Recent content by wtrsfam4

  1. wtrsfam4

    Winter Weather Prep Advice

    Looking for some advice on winter weather prep in IL. We have a 4x8 coop that is 9ft tall and angles to 6ft in back. Plenty of ventilation and space for 8-10 chickens. Unfortunately, we are down to 4 chickens. Last winter was brutal and our rooster didn’t make it through last cold snap...
  2. wtrsfam4

    Adding things inside the run

    We do plan on covering the sides of the run with plastic. We added some tree stumps. Plan to add an outdoor roost area as well. Now for the dust bath...we have 4 girls and will never have more than 8. How big should this area be? We made a 15"x32" area and did a little cover (although the...
  3. wtrsfam4

    Adding things inside the run

    I am in need of some ideas of things to add to our chicken run. We have a 10x10 fenced-in area for our 4 girls. It has a cover and an old tree stump but that's it. Usually they are free-range during the day, but I am preparing for the winter months where we won't be letting them out as much...
  4. wtrsfam4

    Free Coop and Run Plans from Ana White

    We are working on this coop now. We are about $280 in so far, but have found a lot of free materials (floor, door, windows, some wood). We've only bought 16 2x4's and 6 sheets of siding. We did purchase a higher quality than the T1-11 siding, but it was only $12 more/sheet for pre-primed...
  5. wtrsfam4

    Coop Advice-Venting, Insulation & Materials

    Thank you both of you for the tips. I appreciate the advice.
  6. wtrsfam4

    Coop Advice-Venting, Insulation & Materials

    We have started building our coop and have decided to use the plans from Ana White's website. We already had a 4x8 base, several 2x4's to get us started, a door and shingles for the roof. Her design calls for the door on the shorter side, but since we are using a regular size door we will be...
  7. wtrsfam4

    Vent Issues & Enlarged Crop-Week Old Chick

    Yes, the crop stays large. And it seems to be the top part of vent is bubbled out, with a little flap part. I will try the Prep H cream & to put it back in. She is eating much better today, but still not displaying same behavior as other one.
  8. wtrsfam4

    Vent Issues & Enlarged Crop-Week Old Chick

    The saga continues with the chick I thought for sure would die last night. Picked this chick up Wednesday, and had a couple bouts of pasty butt that were taken care of quickly. Yesterday morning, the chick was on death's door laying down, shaking, chirping constantly. We spent the day...
  9. wtrsfam4

    Here goes nothing!

    Thanks, I did put her in her own box. We've done eggs & syringe fed water several times throughout today. She seemed to perk up for a bit, but is back down again. It isn't looking too promising at this point.
  10. wtrsfam4

    Sick Chick for a newbie

    Oh no, I'm so sorry. Thankful it was quick for her though. Ours is still holding on. I've been syringe feeding water & tried to feed some eggs. She had perked up some after the water. We'll see what happens in the next day.
  11. wtrsfam4

    Sick Chick for a newbie

    That's what I was afraid of. She is the runt & the other seems to be growing faster. We are doing some sugar water at the moment, as that is what we have available. Will try some corn meal mush. Thank you for that tip!
  12. wtrsfam4

    Here goes nothing!

    We have been talking about chickens for a couple years, and finally brought a couple home this week. Our 2 girls (barred rock) join our family of 3 boys (6,4,15mo) and the boys are excited about the new babies. We have plans to add a few more (and then probably more...cough Chicken Math cough)...
  13. wtrsfam4

    Sick Chick for a newbie

    Help! My 2 baby chicks were fine last night. The smaller one has had to be cleaned due to pasty butt a few times, but was running around with the other last night. Came out this morning to find her laying on her side, and lifeless. She is still breathing (although heavily) and chirping some...
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