Our new coop with netting installed ready for the flock. Once the birds were about a month old we let them out of the coop/run to free-range the yard as they please, by propping open the door to the run for the day. They all return each night as the sun goes down on their own. We plan to only winter the egg-layers (6) the broilers will go to the freezer in the fall time. This will provide more space for the hens and reduce purchased feed requirements.

The coop in the background and the pond we made in the foreground for the ducks. We used a liner to prevent leaking all our water away. Surprisingly the water level remains all summer (with rain) and I only added a small amount of water (from the well) twice to maintain the level all summer long. The ducks love the pond, it was carefully placed north of two pines to provide shade during the mid-day. Pond measures 16' wide x 30' long and is 3' deep. We had some floating plants but the ducks were eating them, so moved the plants into tubs near the house.

The nesting box area of the new coop (spring 2013) note how top opens in sections and the side below is also on hinges to allow full opening of both sides (plus a 4' section of the rear is a door -seen on left side of pic) for easy cleaning of the coop. The floor level was set a few inches higher than the side of a wheel barrow to allow the mess to just be raked out ready for composting.

The flock spring 2013 our first season raising our own birds (chickens, ducks and pheasants)

Our new coop with netting installed ready for the flock. Once the birds were about a month old we let them out of the coop/run to free-range the yard as they please, by propping open the door to the run for the day. They all return each night as the sun goes down on their own. We plan to only winter the egg-layers (6) the broilers will go to the freezer in the fall time. This will provide more space for the hens and reduce purchased feed requirements.

Our first coop built spring 2013, has three sides that open for cleaning, all insulated for Canadian winter, windows and vents that open on sliding rails, and "egg-hatch" sections that open for egg removal. The metal roofing reflects excess solar heat all summer. Feed bin on the rear door allows us to go away for a few days at time. Coop is 6' x 8' x 5' tall (on 2' legs) and the run is 8' x 12' -shown here under construction.

Our new coop with netting installed ready for the flock. Once the birds were about a month old we let them out of the coop/run to free-range the yard as they please, by propping open the door to the run for the day. They all return each night as the sun goes down on their own. We plan to only winter the egg-layers (6) the broilers will go to the freezer in the fall time. This will provide more space for the hens and reduce purchased feed requirements.

birchwoodguy
Sep 8, 2013

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