Homemade coop-tractor
These are photos of my coop-tractor. It houses 3 barred rock and 3 buff orpingtons, all hens. As I could not find a design plan, I made it up as I went along. I think I researched too much. The wheels make it pretty easy to move--I always move it with the girls...
what to do with my new coop space. I have acquired my son's "tree" fort and I need to furnish the inside for 9 hens. I have to work the outside ramp and fence in some areas but I'm stumped on how elaborate or simple to make the inside. The space is 9ft by 9ft and saltbox roofed. there is a...
Been farming mealies for a year. Bought from Fluker's online. Fed some that winter and put rest in box with chicken feed, bout 2 -3" worth. Feed them carrots or apples every now and then and pull the pupa (aliens as we call them) into a separate box with chicken feed. They turn into beetles...
I use snow fence --green is nicer on the eyes. And I love it because you can change it's shape or location really fast. I do have a barred rock who is a houdini so you need to secure the bottom edges (rocks, stakes, boards) if you won't be home. I haven't found enough stuff to cover all the...
How wide is that ladder on the end by itself? you might be able to make that a door by cutting out some of the rungs. I'd leave a bottom rung and one or two on top. It could make for a nice people door into the run area. You'll also want to make the roof with an angle so that rain and snow...
my area has hawks too, but my girls are in a pen made of snowfence (I only let them out when I can watch) Dumb hawk was sitting on the kids clubhouse trying to figure out if he could swoop in and swoop out with a full load--I think the overhanging evergreens and not so open pen area detered...
They should handle the feather loss pretty well. It'll take time for regrowth. I've got a barred rock that's totally naked on her chest (broody?) but she's doing fine and it's been like that since Feb. Good luck
DE is good for killing bugs. it does that by cutting them up with the sharp edges left from grinding diatoms into pieces. It is very, very bad for you if you inhale it. Think Freddy Krueger in your lungs. It can also cut the surface of your eyeball if you get it in there. be careful also...
mine don't like snow but i have a "run" under my coop (tractor type) so in the winter I put the coop next to the house about two feet out and board up the other 3 sides with wood and plexiglass (adds heat) they love it. in the summer they get moved to the mulched are (lots of bug and worms)...
really?! you want to pick up that wonderful fertilizer? You can hose spray it in if you don't like a chunky lawn. I usually leave mine and unless it's really dry out you don't notice it.
so far i've been lucky/blessed. no chicken problems. couple of pasty butts, no harder to wash than a baby. and a couple of picked at combs-they heal well and the dreaded molting--looks like they went through the lawn mower everyone told me I was nuts--I even bought dual purpose so I could...
I had one barred rock go broody so I just kept popping the nest box open and chasing her out. She seemed to get on with her life pretty good but does sleep in the nest