Back to school...

This was my second day back to school this term.
I am studying for a master of science in rural planning and development. Today's class was Recreation & Tourism Planning. This course is an intensive 6-week course (twice a week).
I also have two other classes this summer - so working part-time will be a lot of pressure.

In July I will be doing field work on Pelee Island, Ontario with my economic development class. I am sure I will have lots of pictures to post of my adventures there.

Here's to wine and birds.....

Chicken Coop Progress

We are progressing well on our coop. However - the chicks are now four weeks old and we are running out of time. But it is ready enough that they can spend some time outside each day as long as it is warm enough. As you can see, the roof is not on yet.

Yesterday was 14C and a bit windy, but they went out anyway for about an hour and a half; they did not want to come in.











Here is the coop - standing. I primed/painted as we went so it would be easier.

















This is the back/side. You can see that it is completely blocked off at the back - it will have windows soon. The idea is to have it look like a shed to passerbys.

We aren't exactly illegal here - but the lack of a by-law doesn't mean that there won't be one passed if neighbours, dog-walkers or other nosies complain.

Actually, we consulted our immediate neighbours first - always a good thing in such cases.

Chicken Coop

Our chickens are fine in their brooder for now, but they will need a real coop when they are about six weeks old.

I set out designing a coop that would be esthetically pleasing, warm, and big enough for four large birds, yet small enough for our tiny backyard.

We will keep you posted on our progress.

Chickens

Having chickens in our backyard has been a dream for a long time. However, there were so many questions: What about a municipal by-law? How will they make out in the winter? What kind to buy? On and on...

We checked out some books last September from the library at the University of Guelph, where I am also a student. We scoured the Web.

Finally, we were ready. Or at least we took the plunge and order these tiny babies from Huron Bay Co-operative (Markdale, Ontario). They arrived April 21st.