Our Flock- Introducing the "Girls"

Pollyanna and Talullah

The coop was built, names selected..all we needed was the chickens!  We heard of a nice man down the road..with chickens so we loaded a dog crate and headed out. Hubby and I agreed we would only get 5 hens . When we arrived, we found he had lots of chickens, roosters and even German shepherds for sale. I felt a little overwhelmed. We  finally selected 2 barred Plymouth rocks, 2 buff Orpington / Barred Rock crosses, and one bantam hen. Then..I saw a Rhode Island Red and a Blue-Black hen that were so pretty.... so we are up to 7.  Hubby insisted it was time to go.. We were already 2 over and I think he was afraid I might try to slip a German shepherd into the truck. ( I probably would have)

Henrietta and Lucille

Matilda -the banty

Abigail

Ruby

All of these hens were in a pen together so we knew they were already "friends".  They were about 14 weeks when they came to us . They settled in fine in the chicken run and pecked every blade  of grass and bug in site. They weren't too crazy about going inside the coop that hubby had worked so hard on. We tried for several nights to bed them down inside, but they would have no part of that. Instead, they all roosted on the rails of the run. It was so cool to see how they started "going up", trying to get as high as they could when the sun started going down. Silly birds..there was a great loft right inside the Coop! We decided we would not obsess about it..but were very excited when they finally started going inside!

So...the adventure indeed had begun !

It's Just a Chicken Coop

We aren't sure who came up with the idea, but we have decided to raise chickens! I've read all I can and have even created Pinterest boards on Coops and Chickens so I guess that makes it "official". We have already raised quail, puppies, kittens, and two daughters so it can't be that hard, right?  We have even watched the movie  The Egg and I  more times than I am willing to admit.

                                       First things first ...we had to Name the Chickens.
               Yes,we are counting our chickens before they are hatched, but how much fun is this?

Next- The Coop! 

This is where the adventure really began. We researched and looked at multiple Coop ideas and finally my brave hubby decided he could figure it out without us spending a fortune on Coop kits or expensive plans. My job was self-appointed  "Quality Control / Supervisor" but I admit he did all the work. He kept saying he wasn't a carpenter, but he couldn't be more wrong in my opinion. He has done an awesome job!  His favorite phrase has become "It's just a chicken coop".  

HOME DEPOT has always been one our favorite stores. We made frequent visits during this project. This was the beginning of many loads of lumber and other materials. Hubby ended up having to buy a new nail gun and staple gun during the process. 

Hmmmm... A bit convenient, huh? 

Ahh, the base of the coop . I've been teased by my Son-in -Law that this is where the dead chickens will fall. Our first goal is that there will be no dead chickens before their time!

Everything is starting to shape up. We had to have a window and a door of course. 

Love the nesting box so that we can reach in and pick up ALL the eggs our chickens will lay (how is that for positive thinking?)

I am really getting excited now and am so proud of how creative my hubby has been . This is more wonderful than I ever imagined .

My designer daughter ( and Crimson Tide grad) selected the colors for the house and plans on adding a window box as a finishing touch!  See the weathervane? That is my final touch! It is perfect. We covered the bottom of the coop and the run with  1/2 inch hardware cloth (which I had never heard of).

It is finished!! I am so happy. Now we are ready for chickens!

Chickens aren't even here yet and we have already have a snake at the coop. This is not cool!

We have worked hard to make the chickens a safe place so hopefully the critters will leave them alone. 

I hope to be able to introduce "the girls" soon. Stay tuned :)

Under the Magnolia Tree

Call me crazy, but I have always felt that all Southern homes should  have at least one magnolia tree. Despite the hundreds of oaks, hickory , and dogwood surrounding us, there was not a magnolia in sight! That is,until recently.  On Mother's Day, hubby surprised me with 2 beautiful magnolias ! We found the perfect spot in the backyard so that they could have plenty of sunlight and room to grow...dug the holes..and now we just watch them grow.

I imagine these two beautiful trees towering over the back yard and being enjoyed by my children and grandchildren for years to come. I am already planning my Christmas mantle and table adorned with the big beautiful leaves. How pretty would a wedding or garden party be under a  big, blooming magnolia ? 

                                               

     Under the Magnolia Tree

Under the Magnolia tree my daughters and I

Warmed by the sun in the southern sky

With our big floppy hats and sipping our tea

For this moment  today, fine ladies are we.

Lace napkins on our laps and Granny's tea cakes

A string of pearls and that's all it takes.

So, barefoot and laughing you'll find us three

Wrapped in  the arms of our lovely tree.

                                                                  cm

The first tree goes in ...

Boo was trying to help plant the the second tree. 

Our first blossom :)



Until next time..