Farming and Homesteading Heritage Poultry

[Fentress]

I have NO flat land, everything is sloping and often rocky. From huge boulders to football size rocks. I have walked the woods in the spring before leaf out to find high areas to put the coops. Only 4-5 spots on 15 acres!! In spring a lot of water can run off the hill, feels like the Okephenokee swamp in many areas. Not good for chickens. The weather here is noticably different than WA and even the VA/TN area--definitely colder for longer, and not the high rainfall WA is noted for on the coast.


My coops are not mobile.

As of right now my coop is not mobile either. My land is flat and poorly drained with a high water table. I too have to know where the high spots are before the winter wet sets in and I am off the mark right now, So, I can't move the coop with the truck until it drys out at least a little bit. Maybe I should get some mud tires and tear up the yard! We learn by doing and part of that education is in learning your property. Good luck, it sounds like you are on the right track. I sure would enjoy looking at pictures of a monitor house if that is what you plan to build.

 

[gjensen]

As of right now my coop is not mobile either. My land is flat and poorly drained with a high water table. I too have to know where the high spots are before the winter wet sets in and I am off the mark right now, So, I can't move the coop with the truck until it drys out at least a little bit. Maybe I should get some mud tires and tear up the yard! We learn by doing and part of that education is in learning your property. Good luck, it sounds like you are on the right track. I sure would enjoy looking at pictures of a monitor house if that is what you plan to build.

You are very right. It never ends. One of the things I like about this hobby. The wheels never quit turning.

I have some improvements that I want to accomplish this year. My little humble system is constantly evolving based on what I learn or preferences that I develop.

Unfortunately I have some regrets that I cannot do anything about so I am learning to compensate. Compensating is not particularly effective.

Still I enter every new year better off than I was the year before.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Yes! Me too. When the wheels stop turning, I think it's time to get out of it. I've got quite a coop overhaul planned for the spring and plans for a change in stock. This winter taught me a lot about my coop that I want to change, though the birds have wintered well and with no problems, I've decided I just don't like my coop right now...I need more space, more light, more convenience and more versatility.

The fun part is doing all that without using much money...that's the part of the tweak that I like. How to utilize things on hand to their maximum efficiency? That's the question I am always asking myself.

 

[gjensen]

Yes! Me too. When the wheels stop turning, I think it's time to get out of it. I've got quite a coop overhaul planned for the spring and plans for a change in stock. This winter taught me a lot about my coop that I want to change, though the birds have wintered well and with no problems, I've decided I just don't like my coop right now...I need more space, more light, more convenience and more versatility.

The fun part is doing all that without using much money...that's the part of the tweak that I like. How to utilize things on hand to their maximum efficiency? That's the question I am always asking myself.

Except for hardware, wire, and misc. all of my pens houses etc. is from jobsite extras.

In commercial construction, just a little waste is a lot at home. An example is I put together a very large cistern for a "green" hotel that I built. This is with a traffic rated concrete top. The shoring, forms etc. were waste. It was cut in lengths in order to get it back out when it was time to remove it. This material built me a three compartment house.

Like you said, it puts a twist on the whole thing. It forces you to best utilize what you have and the results still be effective. It is certainly an added challenge.

 

[Beekissed]

Except for hardware, wire, and misc. all of my pens houses etc. is from jobsite extras.

In commercial construction, just a little waste is a lot at home. An example is I put together a very large cistern for a "green" hotel that I built. This is with a traffic rated concrete top. The shoring, forms etc. were waste. It was cut in lengths in order to get it back out when it was time to remove it. This material built me a three compartment house.

Like you said, it puts a twist on the whole thing. It forces you to best utilize what you have and the results still be effective. It is certainly an added challenge.

You built a whole house of the construction waste? What a score!!! I've tried to scavenge at construction sites but it seems like the guys that work there have dibs on all the good stuff like concrete forms and such.

I love that using these materials forces one to be creative and put more thought into the design all the way around. Building from a plan is nice and predictable but I'd rather implement my own little twists into anything I build so it will be just a tad different from others that are of a similar construction.

 

[maryhysong]

You built a whole house of the construction waste? What a score!!! I've tried to scavenge at construction sites but it seems like the guys that work there have dibs on all the good stuff like concrete forms and such.

I love that using these materials forces one to be creative and put more thought into the design all the way around. Building from a plan is nice and predictable but I'd rather implement my own little twists into anything I build so it will be just a tad different from others that are of a similar construction.

My new chicken house, 12x24 is mostly pallet wood. Pole construction, the posts and bottom boards are treated lumber bought new, all the doors, windows, boarding, partitions are pallet/recycled materials. I did have to buy new tin for 2/3s of the roof, but still have a lot less into it than what new material would have cost for the whole thing.

One of the inside breeding pens with door frame in place to check fit.

One end. I am still working on this, the plastic is to keep the wind off the birds for the winter. All openings down low are covered with 2x4 weld wire for predator protection. the back wall is solid and a short section of each end wall to prevent drafts on the roosts but there is a screened open section all the way around under the roof for ventilation. Considering making clear shutters for the front that would be hinged at the top. That way there could be light & fresh air but more rain protection without the sheet plastic. Still needs some trim work and paint on the outside.

 

[finnfur]

Awesome job on the lumber recovery - We give away about that much scrap pallets a day at our plant in Portsmouth VA if anybody is in that area and is looking for coop material B mail me . love to see re use of material and it makes a very usable coop

 

[Lacy Blues]

Mary that looks like an awesome coop! I wanted to mention though that if all you have is 2x4 welded wire on the bottom openings, that a raccoon can reach through that easily, plus if you get stray dogs or have coyotes, I've heard that they can tear through that welded wire fairly easily. It may depend on the gauge of wire that is there. Perhaps if you already have them installed and they would be hard to replace, I'd consider getting some hardware cloth with 1/2" square openings and then screw 1x2 furring strips around the entire perimeter making sure you have screws going through several of the holes (in at least an inch from the edge) to anchor it. Then nothing can reach through to grab your birds, like a raccoon and I don't believe that a dog's teeth could actually get a hold through the half inch openings.

 

[gjensen]

You built a whole house of the construction waste? What a score!!! I've tried to scavenge at construction sites but it seems like the guys that work there have dibs on all the good stuff like concrete forms and such.

I love that using these materials forces one to be creative and put more thought into the design all the way around. Building from a plan is nice and predictable but I'd rather implement my own little twists into anything I build so it will be just a tad different from others that are of a similar construction.

All of my enclosures are at least half scavenged. Most much more. I was patient and moved along as I could.

I would have loved to have helped more with people that asked about our dumpster stuff, but liability would not allow it. Generally, the sites would be too active with large equipment. if someone had got hurt it could have been a big deal.

I was able to be more accommodating in the finishing stages. The furniture etc. coming in pallets etc. Then I would have a more controlled environment.

 

[gjensen]

Good job Mary.

It is surprising to see what some can do with salvage. Especially with a little creativity, stain, or paint.