Colorado

[samsr]

...

after 3 weeks, a few loose ends to finish up, but here it is... My first coop! How the birds love it!

I want my family; especially the kids; to start learning how to be more self sufficient. This is a new experience for me as well and I gotta say... I am learning so much! I guess this city boy is really a country boy/ farmer at heart![/quote
I too moved to a more of a country setting a coupe of years ago. I cant describe how freeing it is. Itbis really a feeling that cant be described. I have wanted to be out of the city for quite some time. I think there are a lot of people that given half the chance would be a lot happier with a plot of land, a nice garden and a few animals to take care of. Nice looking tractor and welcome to the thread.

 

[RoodOne]

Thanks all for the kind words. Tractor ended up being a bit heavy, floor space is a little over 8x4 ft. Had the whole family helping me to move it. Lol

 

[Mtn Margie]

Growing CX this time. Have to give them a try. Of course, if these work out I might do them a couple times a year.

Just clarifying...., there are Fast growing CX crosses out there that mature in 6-8 weeks and Slow grow CX crosses that mature in 8-10 weeks. The fast grow are not recommended for elevations over 5000'. They both have the same general carcass. But, for feed per pound calculations, final cost etc, and health issues, you should know which ones you have so that you can manage their feed intake. All of the other broiler bird choices mature around 10 - 12 weeks or so, not including the heritage breeds which take longer for a roaster size.
Sorry, I guess I am worried about you and your birds and don't want you to have a horrible experience if they start kicking it. Home grown chicken really is worth it and I think it is wonderful that you are trying this out.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Thanks all for the kind words. Tractor ended up being a bit heavy, floor space is a little over 8x4 ft. Had the whole family helping me to move it. Lol

Welcome! Sounds like you are well on the way to making this a family affair! Happy Chickening!

 

[ONSTAD1]

Hello Onstad,

A wonderful work and a great suggestion! One thing that might be needed: I bought a 4-hen coop from Costco and put it together easily with the help of a friend. Trouble is, since then I got more chicks and now have six, with the idea of having a maximum flock of eight here in Denver. I read that a really good kind of coop is actually a "cote" that goes up, encouraging the birds to get up off the floor of the coop to eat, drink, roost, and poop in the poop hammocks, as well as to lay in a secure place. What do you think about the idea of making a "pop top" addition for the Costco-style coops so that up to eight hens could be accommodated by building up? (Not out, as I have a very limited space for a coop/cote)

If there are others who have a problem similar to mine, it seems that the roof could simply be raised and the second storey built of sturdy plywood with a larger access door for the human.

I look forward to hearing from you - and others - about the feasibility of such a project.

All good,

Alebuela

Cool. I'll look into that... sort of a custom addition "pop top" for coops?

mo

 

[kismetspawn]

Look who graduated to the big girl coop?!? Everyone figured out the roosting bars w/only a little hint. They all found their food this morning, need to check to make sure they found their water (chicken nipples in the bottom of the orange bucket). But otherwise, I think it was a good night.

 

[RoodOne]

Quick question from this noob. On an A frame tractor style coop, how should I do the perch area if its only 2 ft roughly at the peak for head space?

 

[Wendi C]

In six years of chicken keeping, I have had two birds that got an enlarged/ sour/ impacted crop, whatever name, all generally related. They were both black colored birds - different breeds. LOL! But really, either a genetic predisposition, or what I am thinking could be a cause is overeating. My two birds were low on the pecking order, very wimpy, and they seemed to start getting it when spring came around and they were eating much more than they could process at a time out free ranging. . One lived about three years and I just made sure that she stayed on processed foods and the other one went fast so I am thinking there was a perforation in the crop. Good luck with your chicken.

She's at the top of the pecking order, but has been squabbling with one of the giant BSL's for the top spot. I've quarantined her away from the other girls to prevent picking. I've been feeding her yogurt with active cultures and a tiny bit of apple sauce over the weekend (with lots of free choice grit), she's passing some things through her system, but her crop hasn't emptied completely yet Poor girl gave me a small egg yesterday, which I took as a good sign. I'm currently looking for a vet who might be willing to see her if she doesn't show visible improvement by tomorrow morning, but like you, I'm wondering if it's a genetic issue or defect. Everyone seems to have a protocol for treating this (ACV, no ACV; try to empty the crop, do not try because they can inhale liquid into their lungs; remove all food and water, only provide water; etc). Regardless of the treatment, I don't want to see her suffer.

Fingers Crossed...

 

[Pozees]

You can put it 6 inches above the floor, that should give them adequate head room and still give the sense of being off the floor. They may or may not use it right away, often young birds and Silkies prefer to just snuggle together on the floor.

 

[Percheron chick]

Quick question from this noob. On an A frame tractor style coop, how should I do the perch area if its only 2 ft roughly at the peak for head space?

You could nail them to the "handles". It will only be wide enough for 2 birds so you would need to put at least 2 up. the other choice would be to make a freestanding frame that you would run lengthwise and they would be able to get higher up into the peak of the run. You could suspend a perch (like a trapeze) from the top board. Stagger the heights. I like #3 best.