Recent content by mrtoren

  1. M

    I think I have enough ventilation, what do members think?

    I'm assuming your winds come from the north and west? It is hard to tell, but it sounds like you faced the front of the coop (where the ventilation currently is) to the south AND east. If so, I'd recommend picking one direction. For instance, face it south and then add new ventilation areas on...
  2. M

    Silkie Coop- ramp and other considerations?

    We rescued two senior silkies. They navigate the ramp into the current two-foot elevated coop just fine. Three feet is a bit high -- I'd probably consider the widest ramp you can fit (10-12") and a gentle angle with good traction to ensure they don't fall off it (silkies cannot really fly to...
  3. M

    Bags of food stored out in the cold.

    Cold temperatures aren't an issue (heat would be more problematic). Vermin are. You're dangling a feast out for any creature determined (or desperate) enough to break into it. Raccoons are incredibly smart and have the dexterity to defeat simple latches. I wouldn't trust a bungee cord alone to...
  4. M

    Building Material Recommendations Needed for Coop Flooring

    There are generally three recommendations: 1) Sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles; 2) Blackjack rubberized coating; or 3) Paint. Vinyl is cheap and easy, but has its issues. For instance, tile corners may peel up and allow moisture to reach the plywood. Sheet vinyl and tiles may also rip or tear if you...
  5. M

    Plywood alternatives

    Locally, 1/2 plywood is $20/sheet and 3/4 plywood is $30/sheet. Prices have pretty much come down to pre-pandemic levels. People seem to forget that wood really wasn't all that cheap before the pandemic. If you have a Menards in TN, check there as they usually beat Lowes and Home Depot by...
  6. M

    Need help on where to buy a good chicken coop !!!!

    Word of caution, chickens are a lot of work. If you're on bed rest and your husband is handling the kids, it may be advisable to hold off for now. If you are dead set on adding chickens, and will not build your own coop, you have three options: 1) Buy and have a reputable turn-key coop shipped...
  7. M

    Motion activated light

    It's all preference. Once you make the walk to your coop several times a day for months, or even years, you probably don't need much more than your natural vision to do it. For me, I'd rather have something that lights up the inside of the coop while I'm working in it so a camp lantern makes...
  8. M

    Pullet found with head, neck, and chest eaten

    You need to reorient your thinking and challenge your assumptions. "It had no openings." Yes, it did, otherwise a predator would not have made it in. Your current thought process is assuming the coop is secure -- you need to flip that upside down, assume it is totally unsecured, and search for...
  9. M

    Dew on Windows More ventilation?

    Foundational question still needs answered: Is the dew on the windows inside or outside of the coop? A hygrometer costs $10 on Amazon. Buy one and check it several times per day.
  10. M

    Repairs and regular inspection

    I'm glad to see you're proactive! Too many people procrastinate with repairs or improvements until their flock is attacked or killed. I have to admit, I do not consciously inspect my coop more than a couple times per year. However, we are frequently out in the barnyard with all our animals and...
  11. M

    Lean-to Chicken Coop Roof & Ventilation (w. pic)

    It's getting closer. About 70% of the materials for the coop have been reused, repurposed, or acquired secondhand. I recently redesigned the nesting box to a drop down design. Reframed it in 2x4's to support the drop down door and made it slightly taller for easier front access. Hoping to have...
  12. M

    Poor roosting choice - okay for winter?

    I'll echo what others have said: Close that space off. There's no reason for them to be up there and it could potentially endanger them (don't trust always chickens to know what's best for them). I see you used 2x4's for the roosting bars inside the coop. Maybe they don't like them? While there...
  13. M

    My Hoop Coop

    Not sure what your budget is, but tarps are not really a long term solution (especially in hurricane territory). Unless the tarps are taught, they will catch wind, rub, and eventually shred. A bad storm could rip them right off and leave your chickens unsheltered. I'd recommend tightening every...
  14. M

    Barn heating

    With respect to the concrete floors, I would simply add a deeper layer of bedding to help insulate it. I would also recommend figuring where your drafts are coming in and solving that problem first. Ventilation is good, but drafts can be deadly. You want your ventilation sources as high as...
  15. M

    My hen is depressed

    No one is trained in chicken psychology. However, she's gone through some trauma and probably needs time to recover. Make sure she's eating, drinking, and uninjured. Give her some treats. Beyond that, give it time. Its hard to lose a companion. My two Blue Rocks stick together, while an Easter...
See more
Back
Top Bottom