The chicken coop has been pieced together and fixed up over the years. Many years ago, the chickens were free range around the farm until the bobcats showed up in the day time. The bobcats were so bold, they’d even chase the hens with me in the garden. No more!

The hens are continually broody year after year, especially the bantams we adopted in 2020. Now, we are up to 30 chickens, and it was time to expand again. It was on my mind for quite a while to build in the back, but in a sense, I did not want to “offend” the neighbors across the creek. The house was sold, and in conversation with the new neighbors, they loved the idea of being able to watch the chickens from their deck. Yeah!!!

July 21, 2024

Farmhand Will Burke, with my helpful husband, starting clearing out the dirt and redwood leaf duff from the area. In the 1800s, this is where the small gauge railroad took redwood trees to the mill in town, formally called Pacific Mills. The area had old metal irrigation pipe, an old ceramic stove pipe, etc.

July 28, 2024

The summer project was for Will and I to build the coop. First step was to measure and figure out the distance and then dig and cement in the 4×4 posts. We started with the creek side. I decided instead of wiring in the whole inside of the coop for predator protection, we would put the wire around the outside edges to prevent digging.

On the coop, corrugated plastic paneling was added all around. At the time, we adopted rescued turkeys from Farm Sanctuary, and I wanted them to be warm. We ripped of the plastic from the back and improved the frame with pressure treated wood and stainless steel wire.

Will used his auger to make the post holes. But, we hit cement. What? We remembered that the previous owners had told us that there used to be a basketball court. So, with that hiccup, Will and I used pier blocks as a quick fix.

August 4, 2024

On this Sunday, Will leveled and trimmed the top of the posts, and we added the bottom boards. The run measured 32 ft. long. The width was going to be 8ft. wide. I was having second thoughts about it being so narrow, and I felt bad asking Will to dig out the hillside. We were taking it step by step, week by week.

August 18, 2024

The back row of posts was done. Now, Will started digging down and out to add the stainless steel hardware wire for predator protection.

August 23, 2024

The fir tree had to go! We decided to have it cut down as fir trees are dangerous and blow over in storms. Also, we had hillside oaks trimmed. It’s always wise to have trees removed prior to building. And, as you can see from this photo, the tree climber ended up with a branch smashing our gate. I would dread having limbs crashing through roofs.

September 1, 2024

After digging the trench 2ft deep and 1ft wide, it was time to add the wire and staple it to the bottom board.

September 8, 2024

Covering the wire with dirt, adding the middle 2x4s and wire, and removing plastic paneling from the back coop to prepare for the next row of posts.

September 26, 2024

It was time to pass off the build to a great handyman named Ben. Will and I had been chugging away since July, and 4 hours a week was not enough time. I wanted this project wrapped up, and it was getting harder to make it super accurate, especially with a sloped roof and 3 doors. Thanks to Ben’s experience, he advised for a 10ft. wide coop and gladly dug out the hillside for this expansion.

I was so impressed and relieved to see fast and accurate progress every day.

September 29, 2024

I originally wanted to just do a wire roof. I realized that it would end up being a covered mess of redwood duff poking through the wire and filled with mud puddles and rain all winter. After Ben started the roof, I asked him to change the slope, add corrugated plastic panels for roofing, and install a gutter with drain tube into the creek. I am SO glad we went with this upgrade for the chickens to enjoy a clean and dry environment all year.

October 7, 2024

October 12, 2024

The project is done! So happy for the chickens!