Chicken COOP!

The chickens now have an outdoor coop (and we have the garage back - they were living in a dryer box on it's side in there) They are officially 6 weeks old and plenty hardy enough to venture outside in all weather. The box is closed in for now, but they have access to the yard from the front door which will be closed at night, and will have access to a fenced in run from a back door. And we can maintain and access them from the roof and side door - without having to go into the run. Matt is glad he bought a contractors box of hinges. Gates and doors abound!
We decided to put them under the deck to A. provide a protected, snow free run area that gets great east sun. B. Close to the house and utilities = easy to maintain. No excuses! C. Southern exposure for all.
We'll see how it goes! It's exciting... isn't it?
Good workers.
Nest box access.
Demonstrations.
Adjustments.
Good work.
Access door.
Under the deck! It's pretty heavy but it's got wheels, baby.
Finishing touches...
Jacko and the birds!

Everett and his chicks - 4 weeks

So here they are again, adorable and awkward all at once. They enjoy the outdoors and they aren't too hard to catch. They stay really close to where you drop them, and for the most part, always stay together. If they get separated, they peep for each other. Brothers? and sisters... awwww.

Everett and his chicks - 2wks

This was when we let the chicks in the backyard for the first time. I was paranoid that they would be hard to catch, but in retrospect it would have been fun chasing them around a bit. Good for them - they better get used to it... :0