Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

That isn’t hillbillies that’s Newfoundlander talk!

So, you are saying that US Hillbillies and Newfoundlanders are essentially kissing cousins??

 

[bgmathteach]

You need a Roo. I suggest Shirley

I wholeheartedly agree - she needs a Roo!!!

 

[knoturavggrl]

We have poop boards that are sand boxes. Works great! We just scoop the sand every day like we would a cat box. I highly recommend it!!!

I love having a poop board under the roost. A layer of sweet PDZ (I get it at TSC), scoop the poop every morning, and there is no poop smell in the coop.

Thank you both! I will see what it looks like. I think the way I am planning to do the roosts that it should be pretty easy to put in a board under them.

Doing this might also allow me to put in a broody/chick area under the roosts. My imagination FAR outpaces my carpentry skills though so we shall see how it goes.

 

[bgmathteach]

Thanks for the information!

Wattle wednesday
At least one of those marans better be a girl!!! Although I'm fairly sure SassySquatch is at least.
View attachment 4082406
Breezy boy. Look at those chunky legs!View attachment 4082407
Teeniest wattles
View attachment 4082408
Marans leghorn cross

The first and last are definitely boys. The middle one I am leaning towards pullet (especially if a marans cross), but I would reserve my final judegement for another week or two with a new picture!

 

[Ponypoor]

Just like grandparents do!

And Aunties

 

[Ponypoor]

I went out to check the coop and run before the chicks arrive. Roof needs major work, thanks to that awful storm and its just never going to be secure enough without a full rebuild and a floor—too pricey right now. I’ll patch the roof to stop more damage, but I’m throwing in the towel on the restoration coop for now.

New plan:
I am getting a shed delivered around April 7th.
View attachment 4082774
I’ll attach it to the existing run (solid shape, metal roof, big door). Chickens could eventually have access to the old coop to act as an indoor 8x16 run addition, once they are roosting in the new one.

Shed mods:

• Add 4 ventilation holes (4”x8”) near the roofline, opposite sides.
• Might cut out “windows,” add hardware cloth, and plexi covers for winter.
• Use joist hangers and 2x4s for 8ft roosts (2ft and 3ft high, same side). Thinking poop board possibly, if anyone has one and likes or hates it let me know.
• I have a big communal nest box and hanging singles—undecided on which I will use.
• Old coop’s auto door stays and I will get another one for the shed, plus a hole in the run’s hardware cloth for access.

We’re leveling the spot with creek bed gravel for the shed.
Anything I’m missing? Excited for a cleaner, better-planned coop!

Nice! Love it!

 

[Ponypoor]

Like Holly and Jolly?

Heck no! I paid $25 each for those little demons!

I picked over all the chicks and them made an educated guesstimate on which were pullets and with the white ones instead….. just saying they darn well better be pullets the price I paid!

 

[Ponypoor]

So, you are saying that US Hillbillies and Newfoundlanders are essentially kissing cousins??

Could be! Third cousins first removed….

 

[bgmathteach]

Use joist hangers and 2x4s for 8ft roosts (2ft and 3ft high, same side). Thinking poop board possibly, if anyone has one and likes or hates it let me know.

My neighbor has a plastic shed (that is plastic, yes?), and to put roosts in, they used bolts through the outside (with fender washers) into roosts on the inside. It worked to both better secure the roosts and to assist with keeping the side walls sound/not buckle. If it is a wood framed shed, ignore this comment.

I have a big communal nest box and hanging singles—undecided on which I will use.

Depends on if it is wood or plastic shed. If it is plastic, if you 'hang them', I would also put some sort of supports under them.

Finally as far as poop boards or the like - i agree that having something to catch overnight poops ultimately makes clean-up easier and the rest of the bedding last longer. how you do that isup to you - both what you like and what you feel you can manage design and carpentry wise. (some people use poop 'slings' - cloth draped under roosts, some have formal wood poop boards, some, like @ValerieJ just use a 'sandbox' on the coop floor beneath for daily clean-ups.

 

[knoturavggrl]

My neighbor has a plastic shed (that is plastic, yes?), and to put roosts in, they used bolts through the outside (with fender washers) into roosts on the inside. It worked to both better secure the roosts and to assist with keeping the side walls sound/not buckle. If it is a wood framed shed, ignore this comment.

Depends on if it is wood or plastic shed. If it is plastic, if you 'hang them', I would also put some sort of supports under them.

Finally as far as poop boards or the like - i agree that having something to catch overnight poops ultimately makes clean-up easier and the rest of the bedding last longer. how you do that isup to you - both what you like and what you feel you can manage design and carpentry wise. (some people use poop 'slings' - cloth draped under roosts, some have formal wood poop boards, some, like @ValerieJ just use a 'sandbox' on the coop floor beneath for daily clean-ups.

It is plastic you are correct, with a steel frame. The idea to use bolts is genius, Thank you and your neighbor .

I think I will use the freestanding nest box I have then, based on your feedback.

I could just put in a 2x4 on the floor, to contain the sand, right under the roosts. I like that idea, much easier.

Thank you so much!