Building My First Coop

[K0k0shka]

Wohoo! Congrats! Beautiful color egg.

 

[adirondak5]

Wohoo! Congrats! Beautiful color egg.

Thanks , yea , its pretty cool .

 

[Merrymouse]

Well , she finally settled in a nest for about 15 - 20 minutes and left this behind

Its not a very large egg , here is another pic next to a brown large egg (store bought) for comparison .

The pullet that layed this egg was suppose to be one of the 4 Red Stars but we always kinda figured she wasn't a Red Star (which is fine with us) , smaller bird , different shape tail , color than the other 3 Red Stars . The egg is an olive color .
Here's a picture of her , she's taking a dust bath right now and doesn't want to pose . (I'll get a better picture later) She is 20 -21 weeks old .

I think thats a pretty big egg for a first timer!!! Nice color too. Congrats!

 

[adirondak5]

I think thats a pretty big egg for a first timer!!! Nice color too. Congrats!

Thanks . Yes , the color is nice , and was a surprise .

 

[Bigbluefrog]

I picked up some horizontal nipples so I could make a water jug for the spring/summer/fall and not have to use the corded/heated winter water jug year round and out in the run . Also got a 3.5 gallon food grade bucket and a gamma seal screw on lid . Put them all together and tested for leaks . I'm about 3 months ahead of schedule with this but to keep from going stir crazy small projects keep me out of trouble .

I'll figure something out to keep the girls from roosting on the top of the bucket by the time its warm enough to go in the run .

Very nice! Where did you buy the horizontal nipples?
I loved reading and seeing the photos of your coop and run.
I might of missed this but I am curious what size the coop is and the run?
I also like Carolina coops, we got a used coop this past year for $100. It is made well but not designed like I would like. So we tweaked it but built a closed run (8 by 12ft).
we are in Wisconsin and finding heated water containers has been challenging.
I use a heated dog dish- gets dirty fast and needs to be cleaned daily.
The enclosed heated water dish will go about 2 days. So now I am curious about using horizontal nipples and what do you use for the bucket? Or is this a product we can buy
Thanks!

 

[adirondak5]

Very nice! Where did you buy the horizontal nipples?
I loved reading and seeing the photos of your coop and run.

Thanks much . The chicken nipples I got through Amazon , here's a link to the ones I got
chicken nipples

I might of missed this but I am curious what size the coop is and the run?

The coup itself is 6' wide x 5' long , the run including under the coup is 13' x 6'

So now I am curious about using horizontal nipples and what do you use for the bucket? Or is this a product we can buy
Thanks!

The heated water bucket I have plugged in inside the coup you can buy as an all in one unit , here is the link

heated water bucket

My outside water bucket I just use a food grade 3.5 gallon bucket with the horizontal chicken nipples installed .

 

[adirondak5]

Got another this morn from the same pullet . She got in the nest box as soon as she came off the roost , didn't even go outside and eat with the other girls when the door opened , paid the rent first .

 

[Bigbluefrog]

Thanks much . The chicken nipples I got through Amazon , here's a link to the ones I got
chicken nipples



The coup itself is 6' wide x 5' long , the run including under the coup is 13' x 6'



The heated water bucket I have plugged in inside the coup you can buy as an all in one unit , here is the link

heated water bucket

My outside water bucket I just use a food grade 3.5 gallon bucket with the horizontal chicken nipples installed .

Thanks! For a new chicken owner you got a wonderful set up. I was hesitant to use the nipples but after our first winter with the birds - I am rethinking it. They stir up quite a bit of dirt in the run and that water gets dirty quickly. Also the heated water container we use now is a pain as you have to flip it.
Enjoy your new chickens-
We have 7 !
2 Dominques, 1 Barred Rock, and 4 New Hampshire Reds. We get about 3 to 4 eggs a day
We got our first eggs on New Years Day!

 

[adirondak5]

Thanks! For a new chicken owner you got a wonderful set up. I was hesitant to use the nipples but after our first winter with the birds - I am rethinking it. They stir up quite a bit of dirt in the run and that water gets dirty quickly. Also the heated water container we use now is a pain as you have to flip it.
Enjoy your new chickens-
We have 7 !
2 Dominques, 1 Barred Rock, and 4 New Hampshire Reds. We get about 3 to 4 eggs a day
We got our first eggs on New Years Day!

Thank you . I tried or am still trying to make maint. and security as easy/simple as possible . I originally had a gravity water setup with the open pan and yea , dirty water very quickly , the horizontal nipple system is great in comparison IMO . Its all a learning experience and that makes it all fun . Glad you are enjoying the thread and having a good time with your chickies , fresh eggs are great .

 

[K0k0shka]

I have the same nipples and heated bucket wishlisted on Amazon! I'm also thinking of getting the same chicken cam. Your thread has been very useful, thank you again!