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LOL - I needed lincoln logs when I was little, or something. I keep trying to talk my husband and myself into "good enough".

@Baymule - I agree, square is really hard with bent lumber. This is our first large project, unless you count a play tower, and I think we have a combination of ignorance and perfectionism at work here! :)

Well, I just dispatched two mice that got stuck on glue traps in my basement, with pruning shears. My daughter says I'm becoming the master of killing things. I was going to try the deep litter method with the new coop, but mostly hoping they would be outside most of the time. I know it...

@Baymule - thanks for all the links! I too had planned to have a nice, secure coop built before the chicks even arrived, but also had a lot of things come at me and keep it being pushed to the back burner. I added some nails and stakes to fortify the wire wall, but I am seeing what you mean...

thank you. knowing I CAN do it is sorta a relief. and there is always the doubt that it was the right thing to do.

Sorry, this is a bit long and graphic. I went to let the chickens out this morning and found an owl in the coop. He was big! Inch long talons and a wingspan of probably more than three feet. Big yellow eyes. After I finally shooed him out, I looked for carnage. The chickens were all huddled...

We were debating that thicker PVC or hose intended for burying to go to the permanent coop. Only problem is both buildings are across the drive, so we will need to rent a trencher and create a tunnel in either case. Might as well run electric at the same time! ;)

We moved them to the "carriage house" last night, about a 10X20 building, that was originally used as a greenhouse, then transitioned to a horse shelter. Has a half wall of cinderblock on 3 sides, then steel for the remainder of the wall and the roof, and open at one end. Gravel flooring...

Thinking the wire fencing and a tarp over the top. At least then they will have a bit more room while we finish the coop. A couple of roost poles would be easy enough to place, too. Might get that done tonight, if there's a break in the rain. I don't think I need to predator proof it a whole...

And here's why you should have the coop built before the chicks arrive (I tried to have it done, I really did!) Now that temperatures are warmer, wondering if putting them in a temporary pen with a roof might be better. We can build it larger outside!

Hmm. Seems like it is best to wait to put them to work until I am on summer break and can check on them frequently. Wouldn't get any until next spring at the earliest anyway. I wonder how far one would wander if it got out?? Probably just until it found my garden...

Nice! Glad things worked out.

And so far, predators would be possible coyotes and maybe dogs are the only things I think we have around that are big enough to take on a goat. I've heard the coyotes, but never seen them. My dog we keep close by and she responds fairly well, neighbor's dogs don't come over (although adding...

If they have ample opportunity to graze, do they try to get out much? The stiff panels probably would be the easiest; we could push them through the brush and it would simplify moving the area. Just worried they will act like toddlers and always want what's on the other side!

So, to have them be our weed whackers, we will need to contain them in the brush. Fence line between our property and the neighbor is just 5 strand barbed wire in most places, with plenty of wild woods. So we will have to add to or redo this fencing (need to check who owns the fence), and do...

@lakestarter - how much work are the goats? We were thinking of getting a couple goats and a couple hair sheep to help trim back the wild areas and maybe eventually use for meat. I'm a little worried about semi-permanent fencing for them.

Yep! :hu And more rain this week. Not that I mind the rain, the ground needs it, but :barnie!

Picture of the girls trying to make pets of the neighbor's young steers.

And we are in record highs for this time of year. Praying it doesn't hold true all summer!!

:) I grew up in West Texas - spent summers outside all day in 100+ weather and had the time of my life. Shade trees and a breeze made a huge difference. And when the water hose came out it was the best! But the humidity here makes it hard to breathe, and shade only makes a little difference...