Literally, we became empty nesters last June and began the journey of raising chickens right about mid August. For those of you that don't me very well it seems that most of my close friends find this quite out of character for me!
I on the other hand see it differently. I see it as doing something I've always dreamed of doing!
And even better is the fact that my granddaughter and I had toyed with the idea for a long time. Once I relocated my shop it seemed inevitable.
This beautiful chicken coop picture that I found on Pinterest was my inspiration.
Lucky for us we already had our "shed" that was built years ago to hold pool equipment.
It was the obvious choice for the renovation!
It's been a fun adventure for all involved. We hired David Saunders of Saunders Bradford to do the work...I cannot begin to brag on him enough!
He saw my vision from the get go and that was really fun for me!
He loved the vintage screen doors and pine shutters I chose for the outside and he made sure the inside of the coop and the "run" are secure enough for us to be able to leave them out when we are out of town.
He saw my vision from the get go and that was really fun for me!
He loved the vintage screen doors and pine shutters I chose for the outside and he made sure the inside of the coop and the "run" are secure enough for us to be able to leave them out when we are out of town.
The details that David put into this "adventure" are above and beyond the call of duty!
So, without further adieu, let me introduce you to my girls!
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| Gracie ( the Golden Cuckoo Marans) |
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| Tommy ( the Black Copper Marans) |
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| Ethel (the Easter Egger) |
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| Lucy ( the Welsummer) |
Here are Lucy and Ethel together...they are really never far apart from each other.
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| Buffy (the Buff Orpington) |
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| Star (the Red Star) |
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| Lulu (the Black Silkie) |
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| Lillie (the Dutch Bantam Frizzle) |
Lulu and Lillie were the first two chickens that we bought. We stopped off on our way home from Highlands, N.C. and brought them home even before the coop was ready.
That was quite an adventure!
For obvious reasons...these two stick together! One would think they would get picked on but the truth of the matter is they truly rule the roost. It's quite comical to watch!
I've begun to worry about myself a little...but in the end I count it as therapy to enjoy watching all of them interact! You can find me almost every afternoon down in the run with them. Their favorite treat is watermelon and they come running when they see it.
Lillie and Ethel
Zoie checking it all out!
These two are always dreaming of the outside world!
Star is the ring leader!
But at night...they tuck themselves into bed and and we don't hear a peep from them until morning!
Before too long we will have fresh eggs! They will be all different colors which is one of the reasons I chose these particular chickens. We will have blue, green, tan, olive, chocolate and perhaps salmon colored eggs!
All in all it's been a fun distraction project!
It's given me something to do and have fun with and hopefully my children and grandchildren will enjoy it as well.
We were able to incorporate an old saddlestone "mushroom" that we had as well as a vintage concrete bench into the landscape.
After all is said and done I don't just have really great chickens...I also have a really great farmer!
Lets talk soon!
