Recent content by Ted Brown

  1. Ted Brown

    Is Diatomaceous Earth Safe?

    The consensus view on BYC is that it is not effective on mites or other such pests. ChatGPT AI says: "it can also cause respiratory issues if inhaled, leading to lung irritation and chronic conditions. Additionally, DE can cause skin irritation and dehydration in chickens due to its drying...
  2. Ted Brown

    Ladder to roosting bar. Need help.

    I do not use a ramp, switched to tree trunk sections. Works very well and takes less floor space. My drop board is 30" off a floor with deep bedding over. So far no foot/leg injuries.
  3. Ted Brown

    New coop being built suggestions about possibly issues with the design or other things would be greatly appreciated!

    @casportpony Subtleness suits you!
  4. Ted Brown

    pressure treated lumber?

    Safe to use but not needed in those applications. Plain lumber & /or plywood.
  5. Ted Brown

    Installing auto door in hardware cloth

    I have not done this. The thought that occurred to me was to build two wooden frames, one for either side of the HC and screwed together. The door could then be mounted on the outside much the same as if you had wooden walls. Good luck!
  6. Ted Brown

    What’s your (or your chickens) favorite type of roost bar?

    I used 2'x3' rough cut wood, wide side up. I did, of course, sand smooth and then rounded the edges with a small round over router bit. Dimensions did not change much so 1/2 smaller than 2x4 on the wide side, 1/2 bigger on the narrow side. I have easy access to rough cut lumber, less expensive...
  7. Ted Brown

    What can I seal the coop floor with after chickens have moved in? (fast drying time)

    My sister actually did the application so my memory is a bit foggy. I believe it took 3 days elapsed; first application was done morning of day 1, 24 hours to dry (warm sunny day and huge ventilation from coop); 2nd application PM of day 2, 24 hours to dry. We immediately added bedding and moved...
  8. Ted Brown

    What can I seal the coop floor with after chickens have moved in? (fast drying time)

    I used BJ57, two coats, 6 years ago. Last Spring when I did my annual coop clean out floor had lightened in colour (dust) but was intact. I used to keep water fountains inside and spill would cause the bedding underneath to freeze, I just ignored it; those areas are no different than the rest...
  9. Ted Brown

    SERIOUS rat problem

    @Al Gerhart I knew that was your intent even if some questioned whether ads were permitted. "Plowing over the same ground" is common across many topics on BYC. As are folks who want to DIY coop design with scant knowledge of what chickens need/want nor what predators will find a way to have...
  10. Ted Brown

    Chantecler Thread!

    Melissa, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your flock. I too have had losses not of that magnitude but know of the ups/down. I originally got fertilized eggs from Rejean Girard, had a low percentage hatch rate but got a total of 10 or so chicks. I raised them as part of my flock but learned...
  11. Ted Brown

    SERIOUS rat problem

    @Al Gerhart I posted above as information, did not intend to suggest your (& Howard E's) sanitation, exclusion, elimination approach was incorrect. I guess gas would fall into the elimination portion as an alternative to poison (although sulphur is toxic so perhaps just another version).
  12. Ted Brown

    SERIOUS rat problem

    Sulphur Gas Apologies if this has been raised herein (DRTL). I have just read that Winnipeg Manitoba will use sulphur gas to control ground squirrels in some of their public parks. The gas is introduced into the burrows and "suffocates" anything in them. Note that sulphur gas is toxic to both...
  13. Ted Brown

    Need advice for the best vines and plants for in a chicken run!

    Somewhere in the masses of posts I have seen low wooden frames on the ground covered with HC and plants inside. The plants grow and emerge through the screen which allows the chickens to snack.
  14. Ted Brown

    SOP's Can you help, or do you want to learn?

    You are welcome but the credit for posting should be to @Sic who originally posted the link and to @Mrs. K who started this thread and asked that it be included here (I copied from Sic's post). Moreover, I sort of started this but Mrs. K elaborated and has attracted responses that I have found...
  15. Ted Brown

    SOP's Can you help, or do you want to learn?

    I agree with @Mrs. K, "If you just want chickens - don't sweat it". I have zero experience breeding to the SOP however, several years back I discovered that Canada has a breed (Chantecler) developed about two hours from where I live. Acquiring some was a natural but actually getting to a...
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