Coop/Run Dilemma

[StinkyAcres]

She works so may not have the extra time for DIY

Hmm, sounds like a business opportunity.

 

[micstrachan]

Sweet baby... I hate when they deteriorate

We have several recycled dog houses set around the yard for snoozing/hiding 14+ yrs now.
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She may or may not choose to use the doghouse... so also have a sheltered corner away from any drafts if she doesn't use the house. Also point the doghouse door away from your prevailing winds, plus elevate the house on some flat paver stones so the door isn't getting ground drafts yet the house is still low enough for her to climb in. Some straw or shavings on the floor of the house too. Keep cobwebs clear inside the house & under it too ~ Garden spiders love spinning webs everywhere.

Flat 1-inch thick paver stones to elevate the house just a little.

This is helpful. Thank you!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The run is divided in half, and I closed off the loft part of the coop. I had one friend with her, but she just died. The “neutral” hen who gets along with both the remaining bully (Flo) and Bridge prefers to hang with Flo, who is still pretty active.

I’m a bit confused. Is the loft part of the coop open again? So Flo and the neutral hen are roosting up in the loft? You still have that treehouse type of coop, with multiple levels?

Do you think it’s important that Bridge stay close to the neutral hen when possible? My thought would be to lower everyone’s roost to accomplish that. If Bridge can manage a slight ramp the roost could just be a few inches above floor level. If not, then at floor level but still a good enclosed safe feeling shelter. Then have the division of the run continue into the lower roosting area, so that Bridge has the companionship of the neutral hen and the comfort of being with everyone, going to the same place in the evening, even if separated by wire.

Like: a large plastic storage bin that you modify with cutouts for the pop doors and then divide with plastic fencing or wire, or two dog houses put together with the common side removed and replaced with the divider.

Hugs to you, so sorry for your losses, that’s a lot in a short time!

 

[Kiki]

This is helpful. Thank you!

Dog crate would be a good idea!
I think it would work out just fine without a perch in it.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m a bit confused. Is the loft part of the coop open again? So Flo and the neutral hen are roosting up in the loft? You still have that treehouse type of coop, with multiple levels?

Do you think it’s important that Bridge stay close to the neutral hen when possible? My thought would be to lower everyone’s roost to accomplish that. If Bridge can manage a slight ramp the roost could just be a few inches above floor level. If not, then at floor level but still a good enclosed safe feeling shelter. Then have the division of the run continue into the lower roosting area, so that Bridge has the companionship of the neutral hen and the comfort of being with everyone, going to the same place in the evening, even if separated by wire.

Like: a large plastic storage bin that you modify with cutouts for the pop doors and then divide with plastic fencing or wire, or two dog houses put together with the common side removed and replaced with the divider.

Hugs to you, so sorry for your losses, that’s a lot in a short time!

Thanks. I’ll think about this. I’ve been alternating the neutral hen (Roxy). I’ve been putting Bridge in the loft (sometimes with Roxy.) I took down the high roost in the loft. Each night I manually put Bridge on the low roost (about 12 inches) or she sleeps on the floor. The loft has a pop door from the main coop, which is currently closed, but had some holes cut out. It also has a separate entrance where I hand carry her each night. Even if I swapped who is on which side of the run, Bridge would have trouble getting into the main coop. Besides, come spring, the other two will start laying again, and will need access to a nest box. Roxy will be nine by then, so I doubt she’ll lay much, but she was still laying a bit this past spring.

I do like the idea of everyone roosting together, but separate. To accomplish this, I’d need a whole new set-up. When Bridge is on the floor of the loft, she’s at the same level as the roosts on the main coop. I could cut out more of the pop door and screen it.

The hens all seem to hang out close to wach other along the wire duri g the day. Even Flo and Bridge. But without the wire, Flo can’t resist attacking Bridge. When they range, I have to supervise. Usually Roxy and Flo are off exploring together. They will wander Bridge’s way, but if Flo gets too close, Bridge will hobble run to me and ask to be picked up. Sweet angel. She was such a great alpha hen. Strong, but calm. It breaks my heart. However, now that I’ve nursed her back to health, she seems relatively happy. She’d love it if I were there to roost with her.

 

[micstrachan]

I would cull them they're way too old, get some new ones. Sorry if this sounds unhelpful but that's how I roll

Thanks for weighing in. While I appreciate your feedback, my hens are beloved pets and culling is not an option. Having said that, I have had a couple humanely euthanized when it was clear they weren’t going to recover.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thanks. I’ll think about this. I’ve been alternating the neutral hen (Roxy). I’ve been putting Bridge in the loft (sometimes with Roxy.) I took down the high roost in the loft. Each night I manually put Bridge on the low roost (about 12 inches) or she sleeps on the floor. The loft has a pop door from the main coop, which is currently closed, but had some holes cut out. It also has a separate entrance where I hand carry her each night. Even if I swapped who is on which side of the run, Bridge would have trouble getting into the main coop. Besides, come spring, the other two will start laying again, and will need access to a nest box. Roxy will be nine by then, so I doubt she’ll lay much, but she was still laying a bit this past spring.

I do like the idea of everyone roosting together, but separate. To accomplish this, I’d need a whole new set-up. When Bridge is on the floor of the loft, she’s at the same level as the roosts on the main coop. I could cut out more of the pop door and screen it.

The hens all seem to hang out close to wach other along the wire duri g the day. Even Flo and Bridge. But without the wire, Flo can’t resist attacking Bridge. When they range, I have to supervise. Usually Roxy and Flo are off exploring together. They will wander Bridge’s way, but if Flo gets too close, Bridge will hobble run to me and ask to be picked up. Sweet angel. She was such a great alpha hen. Strong, but calm. It breaks my heart. However, now that I’ve nursed her back to health, she seems relatively happy. She’d love it if I were there to roost with her.

A bit still not clear - can Bridge get to the floor of the loft by herself?

Yes, even chickens that find fault with others - Bridge has something "wrong" with her that Flo finds intolerable when she gets her mind on it - want to be together. So some way she can manage so she and the others can feel they are roosting all together would be good for everyone, in my opinion.

PS If you can find a good way to roost with chickens I'd be a big fan. I loved brooding chicks in my house, had the setup right next to my bed.

 

[micstrachan]

A bit still not clear - can Bridge get to the floor of the loft by herself?

Yes, even chickens that find fault with others - Bridge has something "wrong" with her that Flo finds intolerable when she gets her mind on it - want to be together. So some way she can manage so she and the others can feel they are roosting all together would be good for everyone, in my opinion.

PS If you can find a good way to roost with chickens I'd be a big fan. I loved brooding chicks in my house, had the setup right next to my bed.

No, Bridge does not have access to the loft at all. But I also think she’d have trouble getting to the main level, since it takes three steps to get there.

She sleeps on the floor of the loft if I know I’ll be home late and arrange to have someone else put her in.

I’ll think about this some more.

 

[Ponypoor]

Hmm, sounds like a business opportunity.

I think DH is a builder so good op for him!

I use old 1x6 planks that come from the horses paddock fencing, I screw two short pieces onto the ends of a longer section to make an 'H' with the narrow 1" side upwards. It's particularly nice for the Silkie babies as the 6" is easy for them to hop up onto.


As for Bridgie's dilemma, I would see about one of those small animal crates, or a pre-fab dog house.

@micstrachan not sure about your weather there, or if the area is covered. But if covered than a simple cardboard box would be a cozy area to reside in, my hens' favourite areas to roost at times have been various cardboard boxes that I have placed around the barn for them to hide in or warm up in when moulting. Currently have Holly being a silly broody in one.

The box can be thrown out when not needed, or in need of replacing.

 

[Ponypoor]

Also, the fact that I’m suddenly having a bunch of deaths is also concerning, but that’s a separate issue.

I think it's been a crazy year for a lot of us with the sudden passing of our feathered creatures.

Are you thinking of getting more youngsters in the future? That might be company for Bridge, and she would be the queen of her own flock again.