The Simple Life

Just sitting and watching my ladies for the last week.  Everyday - the same thing.  They get up with the sun, scratch for bugs, eat berries and then go to bed when the sun goes down.  Maybe because they're chickens it's as simple as that, but I think life can really be that simple - we just make it a lot harder than it needs to be.

I spend 30 minutes each morning making sure the ladies are ready for the day, that's more time then I spend getting myself ready.  Just imagine if I took the 30 minutes to get ready... I could actually enjoy the mornings and be prepared to "go scratch for bugs or to work".

And when the ladies are scratching for bugs, they are concentrating... they are focused on the task at hand and they are getting it done.  By Bonnie's temperment, you can tell there is tension in the coop during the scratching, but when all the clucking and feather ruffling is done they are concentrating on scratching for bugs.  Just imagine how much work I could get done if I really concentrated or focused.  And when people get "catty" say "This is the pecking order around here - deal with it".

They've also begun to recognize me... only because I pick the grounded mulberries around the yard and feed them when I get home.  They've learned to like the hand that provides them with a treat.  Which to me translates to: it's ok to acknowledge people who do nice things for you.  You may even start to like them.

Then they go to bed when it gets dark.  Really - why didn't I think of that?

Life and living are simple - I just make it harder then I want it to be.  But I'm watching and learning

In the End

Like most people I have more than my share of things in the works: projects that I’ve started that just don’t seem to get completed. I read an article recently that said the only thing separating people with the most important and meaningful lives from everyone else – they finish what they start. I think that’s why finishing the chicken coop was so important to me. I finished what I started. I didn’t just think “HEY! That’s something I want to do and leave it for another day” I finished it. It did take a considerable amount of time for me to plan out what I wanted. I probably looked at hundreds of chicken coop designs, spent hundreds of “work” hours researching different types of chicks and chicken, studied articles about how to take care of them and I’ve spent endless nights thinking about what this whole thing means to me. And in the end, quite simply, it means – I can finish what I start. Something I wanted to do - I made happen – using my own skill and capabilities.  This is the beginning of my whole way of looking at what's important - now I can plan and finish the next project. 


But for now, I'm going to sit back, look at the coop and think “I did this” “I made this happen and look at the ladies – happy as heck eating bugs off the ground”.

We Have EGGS!

OK - who would have thought that my ladies would be so productive, but we have five eggs now.  One Tuesday and four yesterday.  Trinity is really excited about getting the eggs everyday.  But the ladies do seem to get a little frustrated about the eggs disappearing.  So, I think I'm going to make a trip to Hobby Lobby and by a couple of wooden eggs to keep in the nesting boxes.  Not sure if it is necessary, but I think I would freak out if my eggs disappeared all the time.  Maybe I should tune into the Chicken Whisperer to see if my ladies have separation anxiety... Don't laugh there really is a Chicken Whisperer - he's on blog radio.  You can become a fan!

Still can't find my stupid camera cord... I'm going to have to tear the house upside down to find it because I have some really good pics to share FINALLY!

This morning it didn't take me long at all to fall into a maintenance routine.  It's sounds crazy but having the responsibility of taking care of the chickens is really rewarding.  We'll see what I say in January when it's a 10 below wind chill, but for now I'm enjoying it (plus it's only two days in - everything's shiny when it's new).  But the maintenance is easy.  It's a lot easier then cleaning a cat box.  Just rake the ground - throw the debris in a lawn bag - rack the inside of the coop (tip: rack the clean straw to the side, then rack up the dirty straw) - DONE.  Not too bad - well not bad for cleaning up poop anyway.

This weekend we're going to BBQ.  It will be fun showing off the ladies to friends.

We Have Chickens!

After a long planning period.
And an even longer production period.
WE HAVE CHICKENS!

Couldn't be more excited about how everything has come together.

Diamond is a wonderful dog.  Could not have asked for a better companion for my daughter.

The chickens are great. (posting without pic today because I cannot find my camera cord - will repost tomorrow with pics.).

We have Becky (named after my grandmother's chicken).

Then there's Bonnie (because she tried to break out of the coop as soon as they got there.

Then Lily (what my daughter considers the prettiest)

And last in the pecking order (more on that in a minute) Lucy.

Becky and Lucy are fancy Buff Orphingtons - they have the feathers on their feet and are almost the coloring of Rhode Island Reds to me.

The Amerucanas are Bonnie and Lily.  Bonnie laid our first egg yesterday within a couple of hours of coming to the house, which probably explains why she tried to bust out of the coop.

Each of the kids reacted differently:

• Trinity likes to go in the coop.  She goes in and just stands and watches them, but hasn't gotten up the nerve to touch them yet. 
• Tony watches them from outside the coop.  He sat in the shade yesterday with his Dr. Pepper and Sour Cream & Onion chips and watched them for a long time. 
• Diamond didn't pay much attention to them - she just sat watching them for a few minutes then took a nap next to Tony.  Later in the evening she started "playing" chase around the coop getting the ladies all riled-up but the caught on and started ignoring her.

Yesterday you could tell Becky was in charge.  She ran the others away if they found a good bug spot.  At first I thought it was because she was the biggest, but now I think it's because she's the smartest.  She has figured out I come and go from the door, so she paces back and forth by the door looking for a way out.  Then Bonnie is next in the order, only because I've seen Lily run away from her.  Then Lily and then Lucy.  The reason I think Lucy is last is because last night when all the other chickens went into the roost for the night Lucy stayed on the outside - sitting on the door.  Tried to simply get her off the door and let her go in the roost, but she was having no part of my plan.  So I had to grab her - remembering everything I've ever read, done or seen about holding birds and put her in the roost.  It actually wasn't that bad.  She really didn't give that much of a fight, but I could tell by the way she wouldn't go near the other chickens - she was low man on the totem pole.
This morning wasn't hard at all - got up, put my gold sweater on, jumped into my polka-dotted boots, picked Diamond up and took her outside with me, opened the coop, filled the feeder, cleaned out and refilled the waterer, locked the coop back up and done.  And the only reason I was done was because they didn't come out of the roost, so I couldn't clean it.  I don't know why I thought they would come right out (too many cartoons I guess), but I'll get it cleaned when I get home.

It's only been one day - but my goodness this was exactly what I planned and thought it would be.

Wait a minute - Did you see that puppy? - I want one!

OK - now that I have a definite date for the Ladies and I'm almost done with the coop, I've taken a deep breath of relief.  Of course it's raining again so I didn't take a picture of the coop, but Saturday it is suppose to be 90 degrees outside - so new pics then.

Also this Saturday I'm getting a new puppy.  Not a tiny little puppy like my Coco, but an Australian Shepherd - what I've always wanted.  I was looking online and yes I really do hate shopping on-line but was just looking so I could price compare and found beautiful mainly white shepherds here in Nebraska.  I'm sure they're really cheap because they're 6-months old and not the true color of Australian Shepherds, but they are so darn cute.  Emailed... Got a response.... Set a time to pick her up... (yes I'm getting a girl)... Picked out a name (DIAMOND).  Here's my pretty girl's web picture.

How can you say no to a face like that?

Too cute for words.

I need to stay off the Internet before my house turns into a farm.

So in the middle of getting the chicken project all done, we'll be making a farm puppy into a city dog.

The Final List

Here is a list of the things I need to finish the coop.

1. 25 1/4 x 28 7/8 piece of plywood to finish the outside door along with hinges.
2. One 2x4 with two cuts (1) 48" and (2) 21 1/4" to brace the window.  Also need a jigsaw to cut the window out.  I already have the 1x3 needed to frame the window out.
3. Plywood cut into (2) 22 x 9 pieces, (3) 12 1/2 x 9 pieces and (1) 12 1/2 x 22" piece to make the nesting box.  Need to figure out how to get all of the pieces from one piece of plywood.  That crap is expensive. Plus the hinges and fasteners.
4. Another piece of plywood 14 x 14 for the entrance door along with hinges and fasteners.
5. Water proof paint (small amount) because I'm going to put tile on the floor on the inside of the coop.
6. So that adds tile to the list.
7. Primer and paint for the outside.

That's it.
I like shopping but really can this little project get any more expensive.  But it's almost done. Next Tuesday.  Finally I have a date.  Next Tuesday the Ladies will be here.  I'm hoping they're nice and cute.  We'll see.

It really cost that much!

Building a chicken coop is a little harder than I anticipated.  I am really starting to like the way the coop is coming together.  Still no pics though...


So far I think I've spent over $300 on the supplies to get ready for the ladies to move in.
$100 - give or take on tools and little stuff like brackets, braces, door handles, chains and springs.
$101 - exactly on lumber.
$ 92.43 - exactly for feed, grit, oyster shell, poultry conditioner feed (which the guy at Tractor Supply said I needed for good egg production), a feeder, waterer and galvanized steel trash can to keep the mice out of the food.
$20 - for 6 chickens (4 this week) and maybe 2 more in two weeks.
 
That's really cut into my shopping budget for the month along with two birthday parties in two weekends.  So far, the most expensive item has been the coop and I will probably have to make "renovations" in the near future.  The least expensive are the (ladies).
 
I hate buying things sight unseen, it's like shopping on the Internet - do you really know what you are buying without touching it, but I'm trusting I was specific enough when I said, I wanted them to be cute and different colors, because like I've said before "I can't tell them apart".  But I stressed "cute" - well as cute as a chicken can get.  They should be here this weekend, I'll find out definitely tomorrow.  I'm still thinking of getting two "girlies" from Dawn, but haven't made up my mind yet.  It's kinda like everything else I do - slow and steady but I'm having fun and learning a lot about myself everyday.
Yesterday I learned - I can make damn near anything.
Today I learned - I'm thankful for the little things. Like not having to be at work everyday at 7 am.  Can't do it, can barely get here at 8ish.

"GETTER DONE"

What happens when you change your mind a thousand times? 
You never get anything done!!! That's what happens. 
So I had to get my act together and "getter done". 
So the coop is almost done - pics to come.  Changed the design a lot, but I think it's good for a starter house using my limited carpenter skills.  I'm so proud of the door - made from scratch (it's the little things in life that make me happy).  One battle wound from the chicken wire and a new chicken plan.  I am buying 4 - 18month old ladies from a friend's brother that has to sell his small flock.  And they are Ameraucanas!!!  It took some time, but it's getting there.
Just think with all of the money I've spent on the coop, plans, equipment and chickens - I could have purchased a new spring wardrobe from the clearance racks at Target and Yonkers.  The sacrifices I am making to be happy.  By the end of next week I will be able to say "One project done - ten thousand more to complete".

One word of advice: when looking at plans and trying to figure out what type of coop to build and how; reference www.backyardchickens.com.  They had the best plan information I could find.

Baby Steps -v- Getting it Done

OK, evidently I'm taking extremely small baby steps.  Spoke with Joey (guy I met at Tractor Supply) and not only has he already gotten his 20 chicks, they've already feathered and are outside on his friends farm in Iowa.  Do I need to plan out every simple steps.  Well of course I do.  I can't do it any other way.
Good news, Joey is going to let me use the brooding set-up he used for his 20 chickens - that will save me a lot in planning and purchasing.
Hopefully, I will get the coop plan in the mail today - it was mailed Monday.  Plan on taking it to Lowe's, Menard's or Home Depot to see if they can calculate the cost of materials.

Now That's a Chicken Coop

I have been having the biggest heartburn about the chicken coop... nothing really fit my style, so I was already to settle until I found this.

The best darn chicken coop plan I've seen in all my months of research... I've ordered it, so we'll see how it goes, but look at it.  IT'S PRETTY... for a chicken coop.

If you want the plan go to ebay! Type in 'chicken coop plan #4'.

Alot has changed on Ebay since 2010 - The seller is Poorfish1.  he has many plans, just look for the one that fits you best.

You met the darnest people @ Tractor Supply!

Chickens are a little more popular then people think.  There were no pullets left at Tractor Supply on Good Friday.  But why am I not panicking... I met Dawn S, from Ft Calhoun, NE and she raises Americanas (my Easter Eggers).  Sometimes I think it is fate when I meet people, she was there buying an Easter rabbit and was not very interested in the chicks.  Casually looked at the straight run chicks they had... that's all it took.  She lives on a farm; raises ducks, chickens, goats and has a white peacock (I really don't remember all the animals she said she had - couldn't get pass the fact she had chickens).  The thing that struck me the most about her was the fact that she looked happy to live on a farm and didn't look like she lived on a farm.  A modern "country" woman.  Sounds wierd to be that superficial about the way a person looks, but it does amaze me how people visualize country as "Little House on the Prairie" or old grandma's.  We are a decade into the new millenium, country doesn't equal frumpy, tacky or poor and old.  But anyway - another good connection made at TSC!

Because I didn't actually know where Fort Calhoun was located; I looked it up on Google map.  Really not that far from Omaha - just north on Hwy 75.

So after disappointed about not getting the chicks for Easter, I'm revising/ extending my plan one month because in May, Dawn plans on brooding (hatching) a flock of chicks... not really sure what you call a group of baby chicks.  So, now with the extra time I'm going to save more money, double check all of the equipment, make sure the coop is exactly what the chickens need while making it "very pretty" and get all of the 4-H stuff in order.  Meaning I will continue to give updated on the pre-chick stuff for a little while longer.

Assorted Pullets?

OK - Almost had a heart attack today.  Called Tractor Supply and they told me the chicks were not sexed.  Are you kidding me!!!  They have to be - so I went back to MyPetChicken.com to price how much it would cost to have the chicks mailed.  And then decided to call the other Tractor Supply Store and the heavens opened up and shown mercy on me because the Tractor Supply chick that answered the phone knew chicken vocabulary.  They do not have the chickens sorted by type - they have "assorted pullets".  THANK GOD!
So now I'm looking at pictures of baby chickens, so I can try to tell them apart when I go pick them out.  Not quite ready yet, but I have to get there soon... real soon... like tomorrow soon... then worry about getting the coop up and running.
I'm thinking we are going chick shopping for Easter.  Thanks EASTER BUNNY!

Who am I kidding they all look alike!

A Little After Before

Over the weekend we (meaning my neighbor Niko and his friend and my son Tyler and his friend's) cleared out the backyard. I'm so proud of them. It is starting to look amazing in my little yard. All of the debris has been cleared away, the trees have been cut back, the railroad ties have been moved over to the garden spot and I have the coop area all mapped out. I even planted grass seeds over the weekend.

Here is a picture of the yard, while Nikko was clearing away the rocks and trimming the trees on the fence line.

Don't mind all of the crap in my neighbors yard, hopefully they will be so inspired they will get back there and pick up their trash.
I'm just glad that my chickens have a nice clean space to grow and lay beautiful eggs.

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
Over the weekend, I also made the trip to Tractor Supply.  That has become TARGET for chicken supplies.  I love shopping at TARGET, now I love shopping at Tractor Supply.  Had never actually been inside a TSC (for short).  They do not have their chicks yet, but they have everything else.  The chick feed, grit, oyster shells, galvanized buckets, feeders and waterers.  All the supplies needed to keep the chickens growing.  Met Joey at the store on "L" St. Saturday.  Hoping his starter flock takes off.  it was nice meeting and talking to someone just starting out.  I'll have to keep in contact with him.

Today I'm filling out the permit application for having poultry within the city limits.  Have to make everything legal.  The application was hard to find, so here's a link: Omaha - Douglas County Animal permit application

Moving Forward

After a very emotional week (my beloved dog Coco was fatally injured when hit by a car) we are moving forward with getting the chicken coop built. Each time I let someone in on the plan to raise chicken I get the same questionn "You can have chicken in Omaha". You would think we lived in New York city or something. It's Omaha people, I'm sure if I drove 25 minutes in any direction from my house I would run into rural America at its best and worst. So the answer to the question is YES - after the chicken coop site is inspected by Douglas County Health Dept. So today, the site is being cleared. With my neighbor's son and his friend supplying all the labor and me supplying the finances, the area for the coop is clean.
Well almost.

Coop - {design}

For those that know me - I can be pretty picky about the way things look; they have to look good and have some pizazz - things have to have a little glamour. So - I've been on many web-sites viewing homemade chicken coops to get ideas and I think I've finally come up with a chicken coop design I can modify and live with.

It has a raised coop and nesting area allowing the run to go underneath for more room. I'm hopeing to enlisting the help of a friend's relative (mainly Jyl's dad) to help with putting together a material lists. I have an idea of what I need, but, professional help would make things a lot easier. And I'm all about the easy. I'm getting really excited especially since the snow has melted in the backyard.

GLITCH! - The raised bed I was going to originally use to outline the run is in the wrong spot, so I'm going to have to dig it up and move the railroad ties to another spot in the yard - but I'm keeping things in perspective - it's going to take some work to get things the way I want them work and time.

On the chicken front - Great News!!! I no longer have to order the chicks on-line. I'm picking them up at Tractor Supply. Evidently, they sale them every year for a couple of weeks - and they're sexed so I don't have to worry about getting any roosters. I'm going to the one off Irvington Rd. Talked to a lady there for a while and I think that's where I'll get most of the supplies. Exciting times ahead.

Will add pictures soon...

Picking the Chicken

Received my Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog in the mail yesterday... I'm so liking my little project! So much planning and doing - it's like shopping everyday!

So going through the catalog - I've made up my mind on the chickens I'm getting.

I know I wanted egg layers - I really don't plan on eating the chickens.

I know I want chickens that are rather friendly - don't really like birds, so the idea of a "flighty" bird does not appeal to me.

I know I want color variations in the eggs - brown, white, blue, green which means I need at least two Easter Eggers (Americanas). So while going through the McMurray catalog, I realized they are rather small - about 4 pounds which means the Rhode Island Reds are at minimum 2 1/2 pounds heavier - not sure I want that kind of pecking order. And yes! there is a picking order in the hen house. So the RIRs are out.

Found another type breed specifically for egg laying Red Star and Black Star, about 4 pounds each great match for the Easter eggers.

Then I found Pearl White Leghorns - about 4 pounds. They lay white eggs great for Trinity because the chicks look like the Easter chicks (all fluffy and yellow). So now I'm set on the chickens.

2 Easter Eggers
2 Red Stars
2 Leghorns

My Pet chicken has all three, so next step: planning the chicken coop while waiting for the snow to melt.

Is that really practical?

Like I said "If raising chickens was practical, everyone would have some in their backyard". So no - practicality has nothing to do with it.

OK some are calling it a mid-life crisis - and others don't know quite what to think, but I'm so excited about getting my chicks. 2 Rhode island Reds and 2 "Easter eggers". It's a lot more planning than I thought but I think it's going to be a good thing. Brooding? - like I've ever heard of that before... coops and runs and predators and rodents. Almost stopped at the rodent part - evidently rats like chicken food... thank God I love cats. So as i go through building the coop - planting the garden - getting the chicks I'm going to update everyone. This should be really fun!