Recent content by bostonam

So my continued attempt to put the chickens in the coop at night has not proven successful. They use the roost, nesting boxes, etc. but they will not go in for the night. The fly up to the roost in the pen and stay there till I put them to bed. What reasons would they not want to be in there coop?

I bought some of the heavy duty plastic from the local hardware store "Lowes". My neighbor had used shower curtains from a discount store. The grommets made a simple installation. Kinda wished I saw his first. I wanted to leave a small opens at the top to make sure the air keeps moving.

So I introduced two new hens to our flock of 5. Things have been working themselves out. (Luckily) the pecking order is being worked out. The problem I am having is the new hens don't want to go into the coop at night. The will stay together on the roost in the pen. I have an automatic door that...

how did the collars work out?

Noooooooooooo! This little guy has been sneaking into my coop.

So i stopped using scotts fertilizer for my lawn so the chickens would be safe. Now my yard is looking horrible with the organic fert.. Any suggestions for weed control?

There is a limit of 10 chickens and a permit from the town. The lady that oversees the permits is a little over the top with police force mentality. Couple rules they have you go by like not having the coop within 20 feet of the property line. Sufficient size coop, etc. she warns that she makes...

Was the pitch of your roof enough? Have you dealt with snow yet?

So I found two rolls of black poly 2x3x48" galv wire at Lowes. They were marked down from the bottom being banged up. Am I crazy going with the 2x3 vs the 1/2" wire mesh?? I also picked up a bunch of cull lumber there too.. way less expensive than regular price

I just put the roll from the papers towel in the brooder.. It was pretty funny watching the reaction. I hope to make a little roost for them tomorrow.

In a conversation today, two other families said they used 2x4 welded wire. It looks like it would be ok to keep the adults in but what about the predators?

I live in New England and I have found that the less expensive places to purchase Hardware cloth is online. Where do you think is the best deal(s) for hardware cloth? And do you prefer 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch? And yes I know shipping is a factor..

which model?

I have started building my coop this weekend. I went to pick up the chicken wire, which was much cheaper than 1/4 inch hardware cloth and had some questions for the experienced members. Which one is better? What size hardware cloth? What do you think?