Making progress around here has honestly been a little bit of a battle between what needs to be done now, what can wait and what we actually have the funds to do. We have spent a lot of time scratching our heads over the greenhouse coop and trying to decide what would be best for our chickens.
After going back and forth, we have decided not to use the greenhouse as their permanent coop. We are just too concerned about how hot it could get during the warmer months, and their health and safety have to come first. Instead, we are going to convert one of our storage buildings into a coop and connect a large run to it.
But I’m also really excited because this means the greenhouse will actually be used as a greenhouse! I have always wanted one, so even though the original plan changed, it feels like it may have worked out exactly how it was supposed to. Hopefully, by next week, I’ll be in there sowing seeds for our early spring garden!
Our little babies are officially in that awkward, ugly-chicken phase right now. They are losing their baby fluff, growing feathers in every direction and looking a little questionable… but we still think they’re cute.
We have also added some beautiful, fluffy-footed Blue Copper Marans hens to our flock. Our plan is to pair them with our Blue Ameraucana rooster and eventually hatch some gorgeous olive eggers! We are so excited to see what their chicks and egg colors will look like.
We all have our bets on which chicks are roosters, and we have even started giving some of them names. We could be completely wrong, of course, but that has not stopped anybody from choosing favorites. We have also been making an effort to spend more time with them, and I really think they are starting to warm up to us.
Hopefully, over the next few weeks, we will be able to finish their new home and begin transitioning them outside. I cannot wait for them to feel the grass, scratch around in the dirt and finally experience life outside the brooder.
Progress may be slower than we would like, and our plans may keep changing, but we are getting there one decision and one project at a time. Before long, these awkward little babies will be happy, healthy chickens enjoying their new home… and I’ll finally be starting seeds inside the greenhouse I’ve always wanted.
Hopefully more exciting updates coming soon!
Love,
Fowler Homestead
