Colorado

[lomine]

Those prefab coops aren't always the best option. If you plan to buy one, make sure you inspect it before hand. Some of them are very poorly constructed and made from cheap materials. Also, don't go by the number of birds they say they can hold. They often hold way less then they say. You don't want to overcrowd the coop, you'll just end up with a lot of problems.

 

[Percheron chick]

Hello my fellow Coloradans! I was wondering if you all knew of a place I can go other than Craigslist or an expensive place like Murdochs to find a coop? I've got six chickens and four of them are three weeks and getting bigger everyday. I need to have the coop ready for when it's time to put them out. I've been looking around and haven't had any luck. I don't want to have to build my own coop as I'm not builder savvy and my husband doesn't want to go that route lol. Any and all help is accepted lol and thank you!!

I'll second staying away from the coops sold at TSC, Murdoch's.. if they give you dimensions in inches, it's too small and not designed by someone who has a clue when it comes to chickens. If you have 6 hens, your coop should be a minimum of 4x6 not including the run. Your girls will spend a fair amount of time inside in the winter months.
A popular solution is to convert a small shed from HD into a coop. CL always has some decent coops but they tend to start around $750. Look into hoop coops. Can build an 8x8 combo coop and run for around $300 and only need a hammer, hand saw, wire cutters and screwdriver.

 

[PirateGirl]

Success! Kinda. Someone laid an egg in the newest nest box. I consider this a win because they all love the oldest nest box so much I have been finding eggs broken and frozen all over the place due to chickens not waiting their turn. Still no one has laid an egg in the middle hated nest box. I did find one stray egg next to the favorite nest box too, so we'll see if they can sort it out The next few days.

 

[GJ_Kate]

Hello from the western slope! I haven’t been on here in a few years as we just moved back to a house with a few acres recently. I’m looking for eggs, chicks or young birds of:
Sussex
Welsummers
Orpingtons (other than buff)
Bresse
Marans
Bourbon red turkeys
Guineas
Anything else fun

I’m thinking of splurging and buying a Brinsea incubator as the old styrofoam one I had years ago is long gone.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Welcome back, Kate! Only mutts around here and Icelandics.

 

[aliciaplus3]

I have a few german bielefelders here in montrose and a few mix turkeys.... I am not sure exactly where on the western slope you are but there is a lovely gal in delta that advertises on Craigslist and seems to have some different things.... I enjoyed the visit. And got silver welsh harliquin hens a few weeks ago. Worth a look if you are close enough

 

[PirateGirl]

Hello from the western slope! I haven’t been on here in a few years as we just moved back to a house with a few acres recently. I’m looking for eggs, chicks or young birds of:
Sussex
Welsummers
Orpingtons (other than buff)
Bresse
Marans
Bourbon red turkeys
Guineas
Anything else fun

I’m thinking of splurging and buying a Brinsea incubator as the old styrofoam one I had years ago is long gone.

Not too close to you, but the farm where I got a few birds does breed some of those breeds your looking for and sells hatching eggs (which I think they ship). They are in Strasburg, CO. In the past I got a lavender and a white orp from them.

www.serenitysprouts.com

My Blue Swedish ducks are beginning to lay and eggs should be fertile if you are looking for ducks. Also I know the Silverthorne Murdoch's is getting turkeys in this year as well as goslings.

 

[uzisuzuki]

Having a rough time this morning. My little barnyard mix, Mina, died last night from what looks like a good, hard peck right behind her eye. I know I'm a softie, but this part of the whole game doesn't get easier for me.

 

[PirateGirl]

I'm sorry @uzisuzuki we try so hard to take care of them, but sometimes we can't help.

 

[PirateGirl]

Cleaning the wood stove means it's dust bath day.