After a couple grueling weeks digging a trench, and having friends come over to do the handiwork, the electrical line running to the chicken coop has passed inspection!The Ferndale city inspector came out bright and early at the beginning of the week. We started out in the yard, where the electric line came out of the …
We did it!
This morning the chicken coop was approved for occupancy. The visit from Marc Howell, Ferndale's building inspector, was short and sweet. He immediately said it was a sturdy structure, and well weather-proofed. He asked about underground barriers, and I explained that we had buried cement pavers. If rodents or any other vermin make their way …
“Pretty much, almost, exactly.”
After two days of work in the wind, snow and sub-zero temperatures, we are about 95 percent complete with the coop. Our friend Eric showed up Saturday afternoon with pre-cut window frame pieces and a Tupperware container filled with lemon cupcakes (a gift from his wife Char). After settling in, and eating some shepard's pie …
Prepping for chicks
While we still things to finish on the coop, today Matt and I refocused on our incoming chicks. With the chicken coop inspection a week away, and chicks expected at the end of February, we figure things are about to start moving fast. We realized we had no choice: It's time to start multi-tasking our …
The doorway to victory
Still in my pajamas, I joined Matt to trudge out in the snow and ice to install the hen house door. And with the last screw put in a hinge, we have an almost-finished chicken coop! We still have an assortment of small details that we need to tend to before the girls arrive, but …
Inspection date set!
It's official! We will have the chicken coop inspected Jan. 29. Yesterday I received a call from Ferndale City Hall asking when I planned to submit my permit application. I was confused since I had just filled out paperwork in October. She politely explained that I had submitted for 2013, and it is now 2014. …
Inspector’s sneak peek
So this morning, as I was snuggled in with my cup of coffee, I noticed two men clomping through the snow in my neighbor's yard. They stopped near the back, and pointed at my chicken coop. My heart jumped to my throat. I wondered if there had been a complaint. I ran to the front …
The nesting box
Never underestimate the power of a dozen doughnuts. That small box from Dutch Girl Donuts on Woodward in Detroit singlehandedly fueled a productive five-hour day on the chicken coop. Today Matt and I worked like a well oiled machine. Each task seamlessly led to the next; the only loss for the day was a busted …
Chicken Scratch Fever 