Friday, September 30, 2011

Building the chicken palace, part 4

You: Isn't she done with that thing yet?
Me: Um ... no.

My weekdays are consumed with my real job and I only have time to build the chicken palace on weekends, so you're going to have to put up with this drivel for a few more weeks. Let us all bow our heads in prayer that the weeks don't turn into months.

At the end of part 3, I realized the error of my ways. I had failed to notice that one of the hinges was irrevocably buried beneath a 2x4, never to see the light of day unless I: a) dismantled the coop and started over or b) bought another hinge and faked it.

 That's when JudyB came to my rescue and offered up a brilliant alternative.


It's taking a village to build this chicken coop, but we're getting it done.


The further we progress, however, the more difficult this is getting. Last weekend I spent more time 
arguing with the caulking gun and the reciprocating saw than I did building. 


Nonetheless, we've got skylights and one roost to show for our efforts. And as long as no visitors show up anytime soon and 
try to hang their clothes in the guestroom closet, no one will ever know I've been stealing parts from the house to build the chicken palace. 
Let that be our little secret.


Here's one more secret ... the passageway, just big enough for chickens.


All it needs now is a ladder so that the chickens can leave the building.
That's on the list for this weekend.


Progress on the chicken palace has also been hampered by my ever-present helpers. It never fails. 
Every time I get some momentum going, the boys and Lucy show up to inspect and/or eat the Ranger.


I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt this time 
that they were trying to control the fly population and not eat the hood. 

15 comments:

  1. are you going to host a chicken palace warming party when construction is complete? ;-)

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  2. Now if I were a chicken I would like my new winter home. Keep going it is turning into a palace. I hope the egg nests are close to your door so you can just reach in a grab a few. It's like winning in Las Vegas. Life is good! Give's me an idea for a "Name that Palace game!" What do you think?
    Best always, Sandra

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  3. I don't know why my brain doesn't work like JudyB's brain. Her idea is perfectly simple, but I would never have thought of it. The chicken palace is coming along great. I won't show it to my chickens, as they would be wildly jealous.

    I'm guessing you don't park your truck near any helpful horse or donkeys? :)

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  4. Am so glad that I could be small part of the village and help with the palace raising. You're doing a fabulous job and the girls will really appreciate your efforts this winter!

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  5. Wow, skylights. That really IS a palace you're building. I like it. Can't wait to see the boudoir when it's all done.

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  6. I'm still impressed ... you just keep going and going and the end result is going to be OUTstanding! Lucky ladies who get to live there!!

    I have a friend who took her brand new SUV into the pasture to check on her horses ... while giving some some lovin', the others bit into the hood and left huge tooth marks. She laughed about it and said she shouldn't have been so lazy and should have switched to her Gator or the tractor.

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  7. Wow! And skylights, too. It's all looking fabulous and the near-fatal-flaw has simply become a funny-lil-anecdote. I love your village helpers!!
    But if I'm honest, I'll fess up that the concerning thing that's at the front of my mind after reading this post is that the clothes rod is missing from the guest room closet.
    :-)

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  8. Wow. The chicken palace looks great. Nice of JudyB to help you out with your hinge issue. :) Who says equines are color blind? They know green when they see it! :)

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  9. If it is in their space, they get to try it out...who knows, it could be as much fun as the cones!
    Amy

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  10. OK, fatal flaw notwithstanding, I'm still impressed with your skill, ingenuity, and perseverence! And for having clever friends like JudyB!

    Wish I were a chicken - I'd reserve a spot on that clothes rod.

    Nancy in Iowa

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  11. Perhaps an easier approach might be:
    -take trusty sabre saw with a metal blade
    - very delicately saw under boo-boo hinge through the 3-4 screws that you have placed
    -screws will be soft steel, easy to cut
    -once screws are cut, take trusty vice grips and pull out hinge
    -time invested: 20 min. (15 min. to find said tools)
    -if no sabre saw, use skill saw with metal cutting blade...
    -"Dad" would be proud!! :>)

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  12. That is one Fantastic Chick Chateau!

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  13. Oooh! Oooh! Linda! Best thing we ever did in our chicken coop, (besides put it on wheels) is to cover the floor with vinyl flooring. Makes it uber-easy to clean out. I highly recommend it. Also helps if there are any water spills.

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  14. Two sky lights? Chickens, schmickens. I'm moving in. ;)

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