FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[CelticOaksFarm]

Looks like Hodges will get them, they have lovely birds, but with a 25 min live chick order at $19 each.

 

[AspiringUrbaniteFarmer]

My dream chicken is the Isbar. http://greenfirefarms.com/store/category/chickens/isbars/

Only $99 per unsexed live chick.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Yeah I will stick with my olive Eggers and not pay 99$ for 1 chick. Gees a weeze

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Hey Heather, how many chickens do you keep in the coop you bought? Would you recommend the builder to others? We are looking for a coop for the 13 year old for his Marans flock so he can keep them pure.

 

[Floridachicken1958]

Quote:
The rule of thumb for housing chickens is 3foot per bird.But who goes by that?

 

[Floridachicken1958]

Ole possum tried me lastnite and he should of known better cause now I'll sell his hide for "ROAD KILL"

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

4 in the coop and 10 in the run, but his flock will free range in part of the yard. More looking for night time security for them. Willing to pay for something that is well built, looks good and secure. He has spent hours learning breed standard and what to look for to build his flock.

 

[AspiringUrbaniteFarmer]

Yes, now that the Coop crafter has worked-out all the kinks, the coop we have is perfect. Fits 5 silkies, 2 black coppers, & now the baby chickadees perfectly. Love the nest boxes & I have the built-in feed trough / water container perch. It's easy to clean - I keep a mix of mulch & hay with plenty of diatomaceous earth, spray with neem oil, scatter cedar oil pellets around the perimeter, have the dog use the bathroom around it (predator pee, right?) & have a flood light on above it all night. I think the light definitely helps to detract the nocturnal predators.

I also have lined the perimeter of it with landscaping paver blocks. from home depot.

I wouldn't keep as many as I have cooped up in there all the time. I have left them for a few days (during the constant rain) & they did fine... but I like them out & about eating bugs & pooping in the bushes.

I literally clean mine daily. I like to feed the compost!

Honestly, if you know someone handy... I'd buy the plans the guy sells for the bigger version of mine & do it yourself or even just ask him how much he'd charge to build the larger one he sells plans for. I'm positive you could house that many chickens in the bigger one comfortably & for longer periods of time. He also gives the option to add the cage wire on the bottom- maybe do that if digging predators are a serious concern.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Will email him About the plans, that is a great option. Will be part of the 13 year olds Christmas. He will be getting everything new from coop to feeders and waters and his own incubator too. Thinking of giving him the south east part of yard. It gs great summer shade and is right next to the yellow brooding house.

 

[Floridachicken1958]

Quote:
Best thing you could of done to keep all other animals out is to let your dog peee around the coop & run cause there is no wild animal about to come near it now.The light is another good thing but I have found that the light doesn't always work But leaving a radio on makes it sound like people out there talking and they are more scared of us than we are of them so that is a better way to deter wild animals.But now no wild animals can get to y chickies cause I put plywood around the bottom of run along fence. I've noticed they have tried to dig it out but they can't get under it. So coons or whatever wants to visit them they can but can't reach them.Took alot of lost chickens to figure this out but it took trial & error to get it right.