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    Manure

    I was wondering about hot, dry situations. I was watering parts of the chicken yard last year to help the grass survive and to make the ground more welcoming to yummy worms, etc. Kept the poop picked up, but still more flies than I liked. However, I didn't add water to the covered run very...
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    Manure

    Regarding sheet or pile composting - I think you'd want to cover the manure with a carbon of some sort (dried leaves, wood chips) to keep flies away.
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    Review by 'Boise-girls' in article 'Coop Build 2020 Yes We Are Nuts - From the “Red BarnHouse Ranch”.'

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    Tractors Supply Pen/Run

    I've just put pavers around the perimeter, except where it butts onto concrete. Our predators are mostly cats, hawks and owls, so it works for those. I do plan to put down a hardware cloth apron, as raccoons pass through our area on rare occasions. If bird flu keeps heading west, I'll need to...
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    Tractors Supply Pen/Run

    I have two. They're pretty sturdy, work well and are easy to assemble, but definitely require additional predator protection, depending on predators. Rosemarythyme's suggestions make sense.
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    Ventilation in nesting boxes?

    I don't know how hot it gets in Tasmania, but here we had several weeks above 100 last summer, and I really struggled to keep the hens cool-ish while they were laying. Those cozy nest boxes are too cozy in hot weather! If you get high temps, ventilated or even open-top nest boxes are a must...
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    Vines for my guinea coop.

    Virginia creeper will grow in all kinds of conditions, provides lots of shade and has small blue berries that birds love. (They're toxic for humans, though.) Zones 5-11. Virginia creeper info
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    Artificial grass

    Besides what's already been said, I would worry that they'd scratch at it looking for munchies, and end up getting a toe nail stuck in it or eat a long thread that could cause real problems.
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    Thoughts or advice on this coop?

    That is a cute coop, and it's great that you have a handy, willing hubby! I would make both the coop and run as large as practical, even with banties (which is what I have). Even if you're planning to free-range, there may be times you'll need to keep them shut in for extended periods -...
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    Concept Feedback -- "Chicknic Pavilion"

    Good point!
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    Experience using caye ne pepper in food to deter squirrels?

    I tried it, didn't seem to deter the squirrels. Maybe I needed to use more! What's working best for me is keeping the "bird" feeders (AKA squirrel feeders) filled in another area of the yard. That's obviously not going to help with your dog. I think it's worth a try, given how sensitive their...
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    What to use for dust bath

    I use a mix of potting soil (no vermiculite, perlite or fertilizer), coir fiber and either sand or sandy soil. Our soil is really alkaline, so we don't usually add wood ash to anything. They seem to like it best if I also throw in a handful of chopped straw. 😊
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    Concept Feedback -- "Chicknic Pavilion"

    Would screen cloth (like for screen doors) work for any of it? Obviously not predator proof.
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    Give me a viable Eglu Cube alternative

    From what I've read on BYC, if you have bears, you'll need hot wires regardless of the pen you use. I have two connected 8x8 universal poultry pens from Tractor Supply, which I think might be a little sturdier than the Eglu (but I might be wrong). You'd need to add predator proofing to either...
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    Review by 'Boise-girls' in article 'Utilizing the Parrot Chop Principle to Improve Chicken Diets'

    I'm definitely going to try this, although will start small. My girls ignore cabbage, barley sprouts, squash and several of the things they're "supposed" to love. They do adore berries, though. I think maybe the tiny pieces will help, especially for banties. I appreciate the combination of...
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    Tips for keeping a flock warm?

    Don't know how much this will help, but when we had a cold snap, I piled straw against their pop door - I could see daylight around the edges. I also tore up some old wool blankets to curtain the windows, and moved a couple hens from their normal roosts to warmer spots. Good luck! Always such...
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    I don’t know how to build things but I’ll try anyway

    2x4s are stronger and usually finished better. If you're seeing recommendations for 2x3s, it's probably because they're cheaper, not better. Keep the 2x4s you've already purchased!
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    floor space vs roost space

    Poop boards are awesome! I didn't think I needed them because I only have six hens and it was pretty easy to pick up roost poop in the morning. I actually installed them as an aid for getting on roosts. I can't believe how easy they make clean-up! A couple of minutes, tops, and would be less if...
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    help!!!!

    It's awfully small! The run portion (minus roof overhang and nest box) is only 18" wide by about 4' long. About the size of my coffee table. The coop itself is about 18"x20". Get out a tape measure and mark it somewhere so you really understand how small it is. Much too small IMO.
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    Chicken pavilion!

    12-15 inches?!! OMG! Love the pavilion!
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