Here's how the coop was moved...

...from the previous property to our new property.  We balanced it on the tractor with a 1200 lb round bale of hay.  Of course the hay weighed much more than the coop, but it worked.  We just strapped the coop onto the front and drove staight through the back pasture.  A few of the chickens were still inside.  We set it down carefully and opened the door.  Out they came running and when one of the kids tried to pick up a chicken, out from one of the chickens, came an egg as they were running around!  What a shock!

We found the perfect spot and positioned it on some cement blocks. 

How 'bout it was cold the day we moved it and then it got colder!! We didn't even have a chicken run made for them yet.  They didn't seem to care.  They just roamed freely in the pasture.  They even laid a few eggs nearly everyday.

Since we had a large warming lamp for them, they didn't seem to mind snuggling down in their coop.

Finally it warmed up some and the snow melted.  They are enjoying their free-ranging pasture.  We have to be careful the area predators  don't have a healthy organic snack.  We've already lost a few to the hawk family that lives in the woods nearby. 

Since it was beginning to get warmer, we decided to go ahead and build that chilcken run for them.  The kids and I set out and put up the lumber and started at it.  It ended up being 10 1/2 ft by 16 ft. 

We had the sides and top up and then we started on the fenced sides.  We really thought this would keep them inside for at least the time being...but, oh no!  They definitely flew the coop!  Aggrivating!!

Now, they have a safe little place to get fresh air and walk around. 

Next, I'm going to show you how we clipped our chickens' wings because they kept flying over the fencing.  It's easier than you'd think! 

My 'lil chick

Ok, I just have to post this little picture of my chick....she is so cute and when I hold her she lays down on her back and stretches her legs out, lays her head back and then goes to sleep. I named her Broody. She is a Rhode Island Red and she is about 10 days old. She is very calm and loves to eat her bits of feed. She's so quiet as she scratches around getting her food.

Chickens are really very easy to raise and except for food and water, they pretty much take care of themselves. Just grow and eat. Well, I guess if you consider that coop we're building, you might say it's alot, but it's more fun than not. More coming...

My Chicken Coop

This is just a quick post...here are a few photos of our chicken coop. Because I love y'all so very much, I came in just now to get this onto my blog...hope you like 'em! I'm so blessed to have you wonderful people in my life, encouraging me on like you do! We set the frame on a few flat bricks to get it level on every side. Of course, I want my little chickens to have a special place to nest and roost! :) Here we are adding the sides and back.

The flooring is made of 2x6's and 1" plywood, braced underneath by add'l 2x6's. Then we placed on the frame and started on the roof.

I wanted a little screened window for my chickens to have some fresh air. So Grant made this frame and then we stapled black chicken wire onto it. We also added a screened window to each side near the top. This is a close up of the window in the front of the coop. It has black chicken wire for a screen. We will make a little flap on hinges that can fold down to allow fresh air to circulate. Then fold back up when it gets colder. Here we have the back wall, front wall and one side wall done. We are just about to start on the last side wall. Then we will work on the door and the egg window door. The egg window is at the back of the coop. You can see the cut out shape. The door will be attached with sturdy hinges. I love doing this sort of thing. I used to help my Dad build stuff when I was little. We built our own house and I even helped dig the footer, lay roofing tile and most of the stuff in between. I learned a lot helping him. Thanks Daddy!