Everybody that does this swears by the deep litter method. I personally cannot get over the fact that I am letting poop and waste decompose IN my chicken coop. I just cannot get past that whole idea. My coop isn't a composter. In any event, if done correctly - you'll see from all the threads...
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If you do not address this immediately he will continue to dominate you, and it can escalate to something worse. Take care of it now, or get rid of him if you can't manage it. You don't want a rooster in your flock that you're afraid of. And, if he attacks you, you'll become afraid.
Is your coop a tractor that you can move around? If not, I think you're going to want a run that is going to allow you to get in there with tools to clean and whatnot. They like to perch, so allowing them a space to get up off the ground is good. And, a word of advice, build bigger than you...
I scored a dog kennel from craigslist and use some of those panels with the other panels we had lying around to create a 12' x 20' outdoor run for the ladies. It is amazingly easy to work with, and very handy. I can easily break it down and put it on the other side of the coop if I want to -...
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I learn more and more everyday by coming to this site. My ladies are all starting to lay right now, I have 16 and so far we are up to 10 eggs a day, with a bulk increase on Saturday and Sunday. The ladies were going nutz and we had no idea why - now I know!!
Poop board! If I could post a pic of what the floor of my coop looks like under their roost just 2 days after cleaning it you'd vote poop board all the way! I just have to build and install them!
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Me too! I don't feel so bad knowing I'm not the only one with this problem. A chicken lovers work is never done! especially when you're familair with chicken MATH!
I had to look twice at the date (today) on the posts when duckyfromoz stated it was spring and the days were getting...
I am so glad I'm not the only one who feels like this! I have so much to do, and I don't want to post pics until it is completely done...but is it EVER done? Really?
Post some progress pics and we'll keep 'ya motivated to move on with the progress!
I am building a chicken tractor for my meat birds that were inspired by these PVC coop plans. I choose PVC because it would be lightweight and easy for me to move around my yard without the help of my DH. Cost-wise, I'm not sure it is much cheaper. And along the lines of what another poster...
I have 17 birds...we do water and food in the coop. I leave water in the run, and have a small feeder that I fill daily and bring it to them for their run when I'm giving them their produce for the day. I'm already bringing something out, so it isn't a big deal to set it out, or pull it at...
This post comes at a good time and is along the same lines of the OP, so I'm looking forward to your feedback!
I have 11 ladies I got as day old chicks (Aracaunas/Wyandottes/Buffs). Then I got 6 18 week old pullets (RIR/Leghorn crosses) in May/June, and I introduced them to the existing birds...
We bought a hog panel and used zip ties to secure it into a round cylinder, we cover it with tarps if we are going to get a lot of rain. Works well for us, but then again we have 17 chickens, 2 pigs that we feed 800# of produce on a weekly basis. We load ours up, and we mix in chicken...
I wouldn't ecourage them to lay their eggs under the roost, the eggs will get quite dirty and gross. Like other suggested, get a bucket, milkcrate, even a cat littler box and encourage them to lay in there. I wouldn't put it directly under the roost, b/c that will get covered in poop. Their...