Recent content by shabbyshic

  1. shabbyshic

    Afraid to let my chickens free range

    Hmm.. we do have 4 acres of bush behind us.. and plenty of predators.. so.. unless i am right there with them - i think i will try to get my husband to build a mobile unit. Then i can give them grass.. and new scenery when its the easiest.. and maybe try free ranging on weekends. I can't fence...
  2. shabbyshic

    Afraid to let my chickens free range

    I have wondered if maybe letting them out for an hour before sundown might be a safer experiment. They won't go as far... and they will go in by themselves ( i think?) Do you agree?
  3. shabbyshic

    Afraid to let my chickens free range

    Hi there - I have six laying hens (5 mthsold) that have been in a beautiful coop and run happily till now. But I have really been wanting to try letting them free range. I am nervous about the chances of our neighbours dog getting loose... or predators in the wild.. or of them wandering too far...
  4. shabbyshic

    self waterer not refilling

    Sounds like it just is a common flaw with the design - that is too bad.. especially when it is hot weather. i would be interested in the water cup idea.. self watering system.. is it hard to build?
  5. shabbyshic

    self waterer not refilling

    Hi there! So i have one of the standard large white and red plastic hanging water containers - but it won't seem to refill itself when the chickens empty the little trough. Anyone else had this problem - what can i do to solve it? I end up having to go out many times a day to tip it with my...
  6. shabbyshic

    Perch diameter, welded metal fencing size, treds on plank....

    Hi everyone - well the coop is almost done! - I just need some help with a few questions for the coop and run: - What is the ideal diameter for the perch's in the coop? How many perches would I need for 6 chickens? ( coop is 4 feet wide) - For the plank going up to the pop door, how far along...
  7. shabbyshic

    Is a 3 foot high run high enough?

    As I was driving to pick up my daughter from school i was thinking about whether it could have wheels welded on it. That would be interesting... make it mobile in the warmer weather. Have to to see what my DH thinks of that plan If that was the case, should I create a "floor" of chicken wire...
  8. shabbyshic

    Is a 3 foot high run high enough?

    Yes it will be covered. And the chickens will still have access to the coop at all times. The birds will be 2 months old at least when they move out of our basement, so they won't be teeny tiny. However, my concerns were what to do if I have to catch them in the coop, and if I need to clean it...
  9. shabbyshic

    Is a 3 foot high run high enough?

    Hi there! so looking for some advice from those with more experience. I have 6 chicks who will be moving outside in the next month or so. We are trying to put together a coop and run as frugally as possible. We have come across a metal structure that we could use as our permanent run. It is 10...
  10. shabbyshic

    How and where to compost chicken waste...

    So you put the poopy litter in the run? that is interesting.. what becomes of it in there? it just combines with the dirt (is that what you have as a base to your run?)
  11. shabbyshic

    How and where to compost chicken waste...

    So many great posts and ideas - thanks so much - i love reading all of this for ideas and plans. So if I do the deep litter method, and only clean out the coop every few months, how often should I lay new shavings on top of the old? weekly? And how dense?
  12. shabbyshic

    How and where to compost chicken waste...

    Hi there - so I am new to composting as well as chickens! I have 6 week old babes in a brooder.. and we are working on the coop. I need some help knowing: - How should I handle the waste from the chicks/chickens As of now I don't know which is the best method for the bedding in the coop...
  13. shabbyshic

    How can I build a run as cheaply as possible?

    mattb#00 : Quote: Where are you from? I'll give you 2 4x8 tractors that connect together to make a run big enough for 6 hens. Hey - wish i could take you up on the 2 tractors.. i am in ontario.. canada.. don't think i could pick them up Do you all recommend hardware cloth (is that the...
  14. shabbyshic

    How can I build a run as cheaply as possible?

    Hi there! I need some ideas on what materials to use to build a run for 6 chickens as inexpensively as possible. It does need to be predator proof as we have plenty of predators around here. We do have lots of snow and cold in the winter as well. Thanks! I appreciate any ideas !
  15. shabbyshic

    Help designing coop for cold Canadian winters!

    Ok - i have a few minutes while the kids are napping. So it does sound like working from an old shed is a good starting point. We do have an "ice hut" as I like to call it that we could work with. It is 4 x 8, plywood walls, and floor, it is raised on some 2 x 4's. It has a shingled slanted...
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