I built this coop starting with grandchildren's outgrown sandy pit. Moved the box and leveled it here. I covered the 8'X8' treated-wood base with 1/4 hardware cloth and plywood. Used 2x4's make up the studs set 16" on center. The front stands a full stud high, while the back is 6 1/2 feet high...
Yea, Whitewater! Now, what's wrong with Janesville and Beloit. Rumor has it that both are considering a chicken ordinance.
AND. . . how are you enjoying this firs snowfall? Looks like the wind is picking up and the snlw is getting dryer. Nope! Not going anywhere myself other than out side to...
Welcome to the BYC gang.
I just want to say ditto to # 8. Decide how big you want your coop and then make it bigger. Chicken math is insidious and insatiable. You will quickly run out of room if you go with your first size choice.
Love, Smart Red
Last year I bought chicks of just two breeds - Australorp and Light Brahmas. This year I ordered more of a variety. I now have 9 chickens and each is a different breed except for Nesco who is a cross hatched this May from my Lt. Brahma and Monte, an Australorp rooster.
I now have one of each...
Some things like autism, separation anxiety, or other disorders may not be easily identified by watching behavior for a short time. I would rather err on the side of caution, count my blessings, and go about my business with a smile.
Love, Smart Red
Howdy! So glad you've found this site. It the best place for answers, questions, tips, help, friendship, and all things fowl.
Welcome to BYC!
Love, Smart Red
Precious ChickenFan, there are so many possible reasons for your mother's behavior and for your reaction and feelings toward that behavior. To list even a small part of them would take a long time. Seeking another trusted adult (such as a counselor) - as so many others suggested - is a really...
Do look around. My past Vet offered something for my (then) dog when she experienced atrophied muscles in her right front leg. Not diysplasia, of course, but these supplements - he called them digestive enzymes - made a huge and speedy difference.
The Vet had a binder of articles about this...
Joe, I have a rescued chocolate lab that was about 4 years old when I first got my chicks. Thanks to her, I have no woodchucks or gophers on the property anymore. She chases everything squirrel, chipmunk, raccoon, opossum, rabbit, coyote, and even skunk (three times at last count.) Therefore, I...
I vote for 12 from the wall and 18 between the roosts. That's what I've heard. I have only 9 inches (half of that 18) from the wall - with nary a problem with poo on the wall so far - and 18 inches between the roosts with no problems from my dual-purpose flock.
Love, Smart Red
Welcome to the BYC site. So sorry to hear about your chickens.
I agree that dogs pose perhaps the biggest problem for chickens. They are not afraid of human scent, like to chase anything that moves, will kill for fun rather than for food.
If you know whose dog did this, you may get some...
I would remove the big ones and return them slowly in a few days one at a time. This will give your youngsters the feeling that they own the coop. Returning the big chickens one at a time will upset the pecking order each time, giving the young ones confidence. I returned my gentlest elders...
Once my day old chicks have started eating their feed, my grandchildren love to search for spiders in the basement for the chicks. The spiders don't stand a chance at that age even.
Love, Smart Red
Welcome to BYC, fellow Wisconsin-ite. We're waiting for our nearest city to become 'enlightened' to the value of chickens.
Fortunately, we're out in the sticks and can play fowl as much as we want. Our 9 year old granddaughter keeps trying to get a pair of chickens at her home in town. As she...
How-de-do! Glad to have you join us at BYC. It is the site for all things fowl so you're going to love it here.
My coop is 8 x 8 and was almost instantly too small. Where will you store their feed? Litter? Extras? Room to separate new or sick birds? That size might be okay for bantam breeds...
Welcome to the BYC site! It is the 'to go' place for all things fowl.
One hen, huh? I'll bet chicken math quickly takes you over. You're going to love these feathered clowns.
Love, Smart Red