California - Northern

[ronott1]

Amy,

Your could build nest boxes that go outside of the coop. I built mine and converted it into a roll out next box with two lids:



This is the back of it. The eggs roll out and I lift the lid to get them. You would have more room inside the coop, and you would not have to walk in to get the eggs.

For 16 layers you would need four nest boxes. Mine has three for the roll out Box and I have one inside the coop. I also have a nest box for each chicken hutch and inside the little coop. They use all of them...Silly chickens

Ron

 

[zooweemama]

Amy,

Your could build nest boxes that go outside of the coop. I built mine and converted it into a roll out next box with two lids:



This is the back of it. The eggs roll out and I lift the lid to get them. You would have more room inside the coop, and you would not have to walk in to get the eggs.

For 16 layers you would need four nest boxes. Mine has three for the roll out Box and I have one inside the coop. I also have a nest box for each chicken hutch and inside the little coop. They use all of them...Silly chickens

Ron

Hmmm...since I have about 10 weeks to go (oldest chick is 5 weeks old) I have time to buy materials over time and plan my boxes. How does this outside nest box thing work? I couldn't add it to the back of the coop because it's plywood inside and the outside is a giant piece of metal. I'd to see how this works though so maybe I can find another spot to put it.

I will have 2 roos (if they place nice. we will see.) and ideally 8 layers (possibly 10) until next Spring and let a broody or two sit on some eggs. So until Spring I shouldn't have more than 12 chickens total in my coop (2 fellas again if they play nice). If and HUGE if I collect more females along the way (before Spring) I won't go over my 16 chickens in the coop (per the minimum sizing req for an 8x8 coop). I figured 4 lay boxes couldn't hurt even if there were only 8 layers right? (can one have too many lay boxes?) It sounds like not since your ladies use all the ones you provide. hehe

 

[ronott1]

Quote: It does not take much to make them. They are just boxes made of exterior plywood with an angle roof with separators to make the individual boxes. A little patch of rolled roofing, hinges for the lid, 1/2 inch plywood, screws and some 2x2s for legs. You use a jig say to cut a rectangle for the opening and attach the box onto the outside. Just make the box lower than the roosts to discourage the hens from sleeping in it.

I will see if I can get the plans for you. My coop instructions came with a schematic for cutting all of the parts from 8x4 sheets of plywood. When finished, most of the wood was used. The nest box was cut out of extra pieces from the coop.

Ron

 

[mendocinosunris]

Hey Cheryl & all -
I won't be going to the party at the Omelet Ranch after all. I just got some new chickens the other day, & one of them has suddenly started sounding congested with rattly breathing. Thank goodness they're quarantined!!!
I don't want to accidentally spread something to you guys, so I'm grounded till I find out what this is. I'll cull the sick one tonight & send her to Davis for a necropsy.

 

[ronott1]

Hey Cheryl & all -
I won't be going to the party at the Omelet Ranch after all. I just got some new chickens the other day, & one of them has suddenly started sounding congested with rattly breathing. Thank goodness they're quarantined!!!
I don't want to accidentally spread something to you guys, so I'm grounded till I find out what this is. I'll cull the sick one tonight & send her to Davis for a necropsy.

Sorry to hear about the sick chicken!

Good job sending the chicken off for a necropsy

Let us know what the report says.

We will have a high of between 102 and 104 today. Tomorrow the temperature is suppose to reach 106 here.

I am worried about the chickens.

Ron

 

[cherylcohen]

Hey Cheryl & all -
I won't be going to the party at the Omelet Ranch after all. I just got some new chickens the other day, & one of them has suddenly started sounding congested with rattly breathing. Thank goodness they're quarantined!!!
I don't want to accidentally spread something to you guys, so I'm grounded till I find out what this is. I'll cull the sick one tonight & send her to Davis for a necropsy.

Ah shucks you'll be missed but thanks for caring about not spreading stuff.

 

[zooweemama]

Soooo here are pics of my 3 week old BC Marans. It's hard to tell the difference between them. #2 is def a cockerel. So far I am NOT having luck with Marans at all. I bought 2 to start with- both dudes. Now I have these 6 and I think I see 2 pullets maybe? Boo! LOL

 

[zooweemama]

Sorry to hear about the sick chicken!

Good job sending the chicken off for a necropsy

Let us know what the report says.

We will have a high of between 102 and 104 today. Tomorrow the temperature is suppose to reach 106 here.

I am worried about the chickens.

Ron

Suppose to be 108-109 here.

I've got a sprinkler on mist for them and a bunch of frozen 2 liters in a clump- hoping they will figure it out. Put some frozen peaches in a bowl of water to see if they'd like to peck at the peaches.

 

[ronott1]

Soooo here are pics of my 3 week old BC Marans. It's hard to tell the difference between them. #2 is def a cockerel. So far I am NOT having luck with Marans at all. I bought 2 to start with- both dudes. Now I have these 6 and I think I see 2 pullets maybe? Boo! LOL

Yes, two pullets for sure and one cockerel for sure. Watch the other three. One other already has wattles, so cockerel for sure.

The last two are probably cockerels, but if the combs stay yellowish and the wattles aren't growing in three more weeks then you will be lucky.

Sorry. My 7 were five pullets and two cockerels. Just the luck of the draw with hatching and picking out chicks.

Very nice looking chicks!

Bye,

 

[zooweemama]

Yes, two pullets for sure and one cockerel for sure. Watch the other three. One other already has wattles, so cockerel for sure.

The last two are probably cockerels, but if the combs stay yellowish and the wattles aren't growing in three more weeks then you will be lucky.

Sorry. My 7 were five pullets and two cockerels. Just the luck of the draw with hatching and picking out chicks.

Very nice looking chicks!

Bye,

2-6 are what Copper and Samson looked like. Samson looked like #2 and Copper looked like #6. So it looks like I may only end up with 2 pullets and 1 cockerel for my BC Marans. The rest will be good eatin' in about 2 months right? LOL

Looks like I may have 4 Orp pullets. Mayyybe. If so then I will have met my 8 quota. I have 3 Orp pullets that are five weeks and it looks like 2 three week old BCM pullets and maybe 4 more Orp pullets. I just didn't get as many Marans pullets as I wanted.