Colorado

[wsmith]

I'm using 55 gallon plastic chem barrels from work. I cut the tops out, leaving the rim for strength, wash and scrubbed them (They held glycol and soap). I used two blue ones and one white one. The plants in the white one have more even growth and are about 20% taller than the blue barrel ones. Planted Yukon gold potatoes. My onions in the garden are pathetic.
I'll see about getting some photos this afternoon.

Here are a couple of photos. The first is the the three barrels, the next is a view from the top of the whote barrel

 

[mynamesjenelle]

lol...chicken math has set in already...pondering if I can do 5 in my 4x4  ; )

mo

That's what I have! They don't seem to care about the floor space since they all fight for the coveted corner spot on the roost anyway. I figure the nest boxes count as a 'second floor' right? Right?


Minchi & Larca, at least you can leave them alone for an hour. The first time I put my girls outside I laid in the grass watching them until the sun went down. My SO was having a guys night at our house so they sat on the deck drinking beer thinking I was crazy. Chickens are so much better than TV.

 

[mynamesjenelle]

Here are a couple of photos. The first is the the three barrels, the next is a view from the top of the whote barrel

Maybe it's just the picture, but do those potato plants have thorns on them?

 

[ONSTAD1]

Here is the progress on the coop. Trim and door done. Base done save wrapping in hardware cloth. Ready to paint and set in place. Still figuring best plan of action for run.

 

[wsmith]

Maybe it's just the picture, but do those potato plants have thorns on them?

LOL! No thorns, just VERY healthy stems and leaves

 

[wsmith]

Here is the progress on the coop. Trim and door done. Base done save wrapping in hardware cloth. Ready to paint and set in place. Still figuring best plan of action for run.

Looking good Mo!

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I went to the one in Wheatridge. I had never been to one before so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Honestly, a bit disappointed. There were some expensive pre-made chicken coops, about 4 pickups selling rabbits, Guinea pigs, turkeys and hens ....quantities in that order. No chicks. I got there about 9:00 so perhaps it had yet to gear up, don't know. On a brighter note, it was my first step into a feed store. Got to look at supplies/feed and prices. Also, the feed store had 8-9 different kind of chicks for sale including the 4 I'm interested in. So It really wasn't a bust, but I wouldn't make the hour drive up from CS to do it again. But might drive up to get chicks if Big R doesn't carry them in Falcon.

mo

Thank you very much mo...that is what I wanted to hear.

 

[gardendufus]

Also, putting the last touches on my coop...paint and screw roof in place. Next I'll start on the run. Planning on getting 4 hens and wondering if I should make my run 4'x6' or 4'x9' (plus the 4'x4'x1.75' "room" under the coop). Can I use netting for the top of the run (6' high) or is that just asking for a raccoon ambush?

Mo

Mo, Just to give you an idea for comparison, I live down in the south of CS, around the intersection of I-25 and S. Academy. My eastern property line is basically Fountain creek with a little County open area between. My run is 6' tall utility fencing with hardware cloth all around the bottom 2'. I have bird netting over the top of my run and so far have had no problems with anything but a darn burrowing mouse. That's not to say that when I can figure out (a) how to pay for it and (b) how to do it that I won't try to figure out something more permanent, but so far bird netting has worked for me.

I have seen coyotes, beaver, deer, hawks and owls in the area, but so far no raccoon. (It may help that my entire property is surrounded by a 6' chain-link fence and that my two dogs have 24/7 access to the yard, altho they sleep inside and rarely go outside after bedtime. My shepherd goes on alert early (around sunrise) in the morning, but I haven't seen whatever sends her racing out the doggie door yet as shes out faster than I can get out of bed.

 

[wsmith]

I use netting over the top, but then, I don't have any climbing predators near me.

 

[wattsjadajoe]

I use netting over the top, but then, I don't have any climbing predators near me.

Same here. My coops are enclosed with 7ft high chain link and cattle fence, then covered with chicken wire. I have bird netting over the top to keep the flying predators from getting my girls. Although the bird netting is temporary it is working for now.


Joe