Back to the grind

The pumpkin pie was barely chilled from Thanksgiving, and we were back out in the yard working on the chicken coop.

The decision to get out there was a painful one. Matt and I curled up on the couch, imaging the cold air nipping at our fingertips.

“Can’t we just wait until tomorrow?” Matt asked.

Hopeful, I consulted Weather.com. Today’s high would be literally freezing: 32 degrees. But tomorrow would be closer to 40.

We looked at each other; the decision was simple. We had a chicken coop to build!

Today’s task: finish as much of the south wall. This project is complicated because this is the spot that houses the nesting box and a large window.

We made fast work on reframing a portion of the wall to correct an earlier error, then framed the window. Next, Matt installed tongue-and-groove wood along the entire wall. This was somewhat tedious, and involved cutting out small pieces that would be glued together like puzzle pieces then screwed into place.

Somehow the weather totally cooperated. The sun stayed out all day, and the high went all the way up to 33 degrees … and felt a lot warmer!

By the end of the day, all that’s left on that wall is to finish the nesting box (I need to buy more tongue-and-groove wood for that), to install wire mesh on the inside of the window and the trim work. We will build the actual window next summer.

In the meantime, we have to run up to Menards to prep for our next work day. On the shopping list: the fascia that I custom ordered, three pieces of tongue-and-groove wood, more screws and a blade for the circular saw.

Also, we’re still undecided about how to build the wood door going into the coop. We’ve consulted countless websites and photos. Sadly, the more we investigate, the more confusing it all seems. So we will wait, and hope something organic rises to the surface.

Stay tuned!