Auger dis-connect,

We picked up the Auger post hole digger today from the John Deere dealership. It took three guys to put it on our little sub-compact tractor. I freaked out about taking it off and on ourselves. I'm of no use to lift and carry farm implements. I couldn't see how Ken could lift the auger, balance it and at the same time to connect it.  I told him we need to build a fake human helper to give him the extra hands and stability to change the auger attachment safely. I imagined a pulley frame that we could use to tie down and stabilize the auger. After much discussion (because I'm totally visual and he is completely NOT) he agreed to build the thing with me before we unhooked the auger to switch tractor implements.

At the crack of dawn we headed to Lowes. No pulley mechanism big enough, so we crossed the street to home depot, where we found pulleys rated for 300lbs and the fun began. It was challenging and enjoyable fiddling with parts to design and create this alter ego, helper thing.
I loved it! As we solved each little aspect of the design and mechanism we felt like we could create the artificial helper.  Finally, the lumber department,  quick set concrete and we were on the way home before lunch.

I wasn't taking any chances on the thing failing so we dug holes for tomatoes, then holes just to dig holes.. 38 altogether in minutes. Finally it was time to test the contraption. It worked beautifully. We had the auger high and dry in minutes. It was a beautiful thing. So beautiful in fact, when we're out digging, it could convert to a little kids swing. Awesome!  It was a good day and Ken has a new helper.

Here is the creation:
There will be a video coming on the next switch out.

Painting Day

We were certain that we can keep poultry here because there are goats and chickens nearby, but I wanted to be sure. I finally found the zoning classifications Hillsborough Municode so at least I knew what I needed to be. At Homefacts I was able to type in the address and it brought up the zoning info under Property Details. I feel relieved and excited about getting to work on the shed today.

ASC-1 - Agricultural, Single Family Conventional 

The purpose of this district is to encourage agricultural and related uses and permit single-family conventional development in a rural environment on lots containing a minimum of one (1) acre.

We're going with the same color as our other outbuildings as we have 5 gallons of leftover paint, and one gallon of trim paint. On the inside I used up 3 pint paint samples for the first coat.  
We really liked one of the colors so we picked up a gallon of exterior latex for the final coat, and try to stretch the pint sample of the accent color.

One major problem with the shed was roofing nails protruding an inch into the space. Normally this wouldn't matter, but I'm not sure how high chickens can or will fly to roost. Cutting off all the nails seemed a horrible task and we can't drive them back and lift the roof. We thought foam board insulation would tuck up there nicely, not too heavy, easy to cut and the nail ends would be gone.

I wasn't sure if glue would affect the foam and I didn't want a huge mess if it didn't work. Best scenario would be to just prop them up. At first I thought trim but I didn't want any sagging so a version of cross bracing seemed like a good idea. 1x3x8  boards were  $1.50 each so I picked up 6 and 3 insulation boards.

So, while Ken was painting the trim on the shed outside with the darker contrast paint, I borrowed a pint and painted the beams and cross braces.

I was planning to paint the foam board but decided the metal-look side will be fine and we'll save the paint and if we use galvanized material somewhere else  it'll look ok.

I love the results, especially because it works functionally but looks modern. 

December 2nd update:
Had I knew then what I do now, I would have sprayed the whole outside and inside after we cut all the ventilation holes.

I had painted yellow and green inside and liked it, but after the ventilation was cut it looked horrible looking in from the outside. I've wasted paint and lots of time redoing things.
Also, the coop has morphed from my Asian Zen Tea House look into more of an Old Country Alpine look which I love also, and it's definitely back to my roots.

The order would be:
Cut holes
Spray inside
Spray outside

Shed Landing

Rooster Names

Rooster Names:  In case I get a Rooster accidentally...



Budder
Howie
Roozevelt
Crowder
Patton
Spotty
Yoda
Chappy 
Cottwald
Trigger
Big blue
Hoops
Flyboy
Captain
Spooney 
Logan
Brewster
Kinney
Freddy
Seamus
Scotty
Argo
Pablo
Iggy
Glam
Buster
Amblin
Roger
Ollie
Bruiser
Toughgun 
Yella 
Ambo 
Hondo
Yooboo 
Homey
Jackson
Roger
Chippy
Desmond
T Bird
Chevy
Caddy
Trucker
Wiseman
Gheko
Major
General

October 22 

Govenor
Cash
Reacher
Angus
Zolly
Bowie
Wonk
Poppy
Tyson
Wexler
Roadie
Train
Outlaw
Sparky
Mack
Marshall
Bangor
Wisdom
Wexler
Scruffy
Csibo
Boulder
Driver
Shade
Rocky
Parker
Rambo
Jeep
Wired
Hardway
Teele
Border
Champ
Freddie
Rockhead
Tuffie
Jackson
Bishop
Manny
Judge
Markey Mark
Beowolf
Sharkey
Sockeye
Foster
Canton

Buford
Razer

Names for Chickens

I'm sure my future chickens will get named, so I thought I would create a list of possible names I will call them. I'm keeping the names short, two syllables max. Well, maybe they will have a fancy official name, like Magdalena Von Orpenhacker who will soon become just Maggie.

Winnie
Fluffy
Soho
Foof
Betty
DeeDee
Maggie
Dearie
Itsy
Copper
Bluesy

That's a start anyway.

Feefee
Dagmar
Yodel
Shecky
Punto
Maya
Tilldy
Merrie
ChiChi
Magda
Hazel
Bertha
Pola
Blanka
Lily
Zoe
Petra
Kinga
Gretty
Dora
Mira
Ruby
Poppy
Millie
Bonnie
Cadi
Molly
Gracie
Elsie
Daisy
Lacey
Feebee
Rosie
Ellie
Maise
Jessie
Skyla

I'll need more chickens and a bigger coop.

Layla
Willow
Robyn
Rio
Yuna
Veevee
Nelly
Viva
Beegee
Khaloo 
Maddy
Sugar
Bindy
Chappy
Wonky
Fanny
Dusty
Sandy
Viola
Iman
Austine
Mazzy
Shady
Sunny
Fruitbug
Boozy
Goflow
Marcy
Glam
Shanti
Birdy
Bossy
Curley
Mossy
Flutter
Pom
Spooney
Kinney
Raja
Ollie
Minky
Moohoo
Babaloo
Chrystal
Squatty
Bingo
Bali
Coco
Zulu
Jollie
Sparkle
Netty
Trish
Roselle

I can't stop, they're such cute names

Trixie
Tempest 
Anouk
Clio
Trudy
Bronwyn
Tessie
Cilla
Isolde
Pippa
Tally
Lilou
Tansy
Gunda
Trudy
Hedda
Zora
Britta

October 21

Chica
Ashey
June Bug
Kipper
Kiki
Mora
Quirkey
Sweetness
Lovey
Donut
Wisty
Wopwop
Wookie
Wimbley
Glambam

October 22

Jezebel
Buzzy
Saucey
Smarty
Chikky
Senday
Nikita
Teacher
Beauty
Alice
Bette
Ethic
Indy
Dolly
Frankie
Prim
Sideways
Dope
Lazy
Nik Nik
Aretha
Cheryl
Gladys
Lottie
Sophie
Dottie
Nova
Peesey
Pinky
Trouble
Madam
Joleen
KitKat
Paris
Schecy
Wisdom
Moonlight
Scruffy
Nutso
Piney
Birchbark
Triva
Shade
Pransky
Poppy
Jeep
Wired
Patty
Boozle
Domino
Gertrude
Ruthie
Strappy
DingDing
Noisy
Ashley
Tuffie
Girlie
Macy
Plenti
Bestie
Honey
Velvey
Star
Filly
Oprah
Clarise
Parker
Cassie
DeeDee
Dubby
Slippy
Toffee

The shed

We looked at mail order coops, custom coops, local coops, blogs on conversion ideas. I have a large shed already I wanted to convert, but the location isn't good and it would be too expensive to move, it's huge 12x24.
So we looked around town at shed places and they were expensive! $2000 to $5000 but they were well built.  I thought it would be more fun to convert a little building than re-invent the wheel and build from scratch, I'm not that handy.
The other day Kelvin from the shed company called to say they brought in a little 8x10 repo that was a rent to own, used, bare minimum base model (which is what we wanted) so we ran over there to take a look. We're thinking it's a perfect fit.

Coop location

The spot is still waiting for chickens, got weed grass, some trees, some shade. It's ready to go.

I want Chickens

I've wanted chickens forever!
Now at the top of the bucket list, it's finally going to happen.

This was the spot in 2010
Bare, barren waiting for Chickens.