Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

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Hmmm....that has not been my experience. My original coop was a small A-Frame I got for free off Freecycle. No windows at all so it was pitch black in there once I closed the door. I left the sliding door open during the day and they were able to go in and check it out, figure out where the roosts were etc. When dusk started to fall, they went in and jumped up on the roost (when it was still light enough to see). Once they were all in, I went out and closed the sliding door. I never had any issues with them going in, and in the event of a power outage, it wouldn't have made any difference since there was no power to the coop anyway. I used that coop for two years. My new coop still doesn't have windows or power, but is lighter inside due to a light colored roof. I still find that they make their way in when dusk is falling and they still have light to see to get on the roost though.

 

[ChooksChick]

I think it can work out fine if the birds are accustomed to the space. I don't think my birds would notice so long as nothing else changed, but one coop has NO windows, and when it's dark early (storm, etc) and their light timer hasn't kicked on yet, they can't ever find the roosts. They've been in that coop for years.

I think it's just depending on the flock and quarters, but you're right- it's probably leaning on the luxury side vs. necessity. I think it will make things easier, though.

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Hmmm....that has not been my experience. My original coop was a small A-Frame I got for free off Freecycle. No windows at all so it was pitch black in there once I closed the door. I left the sliding door open during the day and they were able to go in and check it out, figure out where the roosts were etc. When dusk started to fall, they went in and jumped up on the roost (when it was still light enough to see). Once they were all in, I went out and closed the sliding door. I never had any issues with them going in, and in the event of a power outage, it wouldn't have made any difference since there was no power to the coop anyway. I used that coop for two years. My new coop still doesn't have windows or power, but is lighter inside due to a light colored roof. I still find that they make their way in when dusk is falling and they still have light to see to get on the roost though.

 

[bnjmik]

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I am probably going to get some laying hens soon. The run is 3500 square feet, enough for 350 birds. I suppose I can reduce the size to fit my flock, but now my $10/lb chicken is turning into $20/lb chicken. poop.

 

[ChooksChick]

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I am probably going to get some laying hens soon. The run is 3500 square feet, enough for 350 birds. I suppose I can reduce the size to fit my flock, but now my $10/lb chicken is turning into $20/lb chicken. poop.

It's going to decrease as an investment since you'll be hopelessly addicted to chickens and will keep this going for years. You'll be glad you did it right in the beginning...trust me on that...

 

[Ivywoods]

Phase one of the new barn project was getting the area ready to knock the remainder of the old barn down. Completed that.

Phase two: The fun part-knock the remaining walls and roof down. Hubby did that a little bit ago with his favorite toy... his skidsteer.

Phase three: Clean up the mess. Salvage what can be salvaged. This is going to take a lot of time, but a lot of the material will be good to use for the new barn. I will do most of this myself with hubby helping with the stuff I can't lift. (I may have to borrow his toy a few times...)

Phase four: Build the new 20' x 40' chicken barn on the concrete slab where the old barn was located. I've already drawn up some plans, but I'm sure I will revise them several times before the project is done. I like some of the ideas I've read on here recently... like roosts on hinges to swing them up so you can clean under and around them.

 

[mikeksfarmer]

Ok I was wrong the opossum did do damage; he ate the duck eggs and terified the chickens. Just found a chicken clucking in the front yard.

Seems she made a nest and laid an egg in the window well.
So here is what I see from this.

First opossums are egg suckers!

second if your hens dont feel secure they will find elsewhere to lay.

I have seen this in the ducks before as they make a new nest if I empty the other. But the chickens seem to not be Phased by emptying the nest.

Now let the opossum in for the night and things change.
Even though I arrogantly posted before about killing the opossum; it was really a guilt cover up.

However I learned another thing. After I shot the opossum I left him in the yard until later for the walk up to the TV feeding station. I noticed none of my chickens jumped the fence within 100 feet of the dead opossum. Lesson; maybe a decoy will reduce chickens from jumping over the fence! If they have a favorite jump over maybe a decoy owl or fake fox will keep them in! Just a thought!

ME just one of the Mikes!

 

[OzawkieBantams]

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Unless you switch the decoy up they will eventually get to ignore it, same as every other animal

 

[bnjmik]

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I am probably going to get some laying hens soon. The run is 3500 square feet, enough for 350 birds. I suppose I can reduce the size to fit my flock, but now my $10/lb chicken is turning into $20/lb chicken. poop.

It's going to decrease as an investment since you'll be hopelessly addicted to chickens and will keep this going for years. You'll be glad you did it right in the beginning...trust me on that...

This nylon poultry netting looks pretty wimpy. I need 500 square feet and have a nice place to move the fence to get it at 20' X 25'. What am I looking for, how do I support it, and how much is this going to set me back? Any ideas?

 

[OzawkieBantams]

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It's going to decrease as an investment since you'll be hopelessly addicted to chickens and will keep this going for years. You'll be glad you did it right in the beginning...trust me on that...

This nylon poultry netting looks pretty wimpy. I need 500 square feet and have a nice place to move the fence to get it at 20' X 25'. What am I looking for, how do I support it, and how much is this going to set me back? Any ideas?

MICHAEL,
cal your brother in law. We talked about this earlier for you. Don an I will help you out "CHEAPLY AND PROTECTIVLY"

Daren

 

[ChooksChick]

I'd offer to help...but I managed to trip and fall into the corner of an I-beam last night, right in my widow's peak...nice wound.

So today I one-upped myself and hit myself in the nose with a 2"x4"...my grip is bad because of carpal tunnel and I was using it as a hammer...at an odd angle...oopsie.


If I hadn't been wearing glasses today I'd have fully broken my nose...as it is, I just have a new knob on it. Great.

Thus: I won't be offering to do things that may cause me to lose digits.

I used to consider myself handy! Now I consider myself lucky I have both hands.




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