Recent content by fanofdmb84

  1. fanofdmb84

    Do mites ever really go away? Or are they always present in the environment?

    So when you check your birds between treatments, does that mean you see ZERO evidence of mites? I picked up a bird today and was able to visualize 2 black mites (presumably) on one bird and none on another. I'll pick up the dust tomorrow, I guess I'm just trying to understand if it's...
  2. fanofdmb84

    Do mites ever really go away? Or are they always present in the environment?

    So I started fresh this spring. New coop, new chicks, new bedding, on 5 acres that have never had chickens on it. But we have wildlife. A lot of it. I've recently noticed some tiny black bugs, what I assume are mites, around the vents of a few of my chickens. I haven't noticed any symptoms in...
  3. fanofdmb84

    New roo behavior (and skeletal issues?)

    I'm feeling a lot of feelings right now so bear with me. I found a 10 week old cockerel on a local re-home group. The poster had a few others, included a lot of information about each, and generally seemed to be knowledgeable, responsible, and careful with her birds. I contacted her with a few...
  4. fanofdmb84

    Looking for a roo - size considerations

    I want to add a rooster to my flock of 11. They are about 16 weeks old right now. I have standard sized chickens - orpingtons, EE, Australorp, cochins, black star, wyandottes, etc. I considered a bantam roo so if he turns into a jerk, at least he's small and won't be so intimidating (I have...
  5. fanofdmb84

    Pine shavings in an open run?

    My run is only half covered. Our soil is sandy but there's a layer of topsoil over it so I'm looking to add some kind of litter for the summers just to deep-litter the poop and keep everyone's feet clean. In the winter the whole thing will be covered so it will be less of an issue. I don't want...
  6. fanofdmb84

    1 week old baby chicks wings sticking out

    Thank you for posting the photo! I picked up a Cochin a few days ago who's wing feathers are pointing out just like yours and I was concerned there was something wrong. This is reassuring.
  7. fanofdmb84

    Biosecurity - purposeful exposure to other flocks

    I'm getting chickens in the spring. There have never been chickens on our property, so it's as much of a clean slate as possible. That said, we have neighbors about 1/4 mile away who have chickens, as well as a few friends who have chickens. Our kids are all friends. There is bound to be...
  8. fanofdmb84

    Foundation for pre-built coop - treated lumber vs gravel - northern Wisconsin

    Thank you for sharing. I appreciate the detailed information.
  9. fanofdmb84

    Foundation for pre-built coop - treated lumber vs gravel - northern Wisconsin

    The floor is 3/4" plywood but there are floor joists below it. This roughly where it will be located (where the dogs are in the 2nd Pic)
  10. fanofdmb84

    Foundation for pre-built coop - treated lumber vs gravel - northern Wisconsin

    I'm planning on buying a coop from a builder about an hour away. They will deliver it. They recommend a gravel pad to set it atop. After doing some research, the 'best practice' seems to be to build a frame of treated wood, level, then add 4-6" gravel. Easier than a slab, but... it means a lot...
  11. fanofdmb84

    Direction considerations for new coop - northern WI

    Yeah I plan to build my own and not use theirs.
  12. fanofdmb84

    Direction considerations for new coop - northern WI

    Tbh I'm not sure how much I'll use it or if I'll just go inside. There is a separated feed room area on one end - so the nest boxes aren't lined up with the windows and I believe this photo is a different coop with a reversed floorplan from the first one I posted.
  13. fanofdmb84

    Direction considerations for new coop - northern WI

    If I face my windows south, which is currently the plan, the walk-in door will be to the east, the little chicken door leading to the covered run will be to the west. Most of our weather comes from the west, so I think that's probably the safest bet. This also means snow fall-off from the roof...
  14. fanofdmb84

    Direction considerations for new coop - northern WI

    Not rainy at all! These are things I can potentially ask for customizations. The photo is a past coop this person has built, but I can use it as a template for my own needs. I believe there is a small door on the front (back?) of the nest boxes - the roofing part doesn't lift up. The pop door...
  15. fanofdmb84

    Direction considerations for new coop - northern WI

    I'm finding myself overwhelmed with decisions - I'm planning buying a coop like the one attached. Ive never had chickens before. I have 5 acres but because of snow I want to keep it close-ish to the house. How do I decide which direction to 'face' it? I figure the windows should probably face...
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