This morning I started the finishing of this grand chicken quest.
After work I rented a uhaul and set out to the place where the birds now used to live. My, what a morning!
I got there shortly before 9 this morning. The birds were shut in the coop last night to make sure we wouldn't have to chase them. I saw a meme the other day that said "it's impossible to catch a chicken. They run 8.3 mph and humans can only run 8.299 mph." It made me chuckle.
I backed up the truck right up to the coop and we cut off the legs. The two closest legs to the truck first, then we scooted that end into the truck. Repeat for the other end, and it was easily on the truck.
Getting it out proved more difficult. I was by myself for the most part. My helpers (Sam and Melissa) were not the most physical people, so they got to steer while I lifted and pushed.
They did good work, and we got it thirty yards from the truck to the south end of the chicken run in one big push. I figure it weighs somewhere around 300-400 pounds. Use your legs. Squat deep and lift.
We had to patch it fairly quickly and save some to do tomorrow because we're headed to my mother in law's home for Babo's party. Tomorrow I'll decide if we're raising it back up all the way or just a foot or so. Talking with my friend Kim who is much more knowledgeable about chickens, she mentioned that they like being under low things like decks and porches, so if it's low, we might be able to give them more play room and a little comfort space. It'll extend the size of the run and make the birds a bit more comfortable, while still providing enough room to clean the coop, which has access from the bottom and side.
As we were leaving the house, the birds were just getting comfortable enough to come out. I put out lots of 5 seed scratch for them and a full waterer, as well as the feeder full of feed.
I wish our day wasn't so busy and that I could be home with them. I can't wait to sit out back and watch the chickens!
We have chickens now!
It feels more like a homestead with every project :) as tired as I am, I'm so happy right now. My family worked hard this week. It took a lot of patience from Melissa to put up with my obsessive research and one-track focus. And Sam has been an incredible help with the task of assembling the coop and run. He's making his old man especially proud this week.
I'm going to take a nap for a bit.
Stay relevant y'all.
A very proud and exhausted Nate