Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

So DH is now not loving the idea of building a coop and run from scratch. Two of these might work to get us up and running quickly at the new place. Some modifications would be needed, if course.

Thoughts?
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-extra-large-sentinel-chicken-coop-mfc-ls#

Seems like a decent coop by reviews...just make sure the 'pallet' it comes shipped on isn't damaged when they deliver! (since it is the base of the coop also.) Personally, I think you will still need more run space...near as I can figure, it is somewhere between 35 & 40 sq. feet each, so only 80 sq. feet-ish of run space with 2.

That said, would make a fine temporary housing...and in the future, would be a GREAT 'intergration' coop. (next to permanent run/coop) and/or additional covered space for winter.

 

[bgmathteach]

Thoughts and opinions on straw versus pine or cedar chips for coop bedding?

Are you in a humid area? If it is very humid, I would stay away from stray as it can harbor mold inside the straw shafts. If it tends to be a relatively dry climate where you are, it should be okay. Just be sure you do clean it out regularly (i.e. don't use straw for 'deep bedding' for the same reason.)

Cedar: please don't use, the natural oils in cedar is said to not be good for chickens.

Pine: shavings (larger flaked version) are best imo. The fine shavings/sawdust they peck at and eat...but it is more absorbent. The flakes are less absorbent, but bigger so they don't eat them so much, plus they do provide more 'loft' if warmth/insulation is important.

For the run, wood chips are great.

You might also consider hemp bedding. I love it, but where I live it isn't readily available, and to order online & have it shipped makes the price about 10x+ the cost of a bale of shavings. So I only ever used it once, when I got a great deal to try it.

Everyone does something different & will have different opinions. Read them all, then pick what will work best for you in your situation. With a few caveats, there really is no 'right' or 'wrong' here.

 

[rural mouse]

Such a beautiful lady.

She snapped out of broody so hoping she goes hard in a couple of months. At the moment, she's not letting Cheetah anywhere near her. Cuckoo, Nellie, Thing, and Blanche have a few feathers messed up, so eggs from them are likely fertile. Silver gets tagged occassionally (She ran across the yard yesterday with him in hot pursuit...right up to Blanche, whom he promptly started courting). Pear isn't going near him (understandable as her feathers are still growing back in). Twirp and Storm come up when he tidbits, but evade when he tried a grab.

It was warm enough yesterday to spend over an hour (at one time, went out several times) out with them . I wandered the yard a bit as they trailed after me slowly. We found some greening grass, several flies (Cuckoo was trying to catch those), and the extra straw bale in the car port got a serious scratching at (it's still tied thankfully). Ground was also dry enough to sit in the grass for a bit. Jess and Blanche stayed more in the lower garden, realized they couldn't find everyone, and started the come-and-find-me call. Cheetah promptly went running straight towards them.....right into the back of the car port. ..where there's no exit.... He found his way out and all was well.

 

[Chicks in VA]

hi folks im here again but i wanted to let you know im hatching chicks this sunday and bantams are coming may 25th

 

[BY Bob]

Thoughts and opinions on straw versus pine or cedar chips for coop bedding?

I use chopped straw. It composts very well into new soil for my garden. My ladies love it when it is fresh and they dig through it for something they eat. I have no idea what but I'm guessing seeds. The chopped straw is a lot better in the coop than whole straw which I use for the nest boxes and runs in the winter.

 

[lightm]

It's not something that is in my mind; it's a fact. Read just about any well informed paper on chickens and it will tell you much the same. Chickens dust bath to soak up the oil they secrete that conditons their feathers and skin.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/

Thank you @Shadrach @BY Bob @Ponypoor for the great information. @Shadrach , you are so pedantic it makes me chuckle. Next time I shall ask "according to the best of your knowledge".

 

[RoyalChick]

Are you in a humid area? If it is very humid, I would stay away from stray as it can harbor mold inside the straw shafts. If it tends to be a relatively dry climate where you are, it should be okay. Just be sure you do clean it out regularly (i.e. don't use straw for 'deep bedding' for the same reason.

Cedar: please don't use, the natural oils in cedar is said to not be good for chickens.

Pine: shavings are best imo. The fine shavings/sawdust they peck at and eat...but it is more absorbent. The flakes are less absorbant, but bigger so they don't eat them so much, plus they do provide more 'loft' if warmth/insulation is important.

For the run, wood chips are great.

You might also consider hemp bedding. I love it, but where I live it isn't readily available, and to order online & have it shipped makes the price about 10x the cost of a bale of shavings.

Everyone does something different & will have different opinions. Read them all, then pick what will work best for you in your situation. With a few caveats, there really is no 'right' or 'wrong' here.

Let me put in a pitch for dried leaves - they have the benefit of being free and having creepy crawlies in them - they are excellent for a run. I dry them off and use in the coop also. I use pine shavings and shredded paper in the nest boxes but the princesses always bring leaves in to the nest boxes for decoration.

 

[BY Bob]

She snapped out of broody so hoping she goes hard in a couple of months. At the moment, she's not letting Cheetah anywhere near her. Cuckoo, Nellie, Thing, and Blanche have a few feathers messed up, so eggs from them are likely fertile. Silver gets tagged occassionally (She ran across the yard yesterday with him in hot pursuit...right up to Blanche, whom he promptly started courting). Pear isn't going near him (understandable as her feathers are still growing back in). Twirp and Storm come up when he tidbits, but evade when he tried a grab.

It was warm enough yesterday to spend over an hour (at one time, went out several times) out with them . I wandered the yard a bit as they trailed after me slowly. We found some greening grass, several flies (Cuckoo was trying to catch those), and the extra straw bale in the car port got a serious scratching at (it's still tied thankfully). Ground was also dry enough to sit in the grass for a bit. Jess and Blanche stayed more in the lower garden, realized they couldn't find everyone, and started the come-and-find-me call. Cheetah promptly went running straight towards them.....right into the back of the car port. ..where there's no exit.... He found his way out and all was well.

Sounds like a wonderful hour. Isn't it great when you can start getting out with them again. I am envious that you were able to sit on the ground with them. Here it is still so muddy that is out of the question.

 

[BY Bob]

hi folks im here again but i wanted to let you know im hatching chicks this sunday and bantams are coming may 25th

Exciting! We will need to see photos. You know that.

 

[rural mouse]

So DH is now not loving the idea of building a coop and run from scratch. Two of these might work to get us up and running quickly at the new place. Some modifications would be needed, if course.

Thoughts?
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-extra-large-sentinel-chicken-coop-mfc-ls#

Very sturdy, like the covered run, warning bells: no pics of the roosts (you're either bringing or making roosts anyway, right?) definitely add to the run. maybe put some space between them and run fencing (and roof wire) between to expand the run space, maybe keep open aired for bathing, clear tarp the windward side? I like that the coop is big enough for you to walk into: much easier to inspect the inside. nest boxes look good.