Recent content by OrchidDragon

  1. OrchidDragon

    Water in coop and increasing humidity

    I was reading in other posts how water in the coop can increase the humidity. I understand this, but does it always increase it? An open waterer, dripping, leaking or large surface area might. I have 7 chickens in a 10 x 8 ventilated coop with a backup waterer (5 gallon water bucket with two...
  2. OrchidDragon

    can i light my run as well as my coop?

    Everyone talks about how water in the coop will increase the humidity. But does it always increase it? An open waterer, dripping, leaking or large surface area might. I have 7 chickens in a 10 x 8 ventilated coop with a backup waterer (5 gallon water bucket with two water cups). They don't...
  3. OrchidDragon

    Chicken iceskating :)

    Here in southwest Indiana we have sleet mixed with snow and a thin layer of ice on everything. I went outside to let the chickens out. After opening the pop door, the chickens stood in the doorway and contemplated the dramatic change in weather. After the first in line ice skated and slipped...
  4. OrchidDragon

    gravity feed heated water bowl

    I was thinking of rigging a 5 gallon water jug to sit inverted in a heated dog water bowl for the chickens. This would be their outside waterer. Does anyone have experience with something like this? Would just having heat at the bottom keep the water in the jug from freezing? I live in southern...
  5. OrchidDragon

    Hens are throwing all their feed out of the feeder and on to the ground

    I made this feeder too and it greatly reduced the spillage but it is not foul proof. Just use crumbles or pellets. If scratch or corn is mixed in with regular feed, the chickens can bill it onto the ground to pick out their favorite scratch/corn. I throw out scratch in the morning and corn at...
  6. OrchidDragon

    My coop's winter heating and ventilation - need opinions and information

    I could attach a small square of plexiglass to the mesh wire that is over the windows. There is a couple of inches between the window and the mesh wire. Air would come in around the edges of the plexiglass but block direct wind from blowing on the chickens.
  7. OrchidDragon

    My coop's winter heating and ventilation - need opinions and information

    I live in southwestern Indiana, which can experience all types of winter weather. I need to know if my coop set up needs improving. My shed is 8' x 10' with half for chickens. It is insulated in the walls only.I can run electric out to the coop, so I am as worried about heating or keeping the...
  8. OrchidDragon

    What did you do in the garden today?

    Removed fence from around raised garden bed to allow chickens to eat the leftovers. Also added composted soil so they could "till" into the garden for me.
  9. OrchidDragon

    What treat did your chickies get today?

    Honeydew and cantaloupe rinds and seeds
  10. OrchidDragon

    Peeping Toms!

    They are getting back at you for staring at them all the time !
  11. OrchidDragon

    what breed is this? told it was an americaunas.

    I was sold Araucanas by Rural King but they were actually Easter Eggers. Araucanas are rumpless and they so not have tail feathers that upsweep like other breeds. Ameraucanas are either a lighter/darker shade of the same color or a few are two different colors . Ameraucanas do not have...
  12. OrchidDragon

    Do Ameraucana like really dark places to lay eggs?

    I think two of my hens are Ameraucanas. Do they need private, really dark places to lay compared to other breeds? Both of them laid in the nest boxes along with my brown egg layers and then both suddenly stopped. I have looked everywhere for eggs where they free range in a fenced in yard. A...
  13. OrchidDragon

    Sold wrong breed of chicken - is it an Ameraucana?

    I have two pullets I purchased from Rural King this spring they sold as "Araucana". But after maturing, they definitely have a tail. Does anyone else have this breed? Is it an Ameraucana?
  14. OrchidDragon

    Please post pictures of your recycled material chicken run - but not coops :)

    Does anyone have close up pictures of chicken runs made from reclaimed/recycled lumber? A really old house next to me was torn down and I was given some 2" x 8" sixteen foot long lumber. My run will be about 13' x 10' for 7 chickens, although they will generally free range. I will have mesh...
  15. OrchidDragon

    ideas and how-to's of winterizing cup drinkers

    Word of caution about aquarium heaters. They can fail even if designed to be completely submersible. Some may even state they are submergible but have a maximum water line (the temperature control dial stays above the waterline). I had one rated to be fully submerged in my fish tank and it...
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