Monday, October 3, 2011

Building the chicken palace, the conclusion ... for now

I'm having trouble remembering what life was like b.c. (before coop). Exactly how did I spend my weekends? What was it like to be able to stand up straight and not eat Tylenol for dinner? When I awoke Saturday morning, I was determined to finish this d-i-y project to end all d-i-y projects so that my life could return to normal. Whatever that is. Was.


 
I had agonized all week about attaching the drop-down doors. 
I didn't have much faith in the screws the hinges came with, so I opted for nuts and bolts.

 
Attaching the doors to the hinges was interesting. 
I couldn't convince Wynonna to help me, but my ladder proved more useful in the long rung.


By mid Saturday afternoon, I was feeling pretty damned proud of myself.


Not only were the drop-down doors dropping down as I intended, but the openings were big enough for me to crawl through and do some finishing work on the inside. It's very cozy. I think the girls will love it. And if it's sturdy enough to hold me, then it's sturdy enough to hold 43 chickens weighing an average 3.5 pounds. Put that calculator away right this minute! My point is, this structure is rock-solid. I think. Check back again in May when the winds are blowing.



I installed another roost, painted the exterior a very boring shade of tan,


and built a ladder so the girls could easily climb in and out.


This girl had to stay outside of the construction zone and she was not pleased.


But she did keep me company as I set up my woodshop along the path.


Me: Wynonna, what are you doing?
Wynonna: Making a mud puddle. If you're going to force me to be out here, I might as well be comfortable.


Me: You know I can't stand being watched while I work. Could you please go elsewhere?


Despite Wynonna's annoying supervision, I was able to miter the corners for all the trim. 


But now the trim interferes with the function of the doors. Grrrr.
Adjustments and more miter-box cuts will be required.
I shall save that do-over for next weekend.


Meanwhile, I caulked the space between the floor and the frame, wishfully thinking bugs won't be able to inhabit that area. We'll see.


So except for the drop-down door problem, coop construction has concluded. Now it's on to the hard part: deciding how to finish the exterior. Initially I thought I'd just paint the trim and be done, but that simply isn't palatial enough.


I've got some ideas brewing and will be soliciting opinions from my village of helpers later this week.


As the weekend drew to a close, the building inspector arrived and granted me the occupancy permit.

29 comments:

  1. The coop looks terrific and the girls will be quite pleased when they can move in. Great job Carson ... you rock!

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  2. Paint? Oh, I don't know. I hear chickens love tan walls. They're not into the busy decor.

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  3. Yeah, done good!
    Congrats Carson. Let the egg operation begin.
    Best always, Sandra

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  4. Color. Lots and lots of color is what is needed for the finishing touch on the Chicken Palace.
    Have to say your building skills are totally awesome. Job well done!

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  5. It looks great!!
    Please remind me---will the hens and Wynonna inhabit the same stall this winter? It looks like they will, only the hens feed will be out of Wynonna's reach.

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  6. oooooooo,aaaaaaaaaaah! Nice toys, er I mean tools ;-)

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  7. Carson, you did such a good job on this that I'm sure folks will want you to build one for them!

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  8. GREAT looking Chicken Palace!! After such a wonderful, sturdy, construction job --- a pink palace with green trim would be most fitting!! And quite stylish, too :-}}

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  9. WHOOP WHOOP!!!! Way to go Carson!!! You are the queen of DIY projects - even if you do get no help from the resident princess! HA!!!

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  10. ha... the building inspector! I'm so impressed and can't wait to see it's colors.

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  11. Estella from Co.10/3/11, 7:28 AM

    Great job...looking forward to seeing the girls in there winter home. Can't wait to see what you come what with for outside. Hugs to all.

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  12. I am very impressed. A palace indeed!

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  13. Wait, you mean that's not the guest room?

    I vote for a Georgia O'Keefe theme. Have you seen her cloud painting? I'm sure there's a paint by numbers for it. LOL

    I'm sure whatever you choose will be lovely beyond words.

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  14. Very impressive work, Carson. I vote for a Gypsy Wagon type paint job. Only a fancy paint job could do justice to the Chicken Palace.

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  15. Wouldn't you want to pain the interior or do soemthing to make cleaning easier like a sealer.

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  16. I'm very impressed with your building inspector! She knows a work of art when she sees one. :)

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  17. Did you put a hanger in for a light so you can have eggs all winter?

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  18. Wow!! The palace looks great!! You did a great job! I know the girls will love their new house.
    Anonymous is right about the heat lamp/light bulb. If you keep them warm all winter you will have eggs all winter. Love the building inspector! :) She looks like a tough cookie.

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  19. You are so amazing. That's turned out fabulous. You're a fantastic carpenter! Love your building supervisor too :)
    Tylenol for dinner? I'm so glad I'm not the only one... I however, highly recommend Ibuprofen for breakfast. Goes well with the coffee around here (3 days old)

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  20. how about a black and white cow motif...it's just about the only animal that hasn't been in the barn =o)

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  21. I love the sky lights! A big hurrah for a job will done! I look forward to the creative touches that are sure to follow.

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  22. you should be DAMNED PROUD of yourself!!!! that is amazing!

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  23. i have a question...why are the inside of the barn walls lined with wire/fencing half way up?

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  24. Purple is the color of royalty, and a little bling couldn't hurt - in the long rung.

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  25. You don't really need "heat" chickens lay because of daylight hours. A simple 75W bulb will do. I leave the light on in my hen house all night. But... when it gets below 0 they do like a heat lamp for that cozy, comfortable, let's lay an egg feeling!

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  26. Laughing my sorry little ass off! Very funny!! I'm sure the chicks will live it up in there!

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  27. It looks fantastic :). Can you get some panels that look like cladding for it? I'm thinking New England Beach Hut. One of my twitter friends made little gingham curtains for her girls, I kid you not! haha

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