Coop Project: Maken the Plunge & Getting Chickens

[Rock Home Isle]

So I let the flock out this morning at 5:30am. I did not use the main access door...instead I used the Pop-Out Door. It really confused the birds. After 10 minutes there were only 2 pullets outside and once they realized that the rest of the flock wasn't with them...they quickly ran back in the coop.

When I finally left for work the chickens were all out in the yard, but the ducks were still in the coop....QUACKING. I'll see shortly here if they ever made it out into the yard. Silly Ducks...

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I came home and had a few moments of fear...the entire flock was GONE. I could not find a single bird anywhere in the yard.


As I was headed back into the house to try and figure out what had happened.......I heard soft clucking. I got on my hands and knees and I looked under the coop; and there they all were; mostly sound asleep in the shade under the coop.

I'm going to have a cold beer and enjoy the evening now.


Oh yeah....the ducks made it out of the coop.

 

[chicken pickin]

Silly birds I hate when they dissappear. Yesterday I went to check on my chickens that were free ranging( we were having a family cookout and I got sidetract) I was so nervous I found them down the driveway getting close to the road AGHHHH!!!!!! Crazy chickens what were they thinking. Thatll teach me to relax when they are out. Wont happen twice. Glad you found yours peacefully resting safely.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

It's time to train the pullets & the ducks that they need to be putting themselves to bed at night...There is no reason that I should be rounding up the flock, catching all the birds, and putting them one by one into the coop each and every night...


I have a plan...

 

[Rock Home Isle]

They are predicting rain again for the weekend forcast...DANG!!!

I've noticed that the ducks are having trouble getting out of the coop. I think that I need to add a few more struts to my coop ramp. That should help them to get in & out.

I bought a pig pan tonight at JAX. I'll build a drop pan and this will be my catch basin for the water (I have Ducks). Then if I lock the chickens and the ducks in the coop for a few days...the coop will become "home" and I won't have to round them up each night anymore. I'm hoping that all I have to do is just close up the copp at dark each night once they see the coop as home...Fingers Crossed.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So I was on the deck and the dog was in the backyard with the chickens. So I tossed Sophie a treat...and in comes the chickens. They've learned that if they are quick...they can steal from the dog.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

At first the pullets sorta mill around, trying not to show interest and give away their intentions...but once they feel that it is food that Sophie has there is always one or two that move in. I've never seen chickens do this...they are definately motivated by food.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Rain started about 4:00 am this morning...came down pretty good and its looking like it will be on and off all day. DANG

 

[wsmith]

Nice progress!

 

[joan1708]

Love your coop. Looks like it will be very comfortable for your birds. I don't think you'll have smell issues if you do the deep litter method and use some sweet PDZ occasionally. Is going to be difficult to access the coop under the porch? I love the roof hinge. Can't wait to see how you do your run.