Arizona Chickens

[igorsMistress]

They put him on amoxicillin and clavimax but this says it’s not a good idea for him to be on antibiotics

After the antibiotics maybe add some probiotics to their water a few times during the next week. Just like people they’ll help his gut develop good bacteria again and may help with recovery. I hope your guy is ok!

 

[Suzzers]

I raised chickens in AZ though I don't live there anymore (I'm from Vail, which was about 45 minutes from Tuscon) definitely have good water, watch out for predators, and have a sturdy coop that can withstand a larger animal. I even had to make my girls a run made of chain link just because the predators were everywhere in my part of AZ!

 

[Happy Novogens]

Newbie question about roosting and roofing.

As some of you know, I'm working on a chicken run for a few hens. I read that the perch for roosting must be above the opening of the nestbox because they will roost at whichever is higher. Is this true?

I have my nestbox in the far back of the run in this photo. I can put a 2x4 as a perch just about anywhere in the run, I suppose. But I'm coming up blank on a way to provide some sort of cover inside the run for over this perch and the feeding area -- a rainproof cover that of course would also provide shade. (one that won't blow away)

Since I have extra pallets (none the same size) I kinda had this in mind (pic from the internet) BUT with this idea, the perches would all be lower in height than the nestbox.

Any suggestions?

 

[igorsMistress]

Newbie question about roosting and roofing.

As some of you know, I'm working on a chicken run for a few hens. I read that the perch for roosting must be above the opening of the nestbox because they will roost at whichever is higher. Is this true?

I have my nestbox in the far back of the run in this photo. I can put a 2x4 as a perch just about anywhere in the run, I suppose. But I'm coming up blank on a way to provide some sort of cover inside the run for over this perch and the feeding area -- a rainproof cover that of course would also provide shade. (one that won't blow away)
View attachment 3181916

Since I have extra pallets (none the same size) I kinda had this in mind (pic from the internet) BUT with this idea, the perches would all be lower in height than the nestbox.
View attachment 3181917
Any suggestions?

Why don’t you leave the nest box on the ground? It doesn’t have to be mounted anywhere and you can put it wherever. Then the height of the roost doesn’t matter because it would be higher.

As for attaching cover, I would put a tarp over the area you want covered, from the outside rather than in. It’s easier that way and when it needs replacing it’ll be easier. Another option is to attach some 2x4s to the sides and use a piece of plywood at a slight angle for runoff as your cover. You structure looks pretty big for that though, so that might not work.

Also, maybe post your question in the coop building forum. You’ll likely get a lot of suggestions from folks who have similar setups
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

 

[Happy Novogens]

Why don’t you leave the nest box on the ground? It doesn’t have to be mounted anywhere and you can put it wherever. Then the height of the roost doesn’t matter because it would be higher.

As for attaching cover, I would put a tarp over the area you want covered, from the outside rather than in. It’s easier that way and when it needs replacing it’ll be easier. Another option is to attach some 2x4s to the sides and use a piece of plywood at a slight angle for runoff as your cover. You structure looks pretty big for that though, so that might not work.

Also, maybe post your question in the coop building forum. You’ll likely get a lot of suggestions from folks who have similar setups
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

Well shoot. I built my nestbox so that the eggs would roll back to the bin that would extend outside the back of the run. I raised it to keep our (large) dogs from messing with it (and so I wouldn't have to bend down ). Not sure I want to put it lower, but if I don't, I'll have to figure out the roost.

You got me thinking about the slanted plywood idea (but for inside the run). I'd probably have to put something water-proof over it--maybe-- It's not like we get a lot of rain!

 

[BlueBaby]

Newbie question about roosting and roofing.

As some of you know, I'm working on a chicken run for a few hens. I read that the perch for roosting must be above the opening of the nestbox because they will roost at whichever is higher. Is this true?

I have my nestbox in the far back of the run in this photo. I can put a 2x4 as a perch just about anywhere in the run, I suppose. But I'm coming up blank on a way to provide some sort of cover inside the run for over this perch and the feeding area -- a rainproof cover that of course would also provide shade. (one that won't blow away)
View attachment 3181916

Since I have extra pallets (none the same size) I kinda had this in mind (pic from the internet) BUT with this idea, the perches would all be lower in height than the nestbox.
View attachment 3181917
Any suggestions?

If you put the nesting boxes higher then the roost's, they would most likely pick the higher up nesting boxes to sleep in.

 

[CaroleW]

I bought a very nice tarp at tsc. When we tried to put it up, it nearly lifted me (and my considerable derriere) off the ground. So... The knuckleheads currently have a tree and a couple of lean to pallets for shade. I'm trying to work up the intestinal fortitude to cut slits in the tarp.

It's hard to intentionally cut the tarp - I know. I've come to learn that if this item doesn't serve it's purpose then it is useless to me.

So without slits the tarp not only doesn't help you it actually hinders your operation in windy conditions. Make the slits @Sacaroni!

 

[springvalley123]

It's hard to intentionally cut the tarp - I know. I've come to learn that if this item doesn't serve it's purpose then it is useless to me.

So without slits the tarp not only doesn't help you it actually hinders your operation in windy conditions. Make the slits @Sacaroni!

So true, maybe take the gamble with a smaller tarp? Or be prepared with duct tape if/when it runs??

 

[Stacaroni]

It's hard to intentionally cut the tarp - I know. I've come to learn that if this item doesn't serve it's purpose then it is useless to me.

So without slits the tarp not only doesn't help you it actually hinders your operation in windy conditions. Make the slits @Sacaroni!

I found a stash of tarps that are of various qualities. One of them will get slits. Probably not the expensive one.

 

[springvalley123]

If you put the nesting boxes higher then the roost's, they would most likely pick the higher up nesting boxes to sleep in.

They might prefer to sleep on top of the nest boxes, since that's higher than the inside of the boxes. You could have roosts higher than the opening of the nest boxes, and put a steep roof or wire or something to block access to the top of the nest box. I've used left over shade cloth from the roof of the pen to the top of the nestbox to keep them from roosting on the box, and the roosts were higher than the inside of the box so they didn't want to roost in the box, it being the lowest point.