Cluckingham Palace

It all started with my modest little coop that I ended up adding on to.

(because of chicken math- you go to get 2 chickens, end up bringing home 4).

But our modest little coop was turning 8 years old,

and it just wasn't in good shape any more.  

Wood began to rot, and it was time for a replacement.

So we headed over to the local big box hardware store,

and 3 large carts later, we started the new 8x10' shed for the chickens.

Big E and I spent some time checking out some of the sheds at a local retail shed lot.

We took measurements and made notes on what we liked and didn't like.

Mostly I took notes on what I liked and didn't like.

And then the work began.

We used pressure treated lumber for the pieces closest to the ground and

put those on top of cinder blocks to help prevent rot.

One the floor joists were done, we laid out the floor.

Then we started the process of putting up the walls

and the roof trusses.

It was a whole family effort.

My son in law, grandson, son and mom all helped get it completed.

We had a deadline of the beginning of November

because I already had 3 new Guineas coming and had purchased 

early bird tickets for a local chicken swap

hoping to score some more birds.

 

Wasn't too long before we had the T1-11 siding going on

and the plywood being put on the roof.

Once the shingles were on, we only had to build a door, 

nesting boxes and roosting bars to be fully functional.

We used the 2 small windows from our old coop to put on the front.

We have plenty of roosting space and nesting boxes for additional birds.

I now keep 50 pounds of feed in a metal trash can in the coop.

We also used the old PVC feeders from the old coop only now they are completely inside the coop

instead of being on the outside.

The waterer made out of a 5 gallon bucket with side nipples is also kept in the coop.

We have a sliding door that we can raise and lower without going into the coop or run. 

It works on a rope run through eye bolts that can be tied to a cleat on the side of the coop to keep it open.

We weren't able to build the permanent run before the weather changed, 

but we've utilized the existed fencing, some netting and T-Posts 

from a temporary run we had to make a run they can be safe from 

most predators during the day.

At night they're all locked up tight in the coop.

We still have some finishing touches to do.

We plan on installing 3 more larger windows (18"x22") 

on each of the other walls to provide more natural light and ventilation in the summer. 

I'd like a small loft built to provide an area to store the 

bales of shavings and straw to keep them up off the floor.

I also want to install linoleum on the floor to protect the wood from moisture

and make it easier to clean and disinfect when needed.

And of course, we need a secure run.

We finished just in time for all the new birds.

I call the shed

Cluckingham Palace. 

So far it houses 3 Guineas King Richard, Beatrice and Eugenie,

the 4 original hens- 2 Barred Rocks Louise and Bertha, the Light Brahma Daisy and the Naked Neck who is still unnamed.

I've added a blue laced red Wyandotte, a standard white silkie,

an orange and white Satin Silkie named Beaker, a bantam silkie named Fuzzball, 2 Salmon Favorelles- one named Jaws the other nameless, an Ameraucana still unnamed and a black bantam cochin my friend had to rehome who we think is going to be called Raven Lucretia.

She's kind of a bad ass. 

I have 3 more pullets coming in a couple of weeks:

another Ameraucana, another Light Brahma and a Blue Rock.

I'm sure there will be many more chicken posts to come in the near future along with some updates about things around the house.

We've been pretty busy around here!

Bathroom Update

    It's been a while since I've posted anything here.  I'm going to blame it on the corona virus because that's what I'm using as my 2020 scapegoat.  The fact of the matter is, we've been super busy as a family.  Sometimes with scouting activities, sometimes with our jobs and sometimes with the work that's going on in the house.
     One of the things that we've been working on diligently since the Covid 19 outbreak is the downstairs bathroom.  This bathroom has been gutted for quite some time, but with the stimulus check and the cancellation of all our other extra curricular activities, we were able to get started on it again.  So Big E, my dad and I hit the Lowe's for supplies to get things rolling.

     Yes, they were less than thrilled at the photo op (but hey, we need to record history) and yes, masks are excellent at hiding extra chins (This is the only good thing about masks).  Armed with a list, we purchased drywall, cement board and floor tile.  I am especially excited about the floor tile.  While this bathroom is getting an overhaul and a 21st century upgrade, I am doing my best to keep as many elements close to the style of the early 1900's as possible.  I had chosen a floor tile that was all white with hexagons and small diamonds.  I was not super crazy about it. Mostly I disliked the diamond shapes. I wanted just a small hexagon pattern.  So, when we went to get the floor tile, I pointed out to Big E the tile I REALLY wanted to get.  It's a hexagon marble tile, and it was about $4 more per square foot. Big E and I typically disagree on things- we just have different tastes and visions (but really, we all know who's right). Surprisingly, he liked the tile too.  Then we showed my dad who also liked the tile (I mean really, there was no shrugging of shoulders or anything).  After much discussion, we ended up getting the more expensive and nicer tile.  After all, this is it. There won't be any remodeling of this bathroom once it's done.  And thanks to the virus stimulus check, we were able to do it.
     I won't be sharing a photo of the tile just yet.  I want to save that for the big reveal that I believe is actually going to happen this year.  But here is a sneak peek at the bathroom in its current state.

   This weekend we found an antique washstand to use for storing some towels and supplies (since the linen closet is upstairs) and we found the perfect bench for the little alcove behind the shower. The washstand will be stripped and refinished in a darker stain to match the bench top, and the bench legs are going to be painted a different color to match the wall color (an aqua blue).  The shower stall has the cement board installed except for the shampoo shelf (thanks to my dad), and Big E did the first coat of joint compound on the drywall.  The pedestal sink will go on the right next to the ladder (where the pipes are coming out of the wall), and I'm working on choosing a mirror for above the sink.
     So that's it for the bathroom update so far! Check back for updates!