From Civilian to Chicken Rancher timeline.

[The Lazy L]

... This is my first experiment in building,...
..

Looks to me you're doing an excellent job!

Fun isn't it?

 

[nono]

How has the dirt/sand in your inner run been holding up under all their scratching? I'm finding that mine is becoming very rocky from all the scratching, and it's only been 3 weeks since our run was finished (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-schoop.) They're like little miners digging away and turning up all the small rocks from underneath. I'm contemplating what I'm going to have to use to "top" it back off again.

 

[Stumpy]

How has the dirt/sand in your inner run been holding up under all their scratching? I'm finding that mine is becoming very rocky from all the scratching, and it's only been 3 weeks since our run was finished (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-schoop.) They're like little miners digging away and turning up all the small rocks from underneath.

I'm having the same problem. I had no idea there was so much rock underneath the sand. Some of it just comes up with my little cat litter tool. I guess it will be sifted back out when I sift the compost that it all goes into.

 

[Ullie]

Your coop and run is Amazing. I Love It.

I am just about finished my coop and ready to start building the run. I have a Question if you don't mind answering.
My run will be more in an open area (just to the right of photo encompassing the tree) and I was thinking that I would have to dig/bury some corner posts for stability. The ground we are on is very, very rocky, bedrock at almost a foot or less. I noticed that you don't have any of your corner posts buried. My roof won't be anywhere as heavy as yours is that why your's is not anchored because of the weight of the wood/roof? I was thinking maybe to use those metal spikes that hold a 4 x 4?

I would really appreciate any and all thoughts/feed back on this as it is my first attempt at building (probably my last) and the thought of digging in some 4 x 4 doesn't really appeal to me.

Thank you again.

Battens have to be painted still.

April 13


(Disclaimer. I'm not a Roofer. I have NOT slept in any hotel lately and I think the year is 1868).


Forecast is calling for rain tonight and tomorrow. So I better get the roof shingled!

I wasn't going to use roofing felt because I'd have over half of a roll left. But then it runs against my grain not to. At $16.72 a roll it's cheap insurance.

Got the roofing felt on, aluminum brown roof edge molding and started throwing on the shingles.





I used the same architectural type shingles that the coop Builder used. 3 in 1 shingles you just cut them into 3rds for ridge caps but architectural type shingles require "special" ridge caps. They sell the "special" ridge caps in 30 foot lengths, I only need 8 feet! So I cheated and didn't use ridge caps.

The shingles on the back roof (left) came up and over the peak by about 4". The front roof (right) shingles went up and over the peak and over lapped the back roof another 4" and fastened with aluminum roofing nails. Unless you're a Hawk circling over head you'll never notice that I "cheated".

Architectural type shingles have an advantage over the 3 in 1. The scrap that gets cut off at the end of the first row can be used to start the second row and so forth. Less scraps! You don't need to line up the tabs (because there aren't any) like you do with 3 in 1 shingles.






April 14

Looks like it's going to rain any second. So I'll stay in the shop to cut and assemble the horizontal wire fabric supports for the for the secured run's flat roof.





Not raining yet.

If you take a clamp and a scrap piece of wood you will have a "extra hand" to hold the horizontal wire fabric support in place.





Add the horizontal support and fasten with deck screws.





And when you are done you have a support system that coons, foxes, coyotes and dogs can jump up and down all day without collapsing the welded wire fabric (at least that's the plan).




Still ain't raining (There are only two jobs where you can be wrong most of the time and still keep your job. Weather Forecaster and Politician) so I move on to the other end of the run.

Finished the framing for the people door. I ran out of lumber and energy so I'm done for the day

Your coop and run is Amazing. Love It.

I am just about finished my coop and ready to start building the run. I have a Question if you don't mind answering.
My run will be more in an open area and I was thinking that I would have to dig/bury some corner posts for stability. I noticed that you don't have any of your corner posts buried. My roof won't be anywhere as heavy as yours is that why your's is not anchored because or the weight of the roof?

 

[The Lazy L]

October 2, 2012

When I got home the ladies were in the coop a singing!

It's a bit early but could I have some eggs?

Nope. Computer controled chicken door didn't open and the ladies were locked in the coop all day. They were MAD!

Thinking I'll scrap the computer control for a cheap timer. Really doesn't matter if the door opens/closes at dawn/dusk since they have a secured run.

 

[The Lazy L]

October 11, 2012

No eggs

But the Ladies combs are turning from pale pink to red...soon...very soon.

Can you find Lucky the Rooster?




Giving the "eye" look for the camera.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

 

[Bettacreek]

I just have to say that your computer controlled camera is WAAAAAYYYY too freaking cool!

 

[The Lazy L]

How has the dirt/sand in your inner run been holding up under all their scratching? I'm finding that mine is becoming very rocky from all the scratching, and it's only been 3 weeks since our run was finished (https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-schoop.) They're like little miners digging away and turning up all the small rocks from underneath. I'm contemplating what I'm going to have to use to "top" it back off again.

I'm having the same problem. I had no idea there was so much rock underneath the sand. Some of it just comes up with my little cat litter tool. I guess it will be sifted back out when I sift the compost that it all goes into.

Ladies dig a deep hole in the sand then they fill it back up by digging another hole.

Now it looks like they are trying to dig a big enough hole to escape, almost completely under one corner of the secured run. I plan on filling it in today when I do the chores.

 

[The Lazy L]

I just have to say that your computer controlled camera is WAAAAAYYYY too freaking cool!

Thank you. I'm toying with the idea of putting a second cameras in the run.