chicks, huh

OK, here's a brief catch up on the 3cAd girls since the first OC post a couple weeks ago . . .
(these are all snap shots and half of 'em are from my iPhone--which is a pretty sucky camera phone--so bare with me)



The girls had their first tour of the coop--at this point I'm proud they can all stay up on the perch.



This is a common afternoon event, me reading a magazine with my legs propped up on a chair and all the girls deciding they want to come up and chill. I think you can make out some scratches on my shin, by Sallie's head.



Here the girls are peering in the basement window . . .



. . . and here's their first visit to the kitchen--30 seconds in and already poop on the floor. This was not an encouraged visit, and we try to keep 'em out these days. They are very curious . . .



This is the Day after the Open Coop bbq. I put Noodie up on the grill for the photo . . . she started pecking at all the chicken drippings on the grate, so I took her down.



You know that song "Surfing Bird" by the Trashmen?


Chillaxing on the table.



Salad Sandwich.



Free rangin'.



A little table top photography.



A little discussion . . .


What I didn't capture between these two shots was Sallie flying up and landing right on Noodie.
I'm not sure how the pecking order is going to unfold.




Pie. When she puts on six more pounds I don't think she's going to be able to sit on the back of that chair anymore . . .



In case you were worried about the grill picture, do you really think I'm going to eat them?


Sid the dog coming to say hello. He's totally fine with them now, and everyone can hangout in the yard unsupervised.



I got a little bored with the chickens and figured the coop could hold one more, so I ordered one of these little china girls everyone has here (probably the coolest status symbol in Portland after a Prius and backyard chickens).
No, that's my neighbor Annie--she comes over quite often to hangout with the girls. She probably handles them more than any of my roommates, actually.

OK, that's pretty much what I haven't been blogging about.



www.JoshuaJayElliott.com

The Complex is done! (well, 99% done)

Living is good at the Wagner Home for Delicious Chickens . . .




Everything is in place now, The run is attached to the coop and base (I will henceforth refer to the whole unit as The Complex) and the hardware cloth is attached all around. Tomorrow I'll fill in the corners and stake it down .



The girls inside . . . perhaps the last time we'll see grass here.



Eating from their new feeder . . . so big . . .



You can see the waterer next the to the feeder . . . I now realize once they're full grown the waterer will have to move, but for now I'm just very proud it's all worked out.



Another view with the little ladies out in the run.



So many stories with the girls since the first post here . . . we had an Open Coop BBQ here two weekends ago, and the next morning I slept in (after letting the girls out to free range--this was pre-enclosed run) to be woken up to my room mate saying "Josh, I can't find Noodle Soup" [note of dread in her voice].
I groggily walk outside and immediately hear the somebody's-missing-peep going on. I peer over the fence to my left, and Noodie is walking around on the neighbor's deck. While usually not the most adventurous, she certainly is the best flyer--that was a 6 foot fence. I called her, and she hopped back up on the fence (it's not as high from the other side), so I grabbed her and put her back with the others, who immediately stopped their yapping. That has been the only trip over the fence . . . so far.



Now I know some of you experienced coop'ers are saying my run is too short--how am I gonna clean it out.



By opening the lid! Full standing height, with only half the fencing cost.



The egg door with dual latches--no raccoon can open both at the same time.


Someday this is where the goodness will be . . .



www.JoshuaJayElliott.com