The weather was bright and sunny even if still chilly (about 35F for a high) and the chicken coop was a disgraceful thing to behold. Time to clean. I started out like this….
But within one wheel barrow load was down to this….
The before pictures. See that little blue tin under the water? A 15 watt light bulb inside kept the water from freezing even when it dropped to 20F. It hasn’t been tested lower than that but it will be later next week as we’re supposed to hit 8F (!) with 20mph wind which will put it below below zero. I noticed at least one rooster with a little frostbite on his comb already.
The somewhat reluctant help (it was so nice after days of rain I can’t say I blame them for wanting to play instead of work.)
Kalina
Some of my chickens begging to get back in. Crazy birds. Go enjoy the sun!!
Hannah and Michelle
Melissa (crocheting while waiting to go dump a load) 🙂 and Clifford
It took about 12 loads but the results…a clean coop… for a few days.
Feeding time. They were rather put out that they had to wait and thought they were starving!
I wasn’t very smart. I should have worn a mask. There was so much dust. And even some mold and mildew. By last night I could hardly breathe and my throat was so sore I could barely swallow. The cure…about an ounce of warmed brandy with a couple teaspoons of honey (since I try to avoid otc meds if at all possible) at about 11pm. It made it bearable until about 4am and by that time it wasn’t as bad.
Clifford has developed a cough from allergies and has been having some sinus drainage when he lays down. Last night even though I had him propped up he coughed until he threw up. We had the pleasure of sleeping in the recliners in order to keep him from coughing so much. Michael got up this morning and sent me to bed and I slept until almost 10:30! I’m still congested and a slight sore throat but much better than last night.
Michael has been cooking today. He made buttermilk biscuits with our fresh buttermilk for breakfast and for lunch a huge pot of soup which will become pease porridge over the next few days. But it never lasts 9 days! 🙂
Well the sun is calling me outside even though I’d rather go back to bed. I just can’t pass up a day like this as they’ve been few and far between so far this winter. Time to put the kiddos back to work!
Have a great day and God bless!
this homestead life 
I’ve learned the hard way to use a mask if I’m cleaning out a past due clean out job…and it happens to all of us occasionally. I don’t remember having issues with dust growing up, but middle age changes a person :). Laughed when I saw you taking the advice you gave me! Glad to know it helped. And isn’t it wonderful having a husband who cooks – I share that blessing. Hope Clifford gets better soon, and you all get some sleep.
It ended up being a virus as 3 others came down with it! Two days of a sore throat and low grade fever. Don’t ask me where it came from as we hadn’t been anywhere for over 2 weeks but I guess it hung around from when Clifford ran a fever 2 weeks ago. It is wonderful having a husband who cooks and Michael is a very good cook! We’re still looking for that sleep 🙂
amen to that baby 🙂 sleep would be good
When I have been cleaning the coop, I wear a dust mask, what makes cleaning nice is I know the chickens and the garden love it. I have a friend I can get straw hay for $ 1.50 a bale. We use it for so many things around the homestead none go to waste
I won’t forget my mask next time! We put the chicken cleanings in a separate pile since it takes longer before it won’t burn the plants and the garden definitely loves it. $1.50 a bale is a fantastic price.
oh my, these photos are just wonderful! Great job!
Loved the pics & all the info!
LOL, cleaning the chicken coop brings make many hours of torture for my sister and I while growing up. It seemed so huge, but it really wasn’t that big, just seemed like it to a kid 🙂
Thanks so much for entering my giveaway!
Love the pictures!!!!
Thanks. It’s just a little point and shoot but it takes pretty good pics.