Beginning of the chicken coop and run

[Cetawin]

Oh wow those things are great covers. My friend has her hot tub under one outside...we sit in it and watch it snow. LOL.

You said the poles are too short...as in the poles themselves or the overall height? If it is overall height, go to the building supply and buy those concrete blocks that have the centers partially open. You can slid the pole into it and even concrete it in if you wanted to...it will raise it about 6".

Of course your MLW wants to add flowers and dress it up...she is a woman. I want flowers around my run and also a flower box on their coop.

My DH merely shakes his head and says "okie dokie then...go ahead they are your chickens and if you want them to have flowers then give em flowers".

I am considering planting Sunflowers around my run but I am also looking at some vine types for a more year round coverage. Here are some links to plants safe for birds...let her look at them...there were also some posts in theforum here you can search for about flowers around runs.

Interesting link with some good specifics but not a complete list IMHO

http://www.kippengrabbelton.be/plants/indexplant.htm

Extensive list of safe plants on this site:

http://www.busybirds.net/Safe.html

Another great list os safe plants:

http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/plntsafe.htm

Post pics of the new stuff when you get it complete.

Edit: avoid roses if you have deer around...they will eat them down to the stem!

 

[dixygirl]

Quote:
An evergreen, flowering vine could be used into the overhead net.

Cross Vine is good for that as well as creeping rose vines.

In addition to the thorns helping to deter predators, the scent will be divine.
Another good one is wistaria...although not long in flower.

It may take a few years to get a good cover going but it will be worth it.

 

[fuisha]

Hi Im brand new love the wisteria Im just thinking about adding the coop to the side of the shed your yard looks amazing Im nots ure about the ordiance if I can have them or not went to website but its not clear it mainly talke about having cats dogs and ferretts well you are my first message I live in florida how bout you

 

[AircraftMech]

Quote:
The poles that go from the peak to the sides are the ones that are too short. I'm thinking pvc pipe that I can cut to length. Only thing is I'm not sure about the strength of the pvc. I was thinking to increase the strength of the pipe I could fill it with that spray foam. That will be a messy job but should work. Let me know what you think about that.

fuisha
I'm in central Oregon, Bend to be exact.

Is Virgina Creeper a good, safe plant to use? I didn't see it on any of the lists. Does anybody know anything about it? Let me know.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[dixygirl]

Quote:
Do you have a house with a yard? That is usually all that matters particularly if you are zoned Rural. It would only be a problem if there are community covenants or if your pets are filthy and not well looked after.

Many of the chicken coops on here are cleaner than the average American's bathroom though LOL

. Probably would not work if you are living in an apartment though .

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
Wisteria is toxic to chickens. Not a good choice.

 

[AircraftMech]

Quote:
Do you have a house with a yard? That is usually all that matters particularly if you are zoned Rural. It would only be a problem if there are community covenants or if your pets are filthy and not well looked after.

Many of the chicken coops on here are cleaner than the average American's bathroom though LOL

. Probably would not work if you are living in an apartment though .

 

[AircraftMech]

O.K.
We made a change to the roof of the run. I am planning on posting the pictures tomorrow. But here is my question. We have a couple of hawks that live here in the neighborhood and I am wanting to know what to use to cover it with. Do I use the netting that I see on line or do I use "plain" chicken wire? I think that the netting would be easier to put up, but how well does it hold up? Also, can you use Virgina Creeper on the sides of the run? Is it chicken "safe"? I am going to plant some honey suckle, but I am hoping to mix in some Va Creeper for the awesome color it has in the fall.

Let me know what you guys think.
Thanks again, Chris

 

[Dawn419]

Hi Chris,

According to this list of Toxic Plants for poultry:

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#P

Virginia Creeper (Parthinenocissus quinquefolia) won't harm the chickens at all.


Dawn

 

[AircraftMech]

Thank you for the information Dawn. I'm still figuring out a bunch of different things for the coop & run. I look at something and then don't like the way I did it, so I go back and change it. I'll never get this done if I keep doing that, so I guess I need to quit it. But I always find a "better" way to do after I step back and look at what I have done, so who knows? MLF just keeps shaking her head. I guess she has me figured out. LOL