Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Can you put another high roost in over the current food & water, next to Mal's roost (@rural mouse had this idea too), but because your access door is there, move the food & water to the left, over toward the nest boxes. Then block the end of Daisy's roost so no one roosts directly over it.

I need to consider this. Changes to roosts are really hard right now with the roof on. That's why I waited until the roof was off to do it this time.

 

[BY Bob]

Okay, @ChicoryBlue here goes. I hope I explain what I am thinking clearly enough to understand.

Starting with your 2X2s, keep them as is - but the exact with of the plywood apart, so the edge of the plywood is even with the edge (at least the front edge, anyways - if the fence spacing doesn't allow both front edge and back edge to be even) of the plywood.
I made a model from cardboard to illustrate most of what I'm thinking.
View attachment 3369588

See how 2x2s are spaced to be even with edge of plywood platform below:View attachment 3369591

On the under side of plywood, attach strapping/ 1x2s so that when you place the plywood on the 2x2s, the strapping fit snuggly inside the 2x2s:
View attachment 3369599

This should help hold the plywood in place so it doesn't slide, so no need to screw it to the 2x2s.

Then, for the ladder (I'm not sure if this will work with your ladder, as I don't know just how wide the 'hooked part' is that would slide over the below set-up)

Can you screw two short pieces of 2x2 to the outside edge of your cross bar 2x2, just a bit farther apart than your ladder is wide, then screw a piece of 1x2 to that that you can hook the ladder over? Examples of what I mean below...View attachment 3369606View attachment 3369603
Above is a 2x3 screwed to 2x3 'spacers'

This gives me something to 'hook' the ramp to, below images:

View attachment 3369605

I actually hook the ramp to the door handles I put in an angled edge (see middle picture), but I know someone who did something similar, but hooks it to the board that is spaced out from the frame.

This is much along the lines I was thinking. Thanks for saving me the write up.

 

[BY Bob]

The deed is done and no necks were broken in the process. Momma hen is safely in one of the porch boxes with 4 chicks and 4 eggs. When Austin was trying to get into position to gently grab her she came off the nest like a bat out of you know where. He deflected her and almost lost his footing in the process. Oh the names that hen was called. At that point there was no getting her and stuffing her in the cat carrier so he caught the chicks and eggs and put them in and brought them down too me. Not before busting up her nest and blocking the entrance with a rock. It took about 10 minutes but she did come off the hill to the chicks. I managed to grab her and then moved her to the porch. I first stuffed her in the nest and while holding her tucked one egg under her. That was all it took for her to settle down and accept the rest of the eggs and her chicks.

Excellent! Good work all.

 

[BY Bob]

Still waiting for a broody Silkie. 3 silkie hens and neither have ever been broody.

More Mythbusters! Welcome to the club.

 

[BY Bob]

One thing with the screws. They can work their way out. I know it's possible to set them in so they don't, but I don't know what the technique is. Worth it for the longevity of the roof.

Fortunately I will be able to reach them to tighten them at any point without too much difficulty. Did you drill pilot holes before entering any screws?

Metal Roof Tax

 

[BY Bob]

Pre drill the holes where you wish to put the screw in, and put the screws in the ridge not the valley so you lessen the risk of water.

Lastly did you get the screws with the rubber washer on them? To make it more water resistant?

Yep metal roofing is expensive but it will last a good 30 or more years!

That's interesting. The instructions say to specifically put the screws in the valley on either side of the ridge. I do have the screws with the rubber washers.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes i just got on, and i have 3 silkies, 13 laying hens, 18 meat birds, and a chick that will be moving to the layers once she's big enough. Or he. I also have three turkeys, and i wrote a book on the female, Chip. It will be on amazon soon.

Nice to meet you.

 

[BY Bob]

Ya.... I have it bad. Being in camp gives one time to think haha!

I was so wanting some of those Sultans but not if they are straight run boohoo! But the Legbars are still looking good to me. Anyways Spring is a long way off, and I don't know what will happen after this project. I might have to jump right into another project, which will suck. I will have to hire someone to finish the run in that case Can't have the chickies stuck inside in nice weather. We have a wonderful Mennonite community that does lovely work - I am sure they know how to do chicken runs !

I really endorse Legbars. I love my Glynda.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

O

I love guineas - wish I could have some

Awesome job on you school grades! Keep up the good work.

Have you tried a pumpkin with your kiddos? We all had a go with pumpkins at Hallowe'en and it seems that chickens really like pumpkins! Not sure you can get pumpkins now but next year might be a thought.

Guineas are awesome! Thank you! Oh yes, my chickens LOVE pumpkin. They ate a whole pumpkin in a day once

 

[knoturavggrl]

I know! Then I see the price....

Oh yes, I just look for reference purposes. They have good information and great photos to drool over. Unless, you were showing chickens I can’t imagine why you would buy from them and SFH aren’t a recognized breed so I don't even think its an option to show those.

My crew came from Alchemist Farms which is also more then say tractor supply but not in the omg range like Greenfire. I liked their zero tolerance for breeding mean Roos as I have kids this mattered to me and they seemed to care deeply about the health of the chicks they hatch and yep I am willing to a pay a BIT more for that for what i hope will be my foundation flock going forward but yeah I agree Greenfire is in the OMG why range. The pics and rare breed info is interesting to look at though.

How much can a day old chick be??

Not that much surely…?

Quite a bit apparently. Those all black chickens that hardly lay any eggs but are stunning Ayam Cemani for instance from GFF run 69.00 per chick straight run. The SFH are 29.00 per chick straight run. Crazy, if you want the show chickens well I suppose if thats your thing sure. Otherwise I can’t fathom why.

Thanks for the endorsement. It's it easy to work with?

Steel Roof Tax

View attachment 3369862

Idk how hard exactly as an Amish company did our roof. They completed the roof on my house which is on the large side and our three car detached garage in 3 days. Seemed to go quickly, just alot of screws.

Roof tax: