Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ValerieJ]

, some, like @ValerieJ just use a 'sandbox' on the coop floor beneath for daily clean-ups.

Not on the floor. They are at least 3 feet above the floor. The floor is straw over linoleum, but it stays clean a pretty long time because they do most of their business in the sand boxes while roosting at night.

 

[ValerieJ]

The day has finally arrived. Nacho and the three younger ones are back at the neighbors yard. Hopefully caged up. Because I imagine they will be back to my yard. Ps. The neighbor is a real moron and he pushed his luck with my final nerve. He snuck into my yard while I was away today, and took what he thought was his. I think my chooks are still very nervous and afraid. Funny that he waited until POL to come get them

That's pretty rude. Can't he be a good neighbor and come talk it out? Maybe reimburse you for raising his chicks for him??? SMH

 

[ValerieJ]

I think I’m going to actually miss those little squirts!

 

[featherhead007]

That's pretty rude. Can't he be a good neighbor and come talk it out? Maybe reimburse you for raising his chicks for him??? SMH

People skills are lacking in the neighbor’s personality. He’s not a fair person

 

[featherhead007]

I might be upset and sad, but I have one thing he doesn’t have: that’s you people!

 

[ValerieJ]

People skills are lacking in the neighbor’s personality. He’s not a fair person

I'm very sad for you. I hope he decides they are all too much for him and asks you if you would like to have them. But then, I have a neighbor who never took good care of her chickens and it took years for her to finally give it all up and give them away. It was a joyous day for me. Answer to prayers!!! She didn't give them to me, but it doesn't matter. They went to someone and ANYONE would give them a better life.

 

[Sylvester017]

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!

I like your new shed idea. It was an idea we considered but we aren't DIY people to include all the necessary chicken modifications needed like vents, windows, pop door, roosts, run, etc. I'm excited to see your finished new shed!

Our 1st coop for 5 yrs was protected from the weather elements rain, wind, sun, by tarps.

Nice little design but when we remodeled the yard I insisted on having a patio roof over the new barn coop to protect from blazing summer sun & protect from any rain leaks. We also like retrieving eggs from the nestbox cuz there's a patio roof over us while we collect eggs in the rain.

 

[Marie2020]

The day has finally arrived. Nacho and the three younger ones are back at the neighbors yard. Hopefully caged up. Because I imagine they will be back to my yard. Ps. The neighbor is a real moron and he pushed his luck with my final nerve. He snuck into my yard while I was away today, and took what he thought was his. I think my chooks are still very nervous and afraid. Funny that he waited until POL to come get them

That must have gutted you. I am so sad he did this

 

[Marie2020]

I like your new shed idea. It was an idea we considered but we aren't DIY people to include all the necessary chicken modifications needed like vents, windows, pop door, roosts, run, etc. I'm excited to see your finished new shed!

Our 1st coop for 5 yrs was protected from the weather elements rain, wind, sun, by tarps.
View attachment 4083128
Nice little design but when we remodeled the yard I insisted on having a patio roof over the new barn coop to protect from blazing summer sun & protect from any rain leaks. We also like retrieving eggs from the nestbox cuz there's a patio roof over us while we collect eggs in the rain.

If only I could have had cover from my back door to the coop, I could have coped so much better. I'd probably still have princess and more rescues today.

That was a lovely coop in this picture

View attachment 4083129
View attachment 4083130

 

[Marie2020]

I think I’m going to actually miss those little squirts!