Wood Cutting and Garden Shed/Chicken Coop Makeover Part I

We weren't officially scheduled to move in for another two weeks but the previous owners (who are amazing!) were happy to let us come up before they move out to do some work outside! So yesterday we went up (and brought my parents) with hopes to get some wood chopped and stacked for winter. We have both an indoor wood burning furnace and propane but are hoping to use as much wood as possible.

Earlier in the week Tommy cut up a pile of wood my parent's had and was also able to get another 3 truck loads from a friends property. Because time is tight (and Tommy is technically still recovering from his shoulder surgery in June) - cutting down trees from our woods and hauling them out to cut wasn't super practical this year, so we decided whatever we couldn't find for free we'd look to buy pre-cut.

We want to have 5-8 cords total. We're told we'll use 5-6 cords/year and an extra 2-3 would gives us some cushion or put us ahead for next year. We ended up finding another 2.5 cords for sale not too far from the farm for a good price so my dad and Tommy took two trips loading up both trucks, and a trailer and then bringing them back, unloading them, and stacking in our unfinished barn. I think total we have about 3.5-4 cords... as well as some that needs to be split... so we're not done yet, but we'll do as much as we can before snow falls!

While my dad and Tommy were stacking wood (and my mom was entertaining the kids) my other big project was de-weeding the area surrounding the Garden Shed/Chicken Coop. The left side of this building is the garden shed half. The far/right side is the coop. I also power washed the entire outside in preparation to paint. The building was made with leftover metal so it's a hodge podge of different colors. I decided to paint it all white to make it look at little nicer :)

before

after weed clearing and power washing

They haven't had chickens in about a year so the fenced in areas were ridiculous overgrown. We removed a fence that was by the entrance of the coop because it was a little janky and we didn't think it was necessary. We'll save the fencing to use for a garden trellis or something later though. I had hoped to get the building painted as well but it was raining off and on all day so I only got a quick first coat on a small section. I can't wait until the whole building is done!

before

progress

I love how rustic the coop door is!

The main run attached to the back of the coop is actually separated in different sections which made it even more inconvenient to clear... but now that it is cleared and I can actually see it I think it will make a nice run for pullets (young chickens and young turkeys) before we let them free range a bit more.

Weeds cleared, pre-power washing.

Power washed (minus one small lower section)

Overall it was a productive afternoon. I'm so thankful for my parents help AND we are so excited to find out that the owner's will be out next Saturday morning (the 31st) so we can move in TWO WEEKS EARLIER than planned! That means tons of packing and organizing to do this week! We're almost there!