I had a roost on a swing that no one ever used and there's a low to the ground roost that doesn't get much attention. They seem to like an old wooden box that I had as an extra nesting box. I agree that cleaning would be more of an issue and maybe I could swap small platforms for short 2x4...
I'm looking for ideas on how to build a vertical perch for inside my run. I picture a series of small ascending platforms that my girls can climb, similar to what cats have. Does anyone have a picture or plans? Building it is easier for me than visualizing it!
Thanks in advance for any ideas -
Thanks again folks...I'm beginning to think I have been selfish in wanting more chickens with the coop I have. This started when I lost 2 of my 4 hens last year. The others had stopped laying at only 2 yrs of age so I wanted to have some younger hens come up through the ranks so maybe I'd have...
Thanks all for your ideas. I have the 'Playhouse Coop', an 8x4 ft run with a raised inside coop, 2x4' containing a nesting box and roost. The portable tractor is 5x10 ft. When the small girls are in the tractor everyone else hangs outside it (or on top!) so they do get face time together. I can...
I think I've made a mistake trying to introduce 2 3 month old girls in with my other 4 hens - 2 gentle older girls and 2 feisty pullets. One of the new girls seems to be holding her own and though she gets pecked on a little she's ok. It's Hazel, the only Araucana, who is taking all the abuse...
Thanks so much for all the good information. I need to check more carefully about the white around the vent and check for mites. I've only had chickens for two years so a lot of this is pretty new. I know when Althea first became sick, and then Eunice too, the first thing I noticed was loose...
I'm hoping some of you with more experience can give me a hand. I have 4 girls and in April my 2 yr old Wyandotte, Althea, started to have runny stools stuck to her vent. She also became lethargic over several days. I took her to the vet who found worms. I treated her and 2 of the others (I...
Help! I'm looking for some advice on how to get my girls back into laying again...3 of 4 are 16 months old, the last is 13 months..they have been great layers since the winter, taking no break until 'their' summer vacation in July. The youngest went 'broody' then and hasn't laid since, and the...
Definitely urban, north of Boston.
8000' lot, neighbors real close but everyone loves the 'girls' and the kids are always visiting. The yard has lots of fun places for the girls who are out and about quite a bit when I am home as they stay in the yard. No roosters allowed per the city (I'm...
Carla, thanks for the picture to add to WoodlandWoman's practicle suggestion of a wire skirt outside the run. It makes so much sense to do it this way and seems to solve the predator problem and quality of life issue for the girls. Now I can go back and add the wire after the coop is done and...
Thanks again for all the responses... I can better explain the coop setup by saying I took one look at the 'Playhouse Coop' seen on the design page (red 'raised' ranch with white trim and a green roof) and I knew that was the coop for me. I'm probably overcompensating for living 'downtown' with...
Thanks for your responses...you both raise questions I hadn't considered. The actual coop is 2' off the ground and has a wooden door that can be closed at night. Since I was going to leave food and water outside in the run I was thinking they might like the door open as the warm weather has...
Hello, this is my first posting (to any forum ever!) and question since my 4 chicks arrived 3 weeks ago. Their new coop is 'under construction' at a fast pace as they are quickly outgrowing their in-house accomodations (though I will miss them when they move outside..).
My question relates to...