Chicks, birdhouses and the greenhouse

We lost our first Cornish Cross chick on Saturday. There was no reason we could find for it. There are a few birds out of the 47 (now 46) that we got that don't look to be in perfect condition. The one that died was one that did look good. We have a few that are afflicted with "poopy butt syndrome". At least that's what we're calling it. They get so much poop built up back there that new poop can't get out. The get blocked and can't eat. We may have to give these unfortunates a warm lingering bath to try and soften it up and remove it. The bird was buried without ceremony under a crepe myrtle tree. It will give all it has left towards the health of the tree and the beauty of the yard. On our weekly trip to Tractor Supply we bought a 25 lb bag of 20% chick starter. This feed will keep our fast growing flock eating for a short while. We also got more goat feed, chicken feed and sunflower seeds for feeding the wild birds.
On Saturday I put up 7 birdhouses. 6 in the back yard and 1 on the power pole next to the barn yard. On Sunday we saw an Eastern Bluebird and it's mate checking the house out. Neither of us had ever seen on of these before so it would be a thrill to have a pair nesting. They stayed for at least an hour checking out the neighborhood. We also had a flyby by a few purple martins. One had landed on the house for a while and chirped shrilly.
Kristi had an extremely busy weekend. She transplanted some boxwoods that surrounded a couple of oak trees in the back patio. She hates boxwoods. I could take them or leave them myself. They definitely have some good uses. I suggested she replant them rather than feeding them to the goats (I suspect that's what she wanted to do) so she dug 8 holes and put them in a semi circle around where I installed the sump for the laundry drain. They will eventually screen off the yard along the side of the storage shed. Since this is where I keep wheelbarrows, barrels, firewood, lumber and fencing materials it doesn't look too pretty most of the time. the boxwoods will be a big improvement.
The Barred Rock hens are getting bolder. If anything a chicken does can be considered bold. They began venturing out of the barn on Saturday. Just a few steps and they'd run back at the slighted sound. But they're starting to explore the world around them. They hope to find any worms that the early birds missed.
I was working on the greenhouse again. I'm trying to create some vents at the top, just under the roof on the sides that can be opened during hot weather and closed to keep the heat in during the colder months. So far what I have isn't very sturdy or functional. I'll keep plugging along until I get it right. Kristi's greenhouse plants are growing fast too. I'd better hurry.
Kristi also cleaned out the square garden under the purple martin house. She tore out some scrub oaks and weeds. Turned the soil over and began planting flowers. She has several different colors of tulips and other stuff. All bulbs. She also turned over the dirt in what will be the kitchen herb garden again. She's outlined where the slab ends and is preparing to put down stones for a path. Luckily stones are a natural resource we have in a abundance. We could build a path around our 15 acres if we wished too.