Maine - Page 363

Thanks!! It's built with mostly scraps- the base is part of a deck my uncle used to have on his house, all of the two by fours are left overs from projects of his or my grandfathers...same with the flashing, and the shingles. The door was from another uncles old house and the windows came from a friend.... We did buy the plywood and the some of the trim pieces new though.

 

 

we just used galvanized chicken wire- it is a little over 5 and a half feet tall, and it is in the ground a foot or so with rocks buried at the base.

 

Can't believe I missed this coop, looks like you were posting the same time I was. What a great design and nice job building it!

 

Mine all rush to the run gate whenever they hear a door close in the house (usually a sign that I'm coming through the basement on my way to either feed them or let them out to free range) or when I pull up in the car after work and it's hilarious and sad to see at the same time. I wish I could let them out but I just put some turkeys and some new chicks in about a week ago and I don't trust them yet to know where they live and not run off or be a pain to catch. The turkeys and chicks are at least returning to the coop each night from the run although they use the people door and are terrified of the chicken pop door...

Well, that's good to know. Maybe I will treat with both. This .4 - .7 ml per bird, are you putting in their water, on their skin, or down their throat? I guess I'll need to do some research before fall.

Also, does anyone know if their are places that sell those plastic transport crates for poultry locally, or should we just order on-line? DH is refusing to take birds to the butcher in our makeshift cages, after our Gardiner escapee incident.

Some guy had them cheap on Craigslist, but they were in Cumberland, and you had to buy 3, for a total of $90. That is a great price, but I did not want 3, and Cumberland is a long way (although I drove way down that way for my turtle sandbox, which is working great). I asked the guy for one, but he said he really would hate to split them up. Anyway, I'll be ordering one soon, if I can't find a place that sells them.

I like your coop, Mainechick! I don't let mine free-range because of the garden, but they love their large fenced-in area off their run.

 

Down their throat. Have someone hold them and pull down on their wattles. It opens their mouth. Shove the oral syringe in there, squirt.

 

We do it early in the morning before we let them out of the coop, and after we worm them we throw them out into the run so we know we got everyone. It takes some time, and there's a bit of anarchy (especially for those birds that HAVE TO LAY AN EGG NOW MOM!) but it works. What didn't work was putting the dose on a piece of bread (a common helpful hint from other people who worm) because they start fighting for the bread and some only get a small piece of the dose. Wattle pulling is totally the way to go.

Thanks!! It's been a collaboration between my husband and my 85 year old grandfather for the most part.

 

 

speaking of being a pain to catch....all of ours are really good about going in on their own as it gets later...or if I bring some treats out...but last weekend we had a party to attend, and were going to be out late....and I think the sensed this..... I told my husband to get them in the coop...but they all ran in the woodsline...and when he chased them out, they just ran back in...so of course I had to go out in skirt, strappy sandals and hair done nice ( this happens about 3 times a year....) and help wrangle them....in and out of the woods and across the lawn...what a PAIN!

Mainechick:  It's a real Mainer that can chase chickens in strappy sandles with her hair done and still look sexy....BTW, My husband says i look the best when i have dirt on my face and feathers in my hair.....hahahaha....weirdo  :)    
 

Yikes! I just saw the fox sticking his head out through the ferns right on the edge of our lawn. He was about 25 feet from the non-electrified wire fence that contains the chickens. They were still locked up in their run, and now I want to leave them there for today.

I went out onto the porch and the fox ran off about 15 feet, and then stopped and turned to look at me. I ran towards him and tried to look threatening (ha), and he did leave for now, but I have the feeling he'll be back.

Meanwhile, I have 12 week old chicks in my carport. That is not so secure. I wish DH wasn't working so much because I need to get them into the hoop coop.

buckabucka: tis the season for fox.  we have lost two in the last two weeks. I came home from class at 730, they were all there waiting to go in....went in and changed, got something to eat at at 830, one was already gone........he'll be back...(big jerk) and when he does i got a little, sumfin, sumfin for him.... keep your momma eyes peeled.....they are fast and they leave no trace....
 

Backwoodsdiva, Thank god my husband is a good Maine boy too....he appreciates the "natural look" and by natural I mean forget the makeup, add dirt, sweat and multiple bug bites.....

hahahaha...forgot about the bug bites..:)   my hair is naturallly curly and it just gets bigger and bigger, the more i work outside in the humidity....Mine is a Maineboy, too...back Winterport....going to day to work on my run...i think i will copy your idea...i think it will work for our little flock.....what are your thoughts about adding on to it? I don't want to have multiple runs and coops.... i am already looking to expand my flock....four just isn't enough.....