// chez poulet
The backyard was barren when we moved in. As newlywed first-time home owners, we knew less than nothing. But as we continued to start a project after finishing one, our yard began to take shape. With kids, the yard has been even more of a joy. Watching our children grow up with the chickens has made those dumb hens worth all of the blood, sweat, and tears.
stage 1
2013 — 2015
2x4” beds
Irrigation
Master’s Touch lolipopped our hickory (foreshadowing) but rope swing might have been worth it
Southern Landscapes and RR Mann debacle
Garber Lowe fence rebuild
Finish 6x6” beds with irrigation and stone steps
Removal of poplar and red oak by Richard Blankenship
stage 2
2016 — 2017
18” sonotubes 32” deep with 6x6” posts
Framing
Rafters and roofing felt
Interim doors
Interim retaining wall
Soft and fascia
Automatic interior door
Final exterior doors
Finish trim and hardware
Paint and seal
// first child
2017
Started building the coop and bought truck before we had our first child. Things quickly changed after she was born. Progress on the coop slowed and the chickens became less of a focus. But as our family grew, the chickens became more special. Her first word was “chicken.” We named the hens. First Halloween costume was a chicken.
stage 3
2017-2021
Lots of digging
Lots of forming, pouring, and finishing concrete
Bead board run to keep out wasps
Final door
Hardware cloth tied into concrete footers
Lots more digging for the final retaining walls
Connect gutter from house, drain basin, and retaining walls to unified draining system that exits under the fence
Final retaining walls
Gravel path
Hickory gets blown over the day two days after we finish
