DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[coolcanoechic]

nice build !

Thanks! You can see the finished coop on my page.

 

[midway]

Great ideas everyone! Thank you very much for sharing them!

 

[jtallant]

I have a horrible hawk problem, does this clothesline work? Why do you stain it?

 

[jtallant]

Sorry, this is what I was talking about.

Great thread! ok, I have two things to show you. I made my hawk proofing out of cloths line and cable ties. I stained the rope, let it dry, then put it up. I also made the perch you see in the run. It's made out of my son's old crib!!! You sadly can't see the top because I threw a tablecloth over it to give the girls something to get out of the rain. I normally don't have it on there. Old cribs are a dime a doz. My big girls like it, my silkies don't use it of course. Everyone loves to go under it though.

My next project is a lean to, one side for food, the other for dust baths. I'll be making it out of pallets

Can't wait to see more on this thread!!!!

 

[KrazyKhick]

Yes, it has worked for us. We lost Matilda to a hawk one day then it kept coming back that same day for more.

I was heartbroken and didn't have the budget to whip something up on the fly. After alot of thought, this was the best choice. It has gone through CRAZY weather and done just fine. It did begin to sag a bit in the middle so we put a few tree poles up under it to raise it. This way it's standing room and easier to clean. I stained it so it doesn't scream "clothesline"!

It's connected to lattice and the fence on one side. Almost every intersection has a cable tie too. This keeps it super neat and eye catching too.

 

[KrazyKhick]

Another good thing about this besides cost is you can do it alone. Good for those who helpers are sick of doing chicken projects, lol...when I think of what I've gotten my hubby to do for the chickens cracks me up and shows his love!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

That is super clever and attractive looking too!!! I might have to do something like that! I've been debating on how to cover our run and the biggest problem is that it's located under a neighbor's tree, so I'm afraid if we use poultry netting it will just catch leaves and we'd have to clean it up. The leaves could go right through this, but keep the hawks out! Love it!!! How long did it take you to string all of that up?

Better part of an afternoon. It wasn't difficult, just a little tedious.

 

[jtallant]

Yes, it has worked for us. We lost Matilda to a hawk one day then it kept coming back that same day for more.

I was heartbroken and didn't have the budget to whip something up on the fly. After alot of thought, this was the best choice. It has gone through CRAZY weather and done just fine. It did begin to sag a bit in the middle so we put a few tree poles up under it to raise it. This way it's standing room and easier to clean. I stained it so it doesn't scream "clothesline"!

It's connected to lattice and the fence on one side. Almost every intersection has a cable tie too. This keeps it super neat and eye catching too.

Thanks for the reply KrazyKhick. We are going to give it a go, it can't hurt to try it out and keep our fingers crossed. If it is at all a deterrent for the hawks that would be great. I really like hawks, just not particlarly fond of them deciding my ladies are lunch. There are many things for them to snack on out here besides my ladies and I'm glad to have them around for that reason.

It's the perfect time to do this since we are replacing/re-doing the run. We have 1500 square feet of pen for the ladies, there are some trees there, but one very open spot. I hope mine turns out at least as good as yours! If it is not too terrible looking by the time we finish I'll post pics.

 

[KrazyKhick]

I'm sure it'll turn out great and I'm looking forward to the pictures. We have everything out here, been face to face with all sorts of animals and birds, some very scary. And yeah, those are MY girls, hands off, lol. Best of luck!

 

[bj taylor]

i don't have pictures yet. we live in hot Texas & the coop was built inside an uninsulated hoop house. the bottom half is solid & the top is harware cloth. i moved the chicks out to the coop w/heat lamp. i have a clothes-line around the outside perimeter at the top of the coop. i've run old heavy curtains onto this clothes line. i pull them closed in the evening to keep in heat & pull them back during the day to give them more ventilation. it has worked so well for my little 4 wk old kids and makes controlling the inside temp much easier. doesn't look very pretty so when weather warms up a little i'll take it down (or when they get a few more feathers on them).