Recent content by Chookman

I decided to go with Australorp-New Hampshire crosses. They weren't too easy to source - had to drive 200km each way to collect them. They are gorgeous and settling in nicely. They are very different to the Isa Browns - much more relaxed, but a little more nervous. That may be because they are...

My 6 new girls - breed chosen to be content in enclosure.

What a great article. I built this feeder quite some time ago and it works brilliantly. There were 2 modifications I had to make: 1. I had an issue with mice squeezing in from the side of the lid. I added 1/4 round to each side to completely seal it and that stopped the mice. 2. The chickens...

Thanks again for all your help. Looking at what is available locally, I think I'll get some Australorp - New Hampshire crosses. They are quite big, so I might just get 4. The breeder will only have them in early December, so I have some time to work on the Taj Mahal!

According to the Purina plans, the coop is big enough for 8 (although I only had 6). It is located inside a run that measures approx. 15' X 10'. Then, I added an extra run that they use during the day. It measures 12' X 10'. So, I think they have plenty of space.

Thank you so much, everyone, for sharing your advice and experience. My daughter, who is a vet, did suggest Bantams, because she thought they would be better in an enclosure. I understood that Isa Browns were a cross between Rhode Island Reds and Rhode Island Whites with a few other bits and...

We live on a 15 acre property in the Victorian High Country, Australia. I built a Purina Coop about 5 years ago - like the one shown on this page: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/purina-coop-plans-or-something-easy.1160855/ I set it up in a run of about 15 square metres, which is very...