We built a chicken palace

We got some new chickens because our old ones weren't laying, but then they started to lay again, so we decided to keep them all!  But we didn't have room for them, so we decided to build them all a new house.  Yes, we know this was an ambitious endeavor, but it was the affordable option.  So, the boys learned a lot of new skills and our chickens got a new home.

We started with a floor.  

Then, we learned to frame a wall including space for a window!

There was lots of framing for all of the walls and then we worked on the siding.  

One side up at a time!  

Its amazing how that adds up quickly!

The boys worked together learning many new skills:  measuring, cutting, drilling, etc. 

And they learned how to put in a window!

Working hard with a smile.  Most impressive.

I'm pretty sure they love drilling more than anything else.  They also put in a door!

Some finishing touches.

Tall ladders are fun for spying.

Its a good thing they are tall!

The tallest of them all with his long arms did a lot of reaching and stretching.

Putting the roof on was an adventure.

It took all three of them to do it!

But it looked great when they were done.  

With the roof on it was time to start painting!

And installing nesting boxes.

And adding a little trim work.

And the last of the trim is up!

A few more nesting boxes as there are lots of chickens now!

And some fun home made roosts!

Then, the fun part was moving the chickens to their new home!

This step was not as easy as it may seem.

But once it was done they were all happy in their new home.  

We even built them a fun place to play outside with netting on top, so our pesky Leghorn quits flying out.  

Now, our chicken palace was done, but not quite.  We wanted to run water and electricity out to the chickens, so we trenched 4 ft all the way out there.  It may have taken 10 hrs to do it, but the boys stuck with it!  Uncle Bryce came to help with the electricity and plumbing and the boys did the rest.  They have been filling that trench ever since!

Even Simon likes to fill the trench!  

It has been a long journey of hard work, learning new things and late nights, but it is done.  Our chickens have heat, light, water and much more!  They all seem happy and even some of the little ones are starting to lay.  I know it wasn't easy or cheap, but we worked together and loved watching our boys learn and grow throughout the process.  It was the best family project ever!