California - Northern

[Michael Apple]

Well, my custom coop not going to happen. After taking my deposit and stringing me along for an additional 4 weeks (grand total of TEN WEEKS WASTED ON THIS GUY), he just emailed to say he's returning my deposit. At least I don't have to fight with him and PayPal? Oh, and he said that I could always go to Concord Feed and pick up one of his prebuilt coops. Right. That's exactly what I want to do, give him $ for NOT building what I ordered (plus, those don't have a run attached, so I still wouldn't have a functional outside enclosure I could actually use). I swear, I could burn @#$!@ to the ground right now.

So, I'm back to SQUARE ONE just in time for it to be the holidays and for everyone to be out of town and for the unending deluge to have kicked in. Did I mention wanting to burn things?

Have called half a dozen coop places today. They're all sold out/backed up for Christmas, or everything is made to order. So my poor birds are stuck in the house for at LEAST another three weeks. ARGH!!!!

I think I've settled on the largest version of this (boy do I wish it would fit on the footing I already had put in for the custom coop, but of course it won't*):

http://chickengardener.com/product/combo-coops/

*and of course custom coop guy isn't paying me back for the additional brooder I had to build because of his delay or for redoing the footing.

Unless you have Sebrights, you'll have lots of foot problems and breast injuries with a ladder ramp. I don't understand these little boxes on 3' stilts with a small pen built on to them. What I find more annoying are the number recommendations for hens in these little coops. It is best to build things to your own specifications. It is much cheaper too. The more room, better ventilation, the merrier.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

I don't understand these little boxes on 3' stilts with a small pen built on to them. What I find more annoying are the number recommendations for hens in these little coops. It is best to build things to your own specifications. It is much cheaper too. The more room, better ventilation, the merrier.

Building myself is unfortunately not an option (hand issues, can't use power tools). Hence I allowed myself to be strung along for MONTHS by the custom builder who was supposed to be making me EXACTLY what I wanted. We can see how that all worked out.

Personally, I quite like the loft coops (The Garden Coop, Witchita Coop, etc.). They're great for those with limited space and a need for an integrated run. I do not like the ladder run. That will get replaced before the birds out into it.

 

[OR4-hmom]

HighStreet, thinking outside the box here. Is there a woodworking class at a local high school? You might be able to get some Advanced students to help you out. The local 4-H extension office may have a club doing woodworking or some older poultry kids handy with tools to help you out.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:
That is a great idea! BYC is glitching a bunch today!

 

[chrissyr]

It's been a while since on here. Here is one of my French muscovy girls. She was going to be dinner but decided to keep her.
Her previous name was "Lucky" , but I was told to never name a pet "Lucky" (they always end up not so much).
Hope everyone is doing well with all of this water! All of this prayin for Rain seems to have worked!

 

[OR4-hmom]

Quote:
That is a great idea! BYC is glitching a bunch today!

I thought it was just me, but it wouldn't let me edit my triple post after the fact.

 

[Audio51]

@BCollie .....congrats on winning the Grand Prize drawing from Jeff!!!! You lucky girl you! Have you claimed it yet?

 

[sol2go]

When parlour rollers are judged the judge will roll them first, if they fly they are DQ'd. That is what makes them a great first bird for the kids, if they get loose they can be caught again. Another reason we got them is we have so many hawks around and we don't feel guilty for not allowing them to free fly. We have been offered lots of homers & racers but they wouldn't last long here.

Thanks for the post, I was off the thread for a little bit, sorry for the delay =)

 

[Honora]

HighStreet, what feed store do you bring your cockerels to? I still don't have my chicks, but I am thinking ahead!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

HighStreet, what feed store do you bring your cockerels to? I still don't have my chicks, but I am thinking ahead!

Mike's Feed & Pet in San Leandro. I think Rivertown in Petaluma will take them, too.