Western Town – Continuing the Build
After completing the first part of our western town animal village, we started prepping the area to complete the rest of the build all at once. Using a string-line, we marked where our posts needed to be and got the holes dug. Since we didn’t actually need to put in a ‘floor’ in the other animal enclosures, the framing was pretty simple and went fairly quickly.
We used the string line again to help us square up our posts in the holes on both the front and the back of the structure. In this situation, we did not use concrete, we simply packed our clay rich soil in tightly around each post. When the posts were in, we used 2×4 lumber as runners to connect them to each other, both top and bottom. This gave us the basic skeleton of the overall structure. From that point it was just about filling in the walls and putting on the roofing.
Very Basic Framing
Being a western town, we wanted the animal village to have that same look and feel and we made each individual animal enclosure a different ‘store front’ as would be in an old western town. The rabbits, which we built first, are living in the General Store. The next enclosure that we completed was for the chickens; the U.S. Postal Service.
On the other side are the water fowl in the ‘Bath House’, the turkeys in the ‘Saloon’ and our peacock is the ‘Sheriff’. Our little western town was coming together pretty quickly. In the video, we show the time-lapse of the build. You can see how simple the construction really is.
Rescued Materials = Authentic Western Town
All of my constant obsession and saving of rescued materials has once again saved the day. (I like to throw that in there every once in a while so that my husband can take note of it!) Yes, it sometimes really irritates him…until I save us lots of money! …and really, tell me it doesn’t look awesome!
We obviously used these rescued materials to sheath the exterior of the structures. We also transferred our nesting boxes from the previous pen and I used tree limbs and sticks to put the roost together. …the ladies love it!
The Extra Details that Make it Pop!
So, it might be widely known what the special skills are of myself and my husband. While I am framer, he is a finish carpenter (a brilliant one!). I always say that I can build you a house, but he can make it beautiful. Finish carpentry is where all those details happen. And, as it turns out, you have to be obsessive compulsive to be good….so my hubs is awesome!
Ok, all kidding aside, when finish carpentry is called for, I call for him. In this case, I was right again! The doors that he built ALL turned out to be beautiful and they work really well too.
Final Pieces of the Structure
Once the basic structure was completed with walls and roofing, we built the upper facade as well as the front awning. I personally believe that it really helps bring this whole look together. Basic framing and sheathing/siding are really the main skills put to use here. This was honestly a very easy project to put together.
Finishing Touches
Once the structure was complete, fencing had to be constructed around each run and some of the other little details, as are always necessary. Getting the nesting areas ready, getting all of the roosts in place and putting together feed and water areas are all things that needed attention so that we could successfully transfer all of the animals to their new homes.
Don’t Miss The Finale!
Believe it or not, there is actually a little more to show you concerning the new western town here on Two Oaks Farmstead. Keep an eye out for the rest of the story in an upcoming post!
Never Miss Anything!
For more posts about farm building, check out Awe Inspiring Skills You Need to Love! Be sure to check out Two Oaks Farmtalk and A life on the Farm for more down home info! And you don’t want to miss Two Oaks Farmstead YouTube Channel where everything collides! But make sure you subscribe to everything so that you always have the latest information!!
