Recent content by tmarsh83

  1. tmarsh83

    INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

    Hey all, been a while. Looks like a lot of new folks, and some of the reliables have moved on some. Used to post a bit, and circumstances meant that we moved and had to part with the flock. I may finally be getting back to the country, and I'm excited about it, so I'm trolling around again...
  2. tmarsh83

    Completely Self sufficient systems

    Several years ago, i started keeping garden pigs. We always had a garden. Anyone that has kept a garden knows that more of it doesn't get used than does. I think that usually applies to the fruits of our labor, but the sheer tonnage of crops versus what ends up in a pan or a can is huge. So...
  3. tmarsh83

    Best meat breeds?

    Are you keeping a running thread of your experience with this line anywhere? They got my attention as soon as I saw them, and just as soon as I can extricate myself from town and get back to where I want to be, these were on my experiment list. So your experience is very intriguing to me, and I...
  4. tmarsh83

    How to keep cement floor dry?

    It's probably condensation, depending on the size and setup. Cement is always going to be cooler than the air around, and if you add chickens into the equation, with their breathing, it's going to condense on the concrete.
  5. tmarsh83

    INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

    Pleasant surprise last night. Over the weekend I had moved the four five-week old chicks, and the adopted three week old chick to the coop. They were in a wire dog crate. I expected integration to take a couple weeks. The last couple days, I open the door enough so they could explore the...
  6. tmarsh83

    A wool hen - creating one today

    That's actually the primary reason I'm interested. We are planning on doing meat birds this year, during the summer, and I'm completely enthralled with the idea of not having the brood them in the garage during the summer.
  7. tmarsh83

    INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

    ugggggggggghhhh.... I was out with the birds last night and grabbed the one BR that doesn't mind being handled. Once I had her I got looking and I think I have a leg mite issue. Doing some more checking tonight, but ugh. Was proud that I hadn't had to deal with anything like this to this...
  8. tmarsh83

    Tips/Advice on Coop for 15-17 Chickens

    Use 8x8 of your coop for the birds, and 4x8 to organize feed, bedding, supplies, etc.
  9. tmarsh83

    A wool hen - creating one today

    I just want to thank you again for sharing this. Great alternative for people to consider, and you did a great job explaining it along the way. Awesome stuff.
  10. tmarsh83

    Coop Shame

    The ratio is roughly the same. The volume is vastly increased in a larger space. The yellow represents 3 birds in the smaller picture. Imagine it in thirds and you see how even if one of those chickens moves, it isn't AWAY from the other two chickens. The opposite is the case in the larger...
  11. tmarsh83

    Coop Shame

    I just attribute smart things I hear to you...
  12. tmarsh83

    Help needed w/ interior layout

    That would work. I'm not a big fan of tiered roosts, but I know a lot of people use them with no issues. Swinging up like that would certainly be preferable to removing screws to get them out. You'll need to watch the length of the stringer on the sides so the arc of the swing doesn't interfere...
  13. tmarsh83

    Hubby disinterested in poultry..

    If it is going to bring him joy, it has to be his choice.
  14. tmarsh83

    Coop Shame

    4/10 is just the "safe" number to use. My coop is slightly less than that, and will be closer to three than four by this summer. I expect no problems. Here's why. A) the free range. The coop is for roosting and laying. Even in winter, they get out and stretch their legs because rarely is the...
  15. tmarsh83

    Help needed w/ interior layout

    Put your roosts (make them easily removable) in the middle of the coop, with the nest boxes on the 15" deep wall of the middle coop. That a perfect depth for a next box and you can easily walk in and reach into the next boxes. Make the door swing off the left hand side, and it will create a...
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