Last Push on the Hen House

Last weekend, we brought out the big guns to finish off the coop, finally!

As always, the adorable Lyla was there to do her part.

Cousin Tony came back from Portland just in time to help us power through.  And, the lovely Bethany brought all the workers Bake Sale Betty Fried Chicken Sandwiches!

Finally, here's one very proud Chicken Farmer!

The Leaning Tower of Potato

This year, our fantastic gardening friends, Ellis and Ben, introduced us to the Potato Tower (see below).  Instead of uprooting your entire garden looking for potatoes you planted months ago, the Potato Tower allows you to simply unhook the wire mesh frame and watch your potatoes tumble out in front of you (at least that's what we're hoping!)

To make your own Potato Tower, plant bits of sprouted taters in layers about a foot a part near the edges of the frame.  In a few weeks, we expect to see lots of leaves bursting out the sides.  I wonder what my grandpa, the farmer, would say about this technique...?

Our Vanna, Dressed as a Duck

Dressed in her Easter finest, the adorable Lyla peaks out of the egg window she will one day open to collect breakfast.  The poor chickens though, are STILL out in the garage cause we didn't quite finish the outdoor space or racoon-proof the skylights.

Here my handsome hubby is hard at work.

Introducing the Girls!

Only 6 weeks old, our four chickens already have very distinct personalities and offer us humans endless hours of comedy.  That's me there sitting in their partially-finished coop.

FREIDA -  a Golden Sexlink (redish brown with white patches) started out as the runt but has filled out quite nicely.  Named after my grandmother (who, by the way, was totally irked the chicken in her honor wasn't pure white) is always perching and trying to fly to the highest point.  Does this obsessive behavior mean she's ready to lay?!

RUTHIE - a Barred Rock (black with white dots), named by Ted is a squawky little bugger.  She's also not so bright.  The other day we found her sitting UNDER the perch, under her sisters who were s$!ting on her back.  Poor girl!

BLANCA NIEVES- a Delaware, (pure white with a little black necklace) started out as Head Hen but has recently loosened her grip on the flock.  She's still the biggest and oh-so-beautiful!

SENSEI - a Black Astralorp (all black), might be a rooster!  That's the going thought, at least.  Unlike the others, she/he has a very flush tail and no emerging red comb.  Liza regrets not naming her something  more "girly", and we'll all be very sad if she/he ends up as dinner (Oakland doesn't permit backyard roosters). 

Palais de Poulet: Currently Under Construction

Blanca, Frieda, Ruthie and Sensei are absolutely desperate abandon their cardboard box, so we got busy last weekend making them a Palais de Poulet.  Here is Ted and Katy, before coffee, reviewing drawings and finalizing construction plans.

They hammer together scraps of lumber and I level ground.

Lyla wonders why her crazy Mom is making so much noise, and the girls just wait.