Freedom for the ladies!

Sometimes people say things that are so darn convicting... We've had a pretty cold and rainy spring so far and sadly the garden and some other outdoor projects have been neglected. Our baby chicks were about 5 weeks old when it was pointed out to me that they were old enough to be going outside and learning about the big wide world. I knew that at around 5 weeks they'd be old enough, that yes on a nice day they should be allowed to explore etc. etc. I hadn't gotten around to cutting a hole for their exit let alone building a safe run that would allow them to explore without being EATEN ALIVE. (so I kept justifying not getting out there and doing it!) I assumed that by June we'd actually have had a few sunny days and that it would have been done already. So there I was feeling like a total slacker and realizing that in fact my girls were very quickly outgrowing their little indoor palace. I recruited my handy hubby and we got to work on the next non rainy evening.

We cut the hole!

Demps wasn't a fan of the skil-saw...I don't blame him, that sucker was LOUD in the coop!

I'm hoping my idea is as clever as I think it is (I've been having issues with this concept lately!) I used an old doggie door we had lying around and can easily close it up tight at night. My only concern would be that the girls might get too big to fit through?! Not sure, I'm still new to chicken raising but hubby thought it was a good idea! =) And eventually we'll trim it out so that black tar-paper isn't so darn ugly looking! =)

We built a ramp so they can get outside and then Demps proudly showed our favorite "Squirrel" how to use the door and ramp. She's such a patient and gentle little hen!

Then the others started to figure it out too! I am so proud of these girls!

We're introducing the girls to the dog and one of the cats. So far Lily (Our older black lab) isn't sure what to think and is actually a bit afraid of the hens. Our tom-cat Little Buddy is sure they'd make a good supper. He's quite the hunter and is definitely on the prowl for fresh chicken meat. I'll be keeping my eye on him! Zoe (our lab puppy) is with Little Buddy on this one and sees the hens as a fancy feast. She remains tied up on her leash during the day as she keeps trying to jump the fence and attack the girls. (NOT acceptable behavior!) The other cats just circle the fencing but haven't yet figured a way to get into the run so for now we're all safe. In the end we'd like them all to co-mingle nicely and all be free to roam the property. I've become very attached to these hens and would be sad if anything happened to them.

In the recent days Geezer has started roosting on one of the poles and they're all laying around as if they want to lay an egg or something. We're all waiting anxiously for that exciting time to arrive. I don't believe I've ever actually eaten a truly farm fresh egg. I'm so excited! =)
Of course the picture of Pierce inspecting the area was a must to include in this post. 

Beach Fun!

I've been wanting to take the boys to the beach for quite a while now. We got the opportunity to go and enjoy the company of "Oh-Ma" and "An-Em" on one of the few sunny days we've had this season! It was gorgeous!

An-Em working to teach the boys how to throw and skip rocks.

This shot cracks me up...An-Em was teaching Demps how to throw rocks into the water then he gave it a go and nearly clocked her in the head...he's got a great arm, just not that great of aim yet! Luckily she saw the humor in it too! =)

 Dempsey was begging to go into the water but once he realized it was so cold he wasn't sure that it was a good idea anymore!

Oh-Ma made some carrot and raisin salad. Pierce was enjoying it so much he ended up shoveling it in and making a huge mess all over the place. Luckily at the beach there aren't any floors to mop! ;-) This recipe will be going into the arsenal of favorite and digestible foods for the little guy!

He, well I'm not sure what he was trying to do in this picture but he thought it was pretty funny!

Me, Dempsey & Pierce (one of just a handful of pics of ALL three of us together...)

Oh-Ma, Dempsey and Pierce

What a fun and memorable day!

Tractor Time

Dempsey had a great time today with our farmer friend "Harvey" on his tractor. He farms silage corn in Carnation. When they were done, Demps was so cute and proud telling me that they had tilled up the dirt for the corn they were going to plant for the cows to eat! Harvey asked him if he wanted an excavator or a tractor when he grows up. My little smartie replied "both" : )