Recent content by stavo

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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Oh, and I don't know how long until we move there permanently. It depends on how long it takes our son to --- pardon the real bad pun --- fly the coop.
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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Yes, initially it was going to be a coop among the fruit trees. Now I'm seeing that the orchard needs a fence. To give a little better picture of our current setup, it started with a 4x4 henhouse attached to an 8x12 covered run. But the flock outgrew the henhouse, so I added a number of...
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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Overhead netting outside of the coop would be difficult only because it will be in a fruit orchard. I feel that short of a bear, I can make the coop itself predator proof... other than if they enter before the door closes. When I build the fencing around the orchard, it will be 7-8 feet tall...
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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Yes, expect the unexpected, but even then something will probably come up. The flock size will likely shrink pretty soon by attrition. Half of the flock is up there in years. But I don't think space would be an issue. The coop is already large, and the area that they'd free range in is a...
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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Interesting... I hadn't considered that. You think they'd still wander off if it's the same coop that they're used to? I plan to disassemble it and move it there. How about if I get a rooster, would that help to keep the flock together? I guess I could fast-track my plans to surround the...
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    Semi-automatic coop and flock - can it exist?

    Let me start by saying that I'm a relatively experienced chicken owner. I've had a mixed flock of typically 10-20 hens for the past seven years. I'm the primary caregiver, and I've been fortunate to have my mother-in-law on site who takes care of them whenever I'm away. Unfortunately, our...
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    Zero Eggs!😫

    Got some great advice on this thread while my hens had virtually stopped laying in the winter. Sure enough, they're back to almost max production now. So my new plan is to add 2-3 new chicks every spring so that they hopefully will not molt the first winter and can get me by with eggs until...
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    Zero Eggs!😫

    Yes, the winter layers were less than 10-12 mos old. I guess what I'm hearing is that their molt is not as bad the first year so it doesn't affect production as much. Among the 15 the main layers are an orpington, 2 americaunas, 4 swedish flowers, 2 blue isbars, 2 easter eggers, and a cream...
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    Looking for camera for coop

    Thanks, all. I'll look into the Wyze. I have no power source there so I'll need battery plus WiFi capable - hopefully they offer those features.
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    Zero Eggs!😫

    Well thank you for that response, which puts my mind more at ease. Just odd that this is not what I experienced my first two winters with chickens. Is it safe to say that was due to them being pullets?
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    Looking for camera for coop

    Can anyone recommend a camera (preferably wireless) that I can install in my coop to monitor the nesting boxes? I'd like to be able to see when there are eggs to collect and also identify which hens are doing the laying. That part of the coop is smallish, so the distance would be about 3 feet.
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    Zero Eggs!😫

    aart (or anyone else for that matter), are you saying that sometimes pullets will lay through their first winter but then shut it down completely in subsequent winters? I have a mixed flock of fifteen 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year olds. They all slowed slightly through their first winter, but still...
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    Grape arbor height

    I'm not sure yet, still need to research. They'll be table grape varieties, and I'll make sure they have longer growing vines.
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    Grape arbor height

    I think I'm going to shoot for about 8 ft, just for easy walk through.
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    Grape arbor height

    Does anyone have experience with trellising grape vines over an arbor? I'm trying to determine how tall to build the arbor so that I ( or any 6 ft person) can pass underneath without crouching. I figure I need to leave clearance for the grape clusters and whatever sag of the vines off the...
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