Have just had an idea re perch- maybe I could just swap out the piece of pine that forms the top rung/perch with untreated wood, as that will be the roosting place of preference and they will just be using the ladder system to get up there. That's assuming all 10 of them will be able to squash in on it. It's only 86cm wide, so maybe not.
There's also another problem with their soon to be yard area, a close inspection has revealed that the chicken wire fencing (that we dug into the ground and weighted down with bricks, about 4 years ago has rusted away and the fencing is now able to be lifted up from the ground all the way around!
That's what got me wondering about treated pine in chook yards, because I was tossing up whether to use some treated pine boards that we have spare or corrugated sheet metal also spare, to put around base of fencing to eliminate the gaps. Any suggestions on this fencing prob are also welcome
The coop renovations have continued with yesterday spent cementing up gaps and holes at the base of the coop which has for years let in rain at the base. It looks much more water proof now and I'm hoping it will keep the saw dust dry as well as give those nasty mites no where to hide.
The chicks are now going into their 8th week now and I was thinking about putting them into the coop by the end of the week. Assuming I manage to get all the fencing/perch repairs done by then. They all seem fully feathered and have been going without their brooder light during the days and a few nights recently. Will I need to take the brooder light into the coop with them in case there's a few cold nights? How long do I keep them in the coop for to get them used to it, before letting them have the run of their yard?
Sorry for all the questions! Any advice much appreciated
There's also another problem with their soon to be yard area, a close inspection has revealed that the chicken wire fencing (that we dug into the ground and weighted down with bricks, about 4 years ago has rusted away and the fencing is now able to be lifted up from the ground all the way around!
That's what got me wondering about treated pine in chook yards, because I was tossing up whether to use some treated pine boards that we have spare or corrugated sheet metal also spare, to put around base of fencing to eliminate the gaps. Any suggestions on this fencing prob are also welcome
The coop renovations have continued with yesterday spent cementing up gaps and holes at the base of the coop which has for years let in rain at the base. It looks much more water proof now and I'm hoping it will keep the saw dust dry as well as give those nasty mites no where to hide.
The chicks are now going into their 8th week now and I was thinking about putting them into the coop by the end of the week. Assuming I manage to get all the fencing/perch repairs done by then. They all seem fully feathered and have been going without their brooder light during the days and a few nights recently. Will I need to take the brooder light into the coop with them in case there's a few cold nights? How long do I keep them in the coop for to get them used to it, before letting them have the run of their yard?
Sorry for all the questions! Any advice much appreciated
Got my fingers crossed appps and ChristieB 
Congrats on the new additions chooks01 and love the beautiful white gals! Devinandfeather lovely pictures of mumma and bubs and beautiful bubs Ash! satay aaaaw, your little Frizzle is adorable! Just popped in to share a couple of funny pics … please excuse the temporary fencing, we are in the process of renovating/refreshing/replacing etc. Tis the season to be broody, tra la la la la la la laaaaaaaaaaaa “If you stand on tippy toe and stretch your neck you can see the nest box!” ………… 
