Monday, October 6, 2008

Fall Cleaning

We use pine shavings in our chicken coop. We put them in when we first built the coop back in April. Since then, we have just kept putting more and more on top. Then we sprinkle some DE on it, to absorb moisture. This way, we only have to clean the coop twice a year, in fall and spring.


This was the first time we had to clean it. We had some nice cool weather, so I said we better do it now. We didn't have anything to put it in to dispose of, so I decided to shovel it on a tarp. Then we could pull the tarp, and dump the shavings where we wanted them.


My son and I started shoveling, but after a while my husband started feeling sorry for us, so he helped too. It still got pretty hot in there working.


All of the chickens were in the yard, except for two. A yellow Buff Orpington named Ella and an Easter Egger named Fluffy. They stayed the whole time while we shoveled and cleaned. I thought we would have scared them off, but they were intent on laying their eggs. This was exciting, cause I've never actually caught Fluffy on the nest before. I was wondering if she would lay blue/green eggs or brown eggs. Some EE's lay brown instead of Blue. Which would have been okay, since my other EE, Daredevil, has been laying blue eggs already.


Later, much later, we found out that she laid this blue/green egg. Not as blue as Daredevil's eggs, but still very pretty. I am so excited to have 2 EE's who lay colored eggs.


The result of all our hard work- a coop you can lay down in. Just in case you are wondering, no my son never wears shirts.


4 comments:

Carolina Mama said...

Wow, I just learned a lot about the chicken coop. ;) Your son looks like a hard worker.

And Happy Anniversary! Pretty bride! And 16 years! Hvae you seen Fireproof!

Rachelle said...

Wow!! You have been busy. What is DE?? We are thinking of getting some chickens this spring. So I am getting books on them, how to care for them, how to build a coop! Have no clue on that one.
Have a great day Nancy !
Blessings-
Rachelle

Anonymous said...

Nancy, I showed this picture to Bee, and she said, "Oh my gosh! They have a chicken who lays Easter eggs!"

Rachelle said...

Nancy-

Just wanted to let you know I put a link to you in my post today. I am taking a little break. I will be checking in on ya from time to time. Be blessed my friend, you are in my prayers. Thank you for being such a good friend. Keep going, you are doing such a good job with your family!

Blessings-
Rachelle