Since I didn’t need the brooder table I made (since I built a cabinet in the coop instead), I have been using it as a work table. It is really nice because I made it counter height. The shelf is for nest boxes (when I get around to making them, it is on the list), but now that the chicks have access to nearly the whole coop and are flying higher, I needed a solution for the table top where I could use it, but the chicks couldn’t.

So I built a roof for my table. The siding is at a 45 degree angle so the chickens can’t perch on it, and are on hinges so I can open it. The sides are covered in chicken wire to also help keep the chicks out of it.

I can prop it open it to have access to the top for weighing chicks and tending wounds, but can close it so I won’t find poop deposits there.

And, just because, here is a video of chicks eating cucumber.

The chicks were able to go out their door for the first time!

We have wire up almost all the way around the runs, and the main doors are in and latched. It is enough complete that we felt OK letting the chicks use their own door. (They are getting heavier and harder to carry outside!) The door we bought opens when the sun comes out and closes when it gets dark, but we are not ready for that yet, so I just propped it open today.

We stayed with the chicks, because the top of the runs is still open. Hawks and cats could still get in.

Sophie, our outside cat, saw the chicks out today, but now there is wire between them! Yay!

My husband and eldest started putting up wire around the runs!

We are using 1/4″ hardware cloth along the bottom to keep smaller critters out, but along the upper sides and top we are using larger fencing because of cost.

There is still lots to do before the chickens have free run of the place, but we are getting there!

with new doors on the lower storage area.

I used more siding scrap and was able to cut matching doors and install the hinges, handles, and latches. All the better to keep the chickens out.

And here is a cute picture of a chick roosting.

And here is some video of the chicks trying to get meal worms out of a treat dispenser.