary says
We have to build a bigger chicken coop. I’m waiting for my husband to finish his workshop before he starts that project. He actually moved it up on the priority list because one of our hens decided to go broody and I have chicks due next week. I suspect they will be in the house for a while before the coop and brood area is actually built. Good luck on the coop!
Freda Henderson says
Maybe you will get chickens soon! I miss your chicken stories.
Erin says
OH I can’t wait til you have chickens again!!! Can I be your sister?? I am an only girl..lol..kidding..I just love everything you do and enjoy your blog…learn a lot too…very appreciative…that coop looks fabulous by the way!!!
Patrica says
My flock of 14 hens were all killed in ONE night by a bear last year and I have been missing for so long. It just about broke my heart. You cannot believe the destruction! My husband says we can replace them this spring because hopefully the bear has moved on since it has been 18 months since there has been chickens here and she no longer looks for them. Keep your fingers crossed for me and for the girls when I get them.
Osagebluffquilter says
There’s talk at our house about the hubby getting chickens. IDK I have mixed feelings on it. But I would like a cute coop in my backyard!!
AnnieO says
I remember that chick interlude well–I thought you were very brave to have those smelly birds in your basement for so long! And the coop moving adventure was hilarious, too true 🙂
Diann Smith says
I still think about Ruby and miss stories about her.
Linda in NE says
Lordy, chickens in the Highlander. I can just see the look of horror on Vince’s face.
Natalie says
i know there’s no replacing Ruby, but i cant wait to see what a texas-born chicken’s attitude is going to be like! ive missed your chicken stories and updates so much. i cant wait!
Lynne in Hawaii says
When I saw the plans, I immediately thought it would be a good guys retreat project since some of the husbands will be hanging out with Vince. You could get a lot of work out of the fellows while you all sew….sounds like a plan to me!
Bon says
Seems like since he has built one coop, the 2nd will be a lot easier and therefore, faster. Makes sense to me. I’ll be waiting to read about the chicken coop adventures.
Chris Teague says
I found this blog while searching for your Stash Star pattern and was drawn in by the chicken coop story.
We have 8 chickens in the backyard (one rooster) and love every minute of it. We lock them up at night in a coop with a concrete floor to avoid predators. They have two huge runs to hang out in and scrub for bugs…. the grass lays low in the winter but because they have so much space, the turf comes back strong each spring. (did I mention the fertilizer?)
I use the soiled straw to mulch and fertilize the summer veg in the raised beds and the wheels go round. It is the best life I can think of and would love to encourage more of this.
That coop plan you found at the printer looks very nice, off the ground at night, yet portable….. you can even buy a movable electric fence so that you can move the ladies to alternate parts of your yard. good luck and get nice chickens… Orpingtons and Dominiquers are sweet natured and colorful and the Arucanas lay the blue and greenish eggs.
Which brings me full-circle… I found the instructions for your Stash Star quilt on another site and am making one as a wedding gift…. may I have permission to post it on a blog I write for our local quilt shop?
Chris
amy says
I miss your chicken stories too. In fact, when I mention something from your blog to my boyfriend I refer to you as “Chicken Judy” and he always knows who I’m talking about 🙂
Rhonda G says
I miss having chickens too. And nothing from the store can touch the taste of FRESH eggs.