Reviews by BDutch

It’s great to alter a playhouse into a chicken coop. I altered one myself too last summer.

The quality, price and size of playhouses is often better than prefab coops. And because more people who cant or don’t have the time to build a small coop from scratch I love this tip.

Unfortunately you didn’t describe and showed all the alterations. Can you add more info? I give 5* if the article is completed.

Very good overview of things to consider if you build a coop or transfer a building into a chicken coop and run.
I only didn’t understand this one: Place nest boxes at least three feet off the ground. More important imho is that the roost are located higher as the nestboxes. Heavy breeds need a ramp to go up and the lighter breeds some space to jump.

I also missed the requirements of a coop and run in an overal nice and warm climate are very different from a coop in a country where winters are below freezing for a longer period (large indoor space with windows or a roofed and transferable run). Or where temps in summer often get above 100F (natural shade and a huge amount of ventilation).

This article is perfect for BYC keepers who want to keep their chickens for a certain time like the commercial farmers do. Max egg production comes with a price (poor chicken health).

The numbers given are what you can expect from 6 - 18 months. After that the numbers decline. And it has nothing to do with the number of eggs a chicken lays in total (life span). Some breeds lay not abundant, but keep producing eggs for a very long time. I have 2 seniors of 9 years old that stil lay approx 3 eggs every week in spring and summer (if not broody).

Great read these helpful hints for raising healthy chicks.
It gives a good insight in breeder thoughts, the necessity to consider the needs of young chicks before buying them and a few aspects on how to handle/raise chicks.
It does not point out all the stuff you need to raise young chicks and how to keep them warm.

Very good written article with good tips. Only would change this a little : “For the first week (at least) keep the chickens in their coop.”
To : “For the first week keep the chickens in a large coop or a little coop with an enclosed/safe/covered run. Such a run is always great to have for a little more space and to go outside early mornings when everyone is still asleep“

This is the first article I read that actually makes me want to start raising mealworms. It sounds easy enough to raise mealworms this way.

Was a bit disappointed I cant use the processor from my old Mac though.

Very good instructions how to use DE.
I use it too for 9 years now. Never had SLM or feather lice. And only had an red mite infestation once, last year, when I was to careful applying it in the nest box area where I had two mama’s and 9 chicks. I couldn’t overwin the infestation in the two weeks you describe. Small mites kept coming. Finally managed to stop the infestation after taking an added piece of wood out (for higher roosts). Behind it I found a nest with mite eggs. Used more DE and because we planned a vacation I sprayed some permethrin into a hole in the lid, where I was not able to use the DE paint. And sprayed only one chicken with Permethrin between the feathers. She was a determined broody, who didn’t lay eggs anyway.

I use ribbed paper (from biscuits) to make mite traps, to check if the coop is still clean from red mites.

Very informative article on adding new chicks to an existing flock.
Two things missing imho.

1. If you have a small group of chicks with a broody, integration is of no concern if you have enough space and clutter. In general the mother defends the chicks and the chicks search protection with the mother.
2. The see don’t touch method for young chicks. Where the chicks have an area they can escape to.

You mention having 2 of each breed is easier. Having just one breed is easier. Some breeds come in many colours if you like variation.

Good instructions to built a L-shape coop/run in a warm climate. A few things surprised me though: the tin roof, and it looks as if you didn't sand off the sharp edges of the roosts. Missed a exact list underneath the photo what to buy, but I suppose most of the builders can work that out for themselves.

Love it that you showed all the changes you made after 2 years.

Excellent guidelines and tips for newcomers and some info is good to know/remember for older members as well.

Great to have an article about the risks of pesticides/herbicides. The plants and seeds they sell in the shop often contain lots of poisons too, especially the extraordinary flowering plants like Lillies. Best buy organic of food grade if you have a choice.

I want to add that where I live we already have problems with chemicals in our water (rivers/lakes) an on the ground too. Especially the unbreakable PFAS (Tefal, fire extinguishers, special clothings) are becoming more and more an issue. 40% of the eggs from backyard hobbyists contain too much PFAS.

Good idea to compare a chicken that is brooding in a natural situation with the artificial setup of a coop with nestboxes.

Super great article. Only the title containing turkey was very strange to me. I didn't comprehend it and thought it was about turkeys.
I wouldn’t have read it if @Shadrach didn’t mention it is really worthwhile to read it.

Nice list but I definitely miss ordinary grass in the list.

And imho its nonsense that you have to avoid poisonous plants around a chicken coop or chicken run, or if your chickens have unrestricted access to your entire property's plants. The chickens know what they can eat and what to leave alone. And they don’t eat onions either.

Great project! Love the idea of using a flat pack playhouse and adjust it to use as a coop.
Many people who have barely any skills and machines for carpentry could make such a project work for them too after reading this.

Nice coop for a little flock. Good sturdy building and documenting.
I only wonder why it has no windows.

Great way to give tips and suggestions for improvement. How safe and sturdy one needs to build depends on the environment of course.
There is no way you can make a complete list that fits all. The number, type and size of one’s chickens can vary enormously too. But surprisingly you come a long way.

Great ideas. Missing the most obvious against boredom and to keep your chickens healthy: Free ranging.

Can only be done in daylight if the environment is reasonably safe. But your chickens also benefit when they can free range for an hour each day under supervision.

Great tips and ideas. I would add necessities to the title because lots of what you described are necessities for heathy chickens.

To keep the stress level low it’s important to keep chickens busy.

The sand bath is important to keep the skin and feathers in good condition. Adding a little diatomaceous earth is even better to prevent lice and mite problems to a certain extent (no guarantees, keep checking)

Very nice general tips that are good to read and to take into account if you plan to build a coop.