Recent content by ironrdr

  1. ironrdr

    Kicking bedding out of nesting boxes?

    So, I have a few rogue hens who apparently like things sparse. Namely, bedding (straw) in the nesting boxes. Every time I put straw in the nesting boxes, unknown hens go in and kick it all out. Sometimes right away, sometimes within a day or two. I've used different bales, different amounts...
  2. ironrdr

    First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

    And that's why I am now part of this thread. I never even thought of doing that, but since I read what you typed, and played it out in my head, that makes perfect sense. Guess I'll be building two brooder boxes in my soon to be relocated and repaired shed. -darrell
  3. ironrdr

    First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

    I dunno. I'll keep them together in the brooder for 2 weeks, then evaluate separation then. I imagine they'll have to get separated at some point. What's your opinion on separation? -darrell
  4. ironrdr

    First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

    Just got done reading this whole thread to date. Whew. I've got 25 meaties coming in April. Only have to move and repair a 8X12 shed to brood them in, and build some tractors to grow them out. This on top of R&R windows, roof and siding on my house. No pressure. I feel better choosing 15...
  5. ironrdr

    What bedding do you use in your coop, nesting boxes, and run?

    The size is the key. The material added only helps to compost the manure and cover the smell.
  6. ironrdr

    What bedding do you use in your coop, nesting boxes, and run?

    In the coop, depending on the time of year, I use pine pellets (horse pellets), pine shavings, and grass clippings. I've only cleaned the coop out twice in the past year using this combination (80sq ft coop with 24 chickens). The nesting boxes are either hay or grass clippings, depending on...
  7. ironrdr

    Oyster Shell / Calcium Supplements Making Your Own...

    Do I need to wash them or prepare them in any way, besides crushing? Will the salt water residue do any harm to the chickens?
  8. ironrdr

    Oyster Shell / Calcium Supplements Making Your Own...

    So, I live in an area where I have access to shells of oysters, clams, mussles etc. I know oyster shells are an ok supplement, but are clam shells, mussel shells, scallop shells and the like good too? What would I have to do, besides pulverizing them, to make them chicken safe? Just looking...
  9. ironrdr

    Combining Full Grown Layers with 10 Week Olds

    So, my flock of 16 assorted brown layers is just over 10 weeks old. They've settled nicely into their 8X10 coop and 20X30 secure run. Friends have requested I take their chickens (possibly 9 full grown layers) and try to integrate them all. What do I need to do to make sure all goes well if...
  10. ironrdr

    Lino in Brooder

    I have a lino floor in my brooder. I put about a 3 inch thick pine shaving layer down each time I clean and it keeps them from sliding. About the time I have to replace the shavings is about the time they just start to slide around. I replace the shavings and they're good to go for a few more...
  11. ironrdr

    2 Week Old Chicks With Missing Feathers...

    Had my chicks for almost 2 weeks now. A variety of brown egg layers from McMurray hatchery. Alls gone well so far, but today multiple chicks have lost feathers in spots on top of their wings, like this one here: I've not witnessed any bullying or pecking. And multiple chicks of varying...
  12. ironrdr

    "Chicken Central"... On the Cheep

    Sooo, for the past two weeks, I've been kicking myself for not getting anything done on Chicken Central. Between weather and work, I've not had a minute to devote to the up-cycled utopia. But, that doesn't mean I've been neglecting it. In the past two weeks I've managed to acquire almost four...
  13. ironrdr

    "Chicken Central"... On the Cheep

    Today I started by laying the vinyl flooring. It was a bit cold out, so the tiles didn't lay perfectly, but once it warms up a bit, they should lay down flat. Next up was closing the coop in. Here's where I ran into a problem. I measued from the beginning of the project to be able to fit a...
  14. ironrdr

    "Chicken Central"... On the Cheep

    I used the method described by knucklebuster to cut the tin. It's a bit loud when you're cutting, but there's really no better way that I know to get them cut. -darrell
  15. ironrdr

    "Chicken Central"... On the Cheep

    Supposed to rain sometime this weekend, so I kicked the roof project into high gear. I anchored the 4X4s to the block with tapcons and metal angle. Then I got to tin fittin. My hands took quite a beating putting it on. Didn't help that the wind was gusting either. Gonna need to get to...
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