Today on the Funny Farm – Gardening and a New Coop

So, I’ve heard about planting for your chickens and decided to give it a try – as it is really past time to start my herbs and veggies.

We have three raised beds, two of which I have sectioned off in the girls part of the yard.  They love to use them for their dust bathing.  They have plenty of room for group bathing sessions.

On their side, I planted lavender, mint, lemon grass, rosemary, basil and marigolds. On our side of the yard, I planted several types of mint, green bell peppers, jalapeno  peppers, cherry tomatoes, marigolds, catnip, lavender, oregano, basil and lemon grass.

D*%# those stinkers!  Of course they all decided that our side was better than theirs.

I saved the “markers” that came with each, so I could easily tell the difference between the different types of mint. I actually used all the markers, so I can keep track of what is growing at what rate, but they pulled them out!

That wasn’t enough…they ate all the leaves off of the basil,  peppers, and catnip AND removed every single marigold flower.

We keep clipping wings and tightening the fencing, but no matter what we do, they find their way onto our side and nibble away.  When they finish for the morning, they come to the door to ask for more.

Rosie – front and center – is the main door pecker, but Foggy and Thelma will usually get into the act.

Oh, we got a new coop a few weeks ago.  It wasn’t my first choice, but it turned out really well. I got a great deal on it from Tractor Supply.  (By-the-way, I love Tractor Supply.  It’s kind of like a farm girls Walmart.  They have a little of this and a little of that and you always leave with way more than you went in for. I go for chicken feed and come home with feed, a new book, a planter or two, a few plants, a couple of bags of mulch etc. ) Took a bit of encouragement to convince the majority to move in), but now them are quite happy with the arrangement and it has more than enough room for the new pullets that we will go get later this week.

There are several coops that make me swoon.  If you’re interested here is a list of coops that makes my heart go Pitter Patter!

Well, maybe not Pitter Patter, but the new Eglu Cube Chicken Coop from Omlet, is really cool and functional.  I’d love 3 of them.  My Eglu Go UP is so easy to keep clean and my Polish Lace Hens will not sleep anywhere else. Just like the Go UP, the Cube is easy to clean, has great ventilation, and when attached to a Walk-In Chicken Run with multiple extensions, it would make for a totally protected “free range” scenario!!!

Carolina Coop from Carolina Coops ( WOW – I go all TINGLY just looking at this one!)

Round-Top Walk-In™ Chicken Coop from Urban Coop Company (So Awesome!)

Southern Charm Cottage and Metal Pen from Summerhawk Ranch (Adorable)

Tilly’s Nest Coop from Horizon Structures (Looks Well Made)

Big and Portable Chicken Coop  from Ranch-Coop (Really Practical!)

Homestead from Somerzby (Good Size)

Williams and Sonoma – yep they have a sweet coop on their site! Cedar Chicken Coop and Run with Planter

AND OH MY GOSH – If I had and extra $22k in my bank account, one of the coops from Texas Chicken Coops would be in my backyard tomorrow!