Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

They are fine looking and as yiu say from New Jersey so no climate worries, but I am a bit intimidated by their size TBH!

They're called gentle giants for a reason. Rusty would walk up, look at me, then go about tending the flock. He paced circles around the coop when the babies were in it, alerting to EVERY magpie (or larger bird) in existence. He did the same when Mama was broody, then alerted for even smaller birds. I was sitting out there when a little bitty kestrel dropped in between the trees. Rusty alerted before it was through the trees.

I had 1 giant hen in the group that got snatched by the foxes in May. She was the most laid back hen I've ever seen. Calm, unflappable, chill. Could help settle the roadrunners.

 

[rural mouse]

They are very large birds as well, almost turkey sized, correct?

Roosters can get up to 13 pounds, so Young turkey. Hens around 10 pounds so about the same size as the average rooster (wyandotte, Plymouth rock, orpington, australorp). My hen looked like a slightly larger black Orpington. She was about the same size as Buster, calm, relaxed, steady layer about every other day. Giants don't start laying until about 6 months and don't finish filling out until closer to 9. The mature more slowly than most breeds, and tend to be a steady bird.

 

[bgmathteach]

Ok peeps, I have a conundrum that I need input on.
This is the prefab I have now that becoming derelict. I hate it which is why I’m looking to upgrade to the cubby coop idea…
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ok, so I’ve just seen this and other than difference in height the living space is roughly the same size as the cubby I was going to purchase.

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Now, after I fit a floor, raise it on stumps, add ventilation, windows, nest boxes, and all the other stuff to make the cubby safe and secure for my girls, it will end up costing me at least $100-$150 more than this one.
This is the cubby…
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All I’ve bought so far for my project is paint so…I’m torn.
As I said, I’m not handy with building so I tried to keep my plan simple for a build but for me, that’s a fair chunk of money. And considering what the girls have now the new prefab is a fair but bigger.
They roam each day so the size of the run isn’t worrying me (and at least it is covered unlike now in the run.)
And I could add more roosts in the prefab, and use my paint if I want to hahaha.
Input?

Sorry I haven’t cropped the photos, first day back at work after the holidays so I’m tired
I hope this all makes sense!

@Scrambles 83 - do you have wooden pallets that you can get for free in your area? If so, it isn't too hard to make a coop from them. I don't have very good carpentry skills, but my girls have never complained that their coop isn't quite square!

@Shadrach has built some quite functional, but also fairly basic coops that I don't think would be too hard to replicate. Unfortunately, at the moment I can't seem to find the pic he posted on this thread.

For my coops, I use old feedbags to line the inside before putting on the interior plywood (just in case things don't line up perfect..so there is no draft! If you do build from mostly pallets, then you really just need 1-2 sheets of plywood, and lots of screws and some tar paper or corrugated roofing. Plus a few sheets of sand paper.


I have to lay stuff out on the ground, measure twice (or 3 or 4 times!), and make sure that ones side will fit together before cutting..then repeat for each remaining side...so, while I get it done, I am sure any carpenter would be shaking their head at how long it takes me, and how imperfect it ends up. BUT..they have been quite functional!

I've included links to a few free coop plans that are considered 'easy' to build. (Disclaimer: other's easy is not necessarily my 'easy'. )
1) http://thetanglednest.com/2010/02/our-urban-chicken-coop-plan/
2) https://barngeek.com/chicken-coop-library/free-chicken-coop-plans
3) https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/trictles-chicken-coop-with-plans.47755/
4) https://myoutdoorplans.com/animals/easy-chicken-coop-plans/
5) note: only good for nice weather (or as extra 'safe space), and use HARDWARE CLOTH, not chicken wire https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/got-empty-wire-spools-heres-an-idea.132323/

6) https://www.organicconsumers.org/si...pbuildplans.com_free_5_chicken_barn_plans.pdf

7) ( sorry, this is intermediate, too, but couldn't resist including it, too much tongue in cheek cuteness!) https://www.creativespotting.com/2013/03/poop-coop-recyclart/
8) (another intermediate, but also essentially free!) https://www.99pallets.com/pallet-projects/diy-chicken-coop-from-pallets/
9) more difficult, but quite nice! https://steamykitchen.com/20640-the-palace-chicken-coop.html

Since you have already thought of how to modify the playhouse, I am sure you can look at these options, and modify them to your liking. There are lots more plans out there, but I included only (well, almost only) all ones that were A) listed as easy, and B) had an attached run.

Also, @ByBob has coop plans for his coop, but I haven't checked it out for difficulty of build nor expense of materials...it is quite a roomy coop...not sure how many girls you have.

 

[rural mouse]

Thank you playing along. If I remembered right, no one got #5 but you!

Blazinga did.

 

[bgmathteach]

Monday Mugs

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Ohhh, Phyllis is going to have some real competition in the 'do' area. I'm guessing the second shot is of Legertha's top knot? Soooo cute!

 

[LozzyR]

Groupies by the studio door!

 

[BY Bob]

Ohhh, Phyllis is going to have some real competition in the 'do' area. I'm guessing the second shot is of Legertha's top knot? Soooo cute!

The second is indeed Legertha. She has a wonderful mop top growing. Sylvie's is lop sided.

 

[rural mouse]

Blazinga did.

SHRA

 

[Chicken poppy]

Everyone! Im freaking out. I think were getting a dozen or so serema chicken eggs To incubate and hatch! jeez! This is awesome.

 

[BY Bob]

Groupies by the studio door!

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What a wonderful bunch of groupies you have!