Recent content by rpchris

  1. rpchris

    Automatic pop door

    If you really want to keep the raccoons out, then add a locking mechanism. Here's mine, it works like a champ.
  2. rpchris

    Troubled layer

    Hi all, I have a white rock that just turned 5 months old. She started laying about a week ago. She laid 2 days straight, skipped a day, laid again, then stopped. She hasn't laid in 3 or 4 days now. She still nests for an hour or more each day and pushes other chickens out of the nest boxes...
  3. rpchris

    Perch heater

    I'm not a fan of adding heat to a coop but the first thing that comes to mind is one of those pipe wrap heaters/gutter defroster that keep pipes and gutters from freezing. Something like this...
  4. rpchris

    Automatic Door that would work for Chickens AND goats or sheep??

    You can build a door to be any size. The issue will be with the opener. The motor that I am using has a 4 pound limit on what it can lift. If you had a heavier door you could add a counterweight that would help lift the door, and if the door is a bit heavier than the counterweight then it...
  5. rpchris

    Questions on Permits

    Quote: X2. The issue with permits is that if one IS required for your coop, then you should have gotten it BEFORE the coop was built otherwise they can fine you or find violations and make your rebuild, alter, or remove the coop entirely. Unless a neighbor complains, or you have...
  6. rpchris

    Flattening hardware cloth?

    Thanks all for the suggestions. I usually don't have an issue with it until I get to the end of a roll and then it is so tightly wound that it becomes a two person job to keep it held down while pulling it tight. I like the rolling pin idea, I may try that one first.
  7. rpchris

    My urban coop [Chickens moved in! Updates on page 6]

    Quote: Here they are almost 8 weeks old. 1 Barred Rock, 1 White Rock (or maybe a Leghorn?), 1 Red Star (Sex link), 1 RIH, 1 Buff Orpington. 3 of the girls The white rock and the barred rock The Barred Rock getting red in the face The Buff giving me the stink eye. The White Rock and...
  8. rpchris

    My urban coop [Chickens moved in! Updates on page 6]

    Quote: I started with a simple box frame made from 1"x2" lumber glued and nailed on the ends. For the windows that have divided panes I also added in the vertical divider. Like this: I have the box frame sitting in the window opening here just to be sure it fits. Then I added the two...
  9. rpchris

    It's a work in progress....but this is what I have so far! (More pics)

    Looks great! I wish I had that much space.
  10. rpchris

    Chicks have messy butts!! Help!

    One of my five had this problem. It took 4 or 5 days of butt-patrol to get her over it. I was cleaning her off each morning and evening. You just need to be sure the vent doesn't get plugged. If you gently blow on the chick's rear you should see the vent pucker and unpucker. It sounds weird...
  11. rpchris

    Questions about moving to coop

    I put my chicks out in their brand new coop when they were 5 weeks old. The temperatures were very similar to what you describe. They all did fine without any additional heat. I put my chicks in their coop early one the morning and left them locked in the coop with food and water most of...
  12. rpchris

    My urban coop [Chickens moved in! Updates on page 6]

    UPDATE: So it's been almost 3 weeks since I moved the chicks into their new coop, they are now almost 8 weeks old and still growing like crazy. I'm noticing their "faces" getting redder and their combs growing out. They all have beautiful coats of feathers. The coop design appears to be...
  13. rpchris

    Flattening hardware cloth?

    Anyone have any tips for flattening hardware cloth, especially those last few feet on a roll. I'm tired of tearing up my hands and arms when this stuff rolls back up on itself.
  14. rpchris

    First coop, first thoughts?

    It's a cute coop and would be an attractive option for someone who doesn't want to build their own. These small coops always pose their own unique challenges. There are just a few changes and ideas I might suggest: 1. It needs more ventilation up at the ridge line of the roof when rising...
  15. rpchris

    New Coop..Crazy Man..Lots Done Today, Many Pictures

    If you keep on building like that, then I am definitely buying stock in Home Depot. Looks great. I can't wait to see it finished.
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