From Civilian to Chicken Rancher timeline.

[Jakoda]

can I ask where you got your heat lamp from? Love the style, do you think those are 'safer' than regular heat lamps? I'm paranoid of fire

 

[Jakoda]

ooops disregard, found the lamp

 

[ailurophile23]

Years of marital training with a whip and rolling pin

Around here it is a cast iron skillet.

 

[The Lazy L]

can I ask where you got your heat lamp from? Love the style, do you think those are 'safer' than regular heat lamps? I'm paranoid of fire

Yes I believe they are safer. There is nothing to fall, break and ignite the bedding.

Going by memory they are 25 watt compared to a 150 watt, le$$ money to the Electrical Company.

 

[Kikiriki]

I've got a question about using sand to 'level the floor'.
A friend is giving me an old wooden shed to use as a coop.  The site that I'd like to place it is really ... um.. lumpy.  There are dips and holes and some small stumps and knobs where little trees or underbrush used to be.  The ground is so full of roots that digging it level would be a HUGE task.  I was thinking that I could 'level' the site with sand and then set the shed on blocks.  I figured that if I built up a 'frame' of 2x6's around the whole thing and filled with sand/dirt it would stay dry and eliminate the holes & hills.

I put my coop/run right under an established oak. I was able to attach my fence to the roots in some spots and the roots are awesome because digging there is near impossible. The dog and a squirrel tried to no avail! The one spot that is deep sand is covered with cement blocks. I do recommend adding sand over your skirt because the roots get exposed as the girls scratch and the feeder roots are getting torn up. I will be adding a layer of sand just because it is annoying me.

Lazy L, i have so enjoyed watching your progress! Thanks for taking the time from your busy days to update your thread!!

 

[The Lazy L]

May 22

BOs left Mansfield Ohio yesterday at 3:51 PM

BOs arrive at South Bend Indiana today at 8:10 AM

Bos left South Bend at ?

9:40 AM. Walked to the local Post Office. No chicks. Advised mail from South Bend goes to Goshen for "sorting" then to local Post Office. arghhhh!

Call the Goshen Post Office. Nope they don't have any chickens...well that answer saves me a half hour car trip.

Patience Grasshopper...patience...I've been waiting 6 months what's ANOTHER DAY OR TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ailurophile23]

Hang in there. My chicks survived a three day trek through the USPS system. Just keep checking on their progress - if they arrive in Goshen late, I am sure that 30 minute drive will be worthwhile for your sanity. \

When you do get them, be sure to have food and water ready immediately - and add electrolytes (and maybe some sugar) to the water. They should get the hang of eating and drinking pretty quickly.

 

[The Lazy L]

10:09 AM

Goshen Post Office called. They are holding some chicks for me!

 

[ailurophile23]

How exciting!

 

[Mikedero]

This has to be one of the best threads I have read in a really long time and in fact this weekend I am adding some of the stuff you suggested to my coop.

Thanks for the laughs and the great advise. Looking forward to many more of your posts.