Coop design... I finally decided!

[LynneP]

Yes and check the chill factor too! I'm heading to the coop now to bring the flock in early and close down the coop. No vents needed tonight for a mere 12 birds and they're getting an extra bale of bedding to reduce the air space. We're in for c couple of brutal days, I'm afraid.

 

[Hillsvale]

funny... environment canada called for sunny days for the next bit yesterday, dopes!!

I just got my shingles.. hoping to put them on because the tar paper had a rough night in the wind storm the other night!.... Darn, and I just got Daring Simon his fencing as well and now he will be cooped up! lol

We hit two feed stores looking for everything we need, made my hands itch to get going!

 

[LynneP]

Good feed store in Lower Sackville- Valleyfield Farm on the old road from Lower Sackville to middle Sackville on the right near Millwood. Dealt with the family for years when we worked in that direction. Where do you want to shop, might be able to make suggestions...

 

[Hillsvale]

Hi Linda.. yes valleyfield was one of them... we were actually looking at what they had for fencing but it wasn't appropriate, we ended up getting 4' wire fencing that has 4" "holes" for the main critter area.... Simon not being detered by the storm was out there instaling thestuff and dragged me out to help!

haha

We were also at the shurgain place in Windsor... and actually we got the fence staples from Brooklyn Coop! .. they gave us a greatprice on those!

We have just started the pricing of laying crumbles and oyster shells etc.. from what I gather fro most here the scratch is really fast food for chickens and isn't all that good for them other than the odd occassion and they will get enough treats elsewhere. We will also need other critter food of course, lamb, wiener pigs, goat (and I know they are similar to lamb feed but lambs can have the copper that goats need...), meat chickens and turkeys but I assume from others here that they can just eat what the chickens get... still need to read but this darn dial up!

Wow this chicken stuff is a lot to learn.... on the other hand I will definately be ready in a couple of months so wll need to hit up Bob for the heritage layers we so want....

 

[LynneP]

In addition to fencing supplies, the ACA Brooklyn co-op has a wide selection of animal feed and they carry bales of shavings in paper wrap. They're always dry and fresh. Plus they now get the bedding all winter so you don't have to stockpile a huge amount. The manager there is the co-op feedmaster, so you can count on excellent quality, he's exceptionally particular. And the chicken starter comes with an expiry date (it's fragile) so you always know to use it up. They get day-old layer chicks in May and June. Mine were healthy and free of defects and all the right sex. They also carry poultry waterers, stock dishes and buckets and vitamins and wormers. Oh and they have syringes and droppers.

Some of your other hardware can be found at Brooklyn Home Hardware and there is a tack shop in Windsor that has various other supplies like wound powder.

 

[Hillsvale]

yup... I liked the staff at Brooklyn Coop, friendly and helpful and made sure I got about 35% off the fencing staples I got yesterday... I do like to support the coop stores where possible.. my plans are to buy the turkey chicks and meat chickens from them, I am not so concerned with heritage meat birds since they will be around such a short time! I did check out their bedding prices at I think 6.20 a bail for shavings which sounds pretty good to me.

Sackville farm store had lots of stuff but they are getting a bid more "commercial" for lack of better wording and they don't seem to be quite as helpful... but some of their pricing is pretty good.

We bought the actual fencing and barbed wire at the shurgain shop but I never thought of a tack shop in Windsor (at the exibition grounds?) unless you do mean shurgain (they are very horsey there).

Darm its cold today... minus 10 plus wind chill to minus 25... brrrr, so much for shingling today!

 

[Hillsvale]

I did that peak in the roof today.... it is shocking how long it took me to get that done by myself... about 2.5 hours, up the ladder, down the ladder, move the ladder, up the ladder... nail the siding, take a guestimate of the length because my tape kept flopping (note to self.. need that new extra wide measuring tape) ... down the ladder, cut the wood....

On a better note my Simon managed to attach over 300' of metal fencing to the posts.... in about the same amount of time!

 

[grandmaof5]

Can you send that Simon up to Stewiacke asap?

DH keeps putting off starting my coop; I soooo want it done before I get chicks. Although if I don't find a breeder of Welsummers soon, it may be too late for 2010. Sigh

 

[LynneP]

Stewiacke huh? Hi there...

The tack shop I meant is in Windsor, on the old road out to Falmouth. It's called Bits 'n Bridles and they carry a full line of Purina feed and bedding, too. What I like is that they have a shelf full of remedies, horse and other- everything you might need on a farm. Virginia and Earl are the owners, good folk.

 

[Hillsvale]

Sorry GMO5, Simon has to keep fencng in his pastures..... the construction person in the household is me! lol but you can't have me either though you can send your chicks here!

I was "speaking" with a breader here recently... I think they may do welsummers... I will look and get back to you.

Hi Lynn

you mean the old road out of Windsor by the little farmer market, I used to get doggie stuff there and have forgotten all about them... I must stop by to look into cures and a first aide asket before I need them at some odd time!

OK... off to try and finish the roof!

Cheers