Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[Teila]

Today's Progress .....

Second part of the floor done.
Walls started.
Some of the bottom support frame started.
Some windows and doors done [not in picture].

We are having second thoughts on a timber roof ... will let you know what we decide.

 

[sjturner79]

Today's Progress ..... Second part of the floor done. Walls started. Some of the bottom support frame started. Some windows and doors done [not in picture]. We are having second thoughts on a timber roof ... will let you know what we decide.

A single layer timber roof is a bad plan. If you do make a timber root you need to make the timbers overlap like tiles or use sheet timbers, as any flat jointed timbers will leak, leading to wet chooks.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Today's Progress ..... Second part of the floor done. Walls started. Some of the bottom support frame started. Some windows and doors done [not in picture]. We are having second thoughts on a timber roof ... will let you know what we decide.

Looks great. Can't beat an iron roof, as long as there is enough overhang to run the water clear. Will your roof be hinged ? Hubby used a sheet of galvanized steel because it was easier to cut in the angles required . It was much easier to paint than roofing iron, but if buy ' seconds ' there are usually many colour st or choose from. I found the roofing iron we used on the main breeding pens on gumtree $100 for the lot.

Had enough left over to make this little brooder hut.

 

[Teila]

Thanks heaps Fancy anyone have any pros or cons for Polycarbonate sheeting?

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks heaps Fancy anyone have any pros or cons for Polycarbonate sheeting?

We used the laserlight to let in some winter sunshine in the main coops, but in a smaller coop it would let in too much light and it would be too hot in summer.

 

[Teila]

Thanks again Fancy; I really do appreciate the advice.

Do you think the Polycarbonate sheeting would be hotter than CGI? I was thinking a solid colour on the coop so not too much light coming in, but yeah, the possible heat worries me .. thinking a slightly shaded one on the run.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks again Fancy; I really do appreciate the advice.

Do you think the Polycarbonate sheeting would be hotter than CGI?  I was thinking a solid colour on the coop so not too much light coming in, but yeah, the possible heat worries me .. thinking a slightly shaded one on the run.

I think even the darkest shade over such a small enclosed area would heat up too much. To cover part of the run would be fine because there would be ample airflow. My Hungarian builder friend was telling me that you can get roofing iron in all colors down to 1.2 m lengths. The polycarbonate stuff is the newer version of what we call lazerlight and is a little more expensive than corrugated iron.

 

[User395221]

The thing with the alsynite is that it is breakable. The alsynite on my patio got wrecked in the big hail storm. All of the colorbond got dented, but the alsynite got broken.

They have different grades of alsynite and you can get ones that are high UV protection. They aren't cheap. You can get colorbond cheaper, especially if you can grab some secondhand from the classifieds or from a salvage yard.

Either way, having good ventilation under the roof keeps the heat out.

 

[Anniebee]

Oh yeah, tell me about it .. I am dreading 6pm bed time .. there will be squabbling and appealing

“But we do not sleep in here!” “Where is our roost?” “We are cramped!” “She is touching me” “We do not like change!”

I already feel bad about them having to all bunk in together .. I know they are just going to make me feel even worse come bed time.

As I said earlier .. I will share, warts and all and this is the first wart ..... We have effectively cut their accommodation and run in half now

We actually did try to construct off their current site but realised it was going to be too tricky to move and also tricky to brace with the poles not solid in the ground etc.

Hey Teila .... I think it's time to think of sending them down to "big time - she-who-must-be-obeyed, Mumma' ( me ), for a few lessons in chicken etiquette. !!

Mind you, I have only had to practice on 3 of them. !!

My girls ( boasting alert ) .... are so obedient 99% of the time. I don't know how I would go with more than 3 though !! ..... ha ha ha haaaaaaa.

One day ( ??? ) I hope to find out.

You shouldn't feel bad about anything Teila - as you are doing wonders for your chickens, and the little blighters should be grateful ( someone tell me when they have seen a truly grateful chicken, and I will sign over the deeds to my home. !! ).

Your coop re-arrangements are looking really great.

Cheers .....

 

[Anniebee]

When chickens start laying, are they fully grown so that the size of their eggs is the size they'll always be? I've got some little eggs I think from my easter eggers, just wondering whether they'll always just lay bantam-sized eggs or they'll keep growing and their eggs will increase in size.

potato chip ---

Short answer - NO.

Chickens of any size can lay eggs of any size, from small to large - and not dependent on the size of the chicken.

I have had whoppers from my little Mindy Araucana .... ( barring her freak outs with dropped and broken eggs, and a couple of soft-shells ). But what I call a 'normal' egg from her is around the size of 600 gram eggs from the supermarket.

My Molly RIR and Mandy Welsummer ( when laying ) can produce enormous eggs, then produce something that looks like it comes from a bantam chicken.

Mostly those two lay good sized eggs though - when laying ( which is hit and miss at the moment - have had a few eggs here and there, but moulting in various forms have taken over, yet both big girls have nice red combs, Molly RIR is still submitting to being covered, or just submitting to Mummas dominance.

Mandy has finished her moult ( I think it's her who is laying the occasional egg ) and is also submissive - occasionally. .

I would expect ( as Mindy Araucana has spears sticking out of her bum !!!

) she will lay again within about 4>5 weeks, after those 'spears' have blossomed into feathers. Most other feathers on her have finished re-growing. She is priceless. And she is eating reasonably well again - which is a good sign.

Cheers ........ ( hope this helps ).