Chicken Castle Nears Completion

Front side with doors closed

Yesterday I completed the nest boxes and added two roosts inside the coop. The nest boxes look nice and cozy, and I certainly would want to lay my eggs in there if I were a chicken. At this point we have had the chicks since mid May so they are between 10 and 13 weeks old now. They have been sleeping in the run on the roost I hung from the rafters and they seem to love it.

When I put them back in the castle yesterday, Sadie was the first one to hop up in the new roosts I installed. Sitting on these new roosts, they can see outside easily so I'm sure they will like that.

Front with all doors open

Here is a shot of the inside of the coop with the roosts and nest box installed. That's Matilda trying to see what's up there. Below is is a shot of the nest box detail. I added a sloping piece at the top to provide more privacy and to make sure it didn't end up being used as another roost. The boxes are 14 inches deep and about 13 inches wide. The inside is about 16 inches at the tallest part so they will have plenty of room once they get in there.

When we are home on the weekends and in the evening I have been letting the girls run around the yard. They love to get out and explore the yard. They often run along the ground flapping their wings while squawking.

So now the wait for our first eggs begins. I expect to see them around the end of October, just about the same time we are expecting our second grandchild. That will be an exciting time indeed.