Do coops really look like this

[Orchid]

Muddy run, especially with ducks in it, not a big deal.

The nest boxes, however, in my humble opinion, look disgusting. My nest boxes never look like that.

 

[Crack N' Egg]

Well said Pat

Looks fine to me

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I'm not sure where people are getting this part, unless there are photos I'm not seeing. There is no information on coop size, and since you can only see 3 sides of the run it is not really possible to guess how big the *run* is either.

But even if the fourth side of the run is only *just* out of the photo (possible, as the post-type thing to the extreme R is angled as if it might be a corner brace??), I would estimate it to be at least 15x15' = 225 sq ft. There are seven birds clearly pictured; that would be 32 sq ft per bird. Even if we are only seeing half his flock, that is still 16 sq ft of run per bird, which please note is 1.5-2x the size of what "BYC dogma" suggests is perfectly fine.

It's GOING to be muddy this time of year.

ETA, you haven't lived until you've dealt with broody poop!

Better yet, broody *turkey* poop!

Pat​

 

[BooBear]

Are you buying his place or just moving next door?
With a little elbow grease the coop can be cleaned up to look like a decent chicken home again. To help with the muddy area you would need to haul in some sand to build it up. Add an easy to clean tub/pool for the ducks to play in. They all need fresh water source.
Hope your BIL was just yanking your chain about the not carring for them. He shouldn't take it out on the birds cus they were dumped on him. The birds had know control on that and are completely at his mercy.
All birds poop alot. Owning birds of any kind means being willing to clean up lots nlots of it. Makes good fertalizer though.

 

[Momagain1]

ok guys..I just didnt know.

wow; I think maybe I'm extra sensitive today..I'm off to go clean the kitchen & homework time

 

[Momagain1]

Quote:
neither, I just didnt know if this was the norm or not.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

The mess, depending on like what everyone else said: drainage, square footage for chickens, cleaning/maintenance, is pretty normal. Someone saying that they don't feed or water their animals, even in jest, is not. Chickens can be deceiving in their feathering, and they may be underweight. If someone I knew wasn't feeding their animals, I would have to speak up. If he doesn't want them anymore and won't even collect eggs, suggest he put them on craigslist for free. Your coop is only as clean as you keep it. Good luck!

 

[orpingtonbabies]

The coop looks fine, just a little dirty. But chickens are just naturally kinda dirty animals. The run is pretty muddy. I think I'm going to put sand or grass in mine. What really worries me is that he said he wasn't feeding them anymore? I'm sorry, but i believe that if you keep an animal captive than you need to take care of it and feeding is so basic, why wouldn't you feed your chickens? even if they're fully capable of getting their own food which i doubt they are if they are being kept in that run all the time.

 

[clairabean]

Looks a bit wet in the coop and muddy in the run for me. BUT it is hard to keep everything dry when the snow is melting.

I hope no one nitpicks my chicken areas.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I think the coop looks filthy. I guess to each his own, but I like my coop cleaner than that....after all, they are making my breakfast.

The run, not being covered, is what I would expect it to look like in the winter. It's a good reason to cover at least part of your run.

When you have animals penned up, and I don't care how much you paid for them, you are obligated to give them a clean safe environment.
Takes 10 mins. a day.