Carl

Roosters.... who knew they were so cool. I didn't. Whoever, this guy has stolen my heart. Originally Caroline, Carl sneaked his way into the coop. We weren't planning on having, or keeping, a rooster, but I could never part with him now.

As much as I love eggs, I may love this kid more. He's the first to come running, will sit in your arms, and is a stud. He's about 3 months old now and is just starting to get his saddle feathers. Can't wait till he's a full fledged Roo.

2013 Westrate Coop Raising: Part 3

And on and on it goes. I just keep telling myself we're going to finish this. Every weekend brings us closer, but I'm a little tired of working on projects every weekend. Such is our life though, it's really our own fault.

Anyhow, here is the latest photo update of the coop. It's fully functional and the ladies and Carl have been sleeping in it for a week now. #nomorechickensinthehouse We're currently working on the run so that we can leave for long weekends and not worry about anyone getting eaten. We got pretty far this past weekend. Not as far as I would have liked, but that's generally how it goes.

Window and door holes cut, interior painted.

Interior, I kind of ran out of vinyl. Oh well.

And then there were windows.

Trying to keep them from constantly dumping their water and food. It's still a work in progress.

It's not pretty yet, but it works!!!

Interior shot, temporary roosting pole. I'm going to glam up the inside, but I just wanted it to be functional for now.

The chicks first night in the coop.

Run construction. Don't worry, I'm painting the door.

2013 Westrate Coop Raising: Part Two

Amateur hour continues on the Westrate homestead. God blessed us with some beautiful weather to get some more work done on the coop. It's really starting to come along! Hoping to have everything functional by this weekend.

2 sides done and a roof. Hopefully I'll have completed coop pictures for you soon!

2013 Westrate Coop Raising: Part One

Ok friends, last weekend was the official 2013 Westrate Coop Raising! The size we finally decided on is an 8'x8' coop raised 2 feed off the ground with an 8'x16' run. We tried to make the size economical so that we are wasting as little material as possible. We got rained out on Monday, so the Coop Raising will go into next weekend, but you can't control mother nature. Chicks are in the house for one more week. What ya gonna do?

Below is a quick photo rundown of our 2 days pretending to be carpenters.

Just in case it floods?

Belle, not overly impressed with her new digs.

First side framed in!

The exact moment we both realized we may have gone a littler overboard. 

The ladies enjoying their first day in the sun.

The Ladies Have Arrived!!!!

The ladies are in the building! And heaven help me they are as cute as can be! We got 8 chicks over the weekend. I love their little fluff butts.Who knew chickens were so cool. The breeds we ended up with are 2 Laced Wyandottes, 3 Easter Eggers, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Black Australorp, & 1 Barred Plymouth Rock. We are in the process of naming them.

Tansy- Golden Laced Wyandotte

I'll post more photos as I have time and they all have names.

On the house front, we got a lot accomplished as well. The water heater, water softener, filtration system, and kitchen sink are all done. The cabinet faces are all painted and we're waiting on our hardware to arrive. We'll be installing appliances for the next couple of days and Brad needs to caulk the trim... and then we move. Life is happening so fast!

The Future Ladies of the Coop

I've got about 50% of the supplies for the coop. I'm really excited to start the building project. I found some used cedar planks on Craigslist for the siding and thanks to some friendly folks from Facebook I got all the plywood I'll need for free! Even better quality than I was planning on getting too. I'd love to do the majority of the coop out of recycled materials. Doesn't hurt the bank account nearly as badly either so the hunt for more upcycled materials continues. I think all I really need now are about 4 4x4 posts, 2x4's for the framing, and some screening for the run area. We'll see how much I'm able to scrounge up.

In other news, I've finally landed on my chicken breeds. I've added some pictures just for fun.

2 Wyandottes- These hens lay on average 4 large brown eggs a week. They'll top out at about 7-8 lbs and are supposed to be pretty easygoing.

Silver Laced Wyandotte

Gold Laced Wyandotte

Welsummer- I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to find this one. I haven't seen it any of the local farm supply stores, but I'm hoping to hunt one down at the animal swap next month. They lay on average 4 dark brown eggs a week, are 6-7 lbs, and supposed to be pretty friendly.

Welsummer Pullet

Easter Eggers- I'm getting at least 2 Easter Egg Chickens. You never really know what you'll get with these gals as they are simply defined as chickens with the blue egg gene but don't fit into any specific breed. They generally lay 3-4 blue or green eggs a week. Hoping to luck out and get both a blue layer and a green layer.

White Easter Egg Hen

Cochin- This one is just for fun. They are super cute and super friendly, but only lay about 3 eggs a week, which will be the least productive girl of the group. That's ok, cause she'll have style. I just love how fluffy they are!

Blue Cochin Hen

And though I'm not currently planning on a rooster, if I ever do get one, I'm getting a Phoenix. Another rooster simply will not do. He will be named Hanz.

Silver Duckwing Phoenix Bantam

I still really would like a Sultan as well, but apparently those are pretty difficult to find. We'll keep our fingers crossed for King Cluck.

Chicken Coops for the Soul

Since I don't have any new house photos to share, I'll bore you with some future plans.

I have been promised chickens. Well, I have been promised that I will be allowed chickens. I'm pretty sure this means that I have to take care of them and Brad will tolerate them. As Spring creeps closer I am getting more and more excited to add to our furry, or in this case, feathered, family. My first step is finding the perfect coop. We can't just have any old coop in the backyard. It has to be "The Coop". I have high standards.

#1 I has to have a completely enclosed run area.

#2 It needs to house at least 10 hens.

#3 I want something that is easy to clean.

#4 It MUST look pretty. I like pretty things.

#5 Budget friendly. The chickens really don't care if they have a million dollar mansion.

Here are some ideas that I've found so far...

The next step is picking out chickens. I really want a variety of eggs. I want to open my fridge and have year round easter eggs! My niece has specifically requested blue and pink eggs. I'm allowing myself one non-functional bird because I am simply in love with Sultan chickens!

This guy is a Rockstar. I dub thee "King Cluck". He came to party.

Aside from my super awesome useless chicken, breeds I'm cosidering are Brahmas, Ameraucanas, Orphington, Plymoth Rocks, Sussux, and Java, and Cochins. Anyone have any experience with chickens? I would love some recommendations on what breeds to get.