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xcop said:
Thanks Michael for your detailed message I will definitely buy the hardware cloth you mentioned, but can't predators dig under it? I also don't know where to buy the chickens (I would love to be able to save some 'rescues') so I will have to do some digging myself. I do have lots of friends who are willing to help with the labour. I noticed on youtube that a man was throwing them scraps - is there anything they shouldn't eat? One advantage of this place is that I have a huge walk-out elevated deck which is a perfect vantage point for the coop. I could certainly spot predators during the day from there. Thanks again, so glad I found this site!
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You're welcome. Yes, predators can definitely dig under your run so you need to attach about 2-3 ft. of hardware cloth to the base of your coop and run it around the outside perimeter of the coop. Make sure it is laying flat on the ground (pinning it down is advisable) and cover it with a layer of dirt or rock. This will prevent predators from digging under the base of your run. Be sure you use either a padlock or a double action latch on your coop door if you have raccoons in your area as raccoons can quickly figure out how to open a single action latch. As far as scraps go, it you can eat it, your chickens can eat it. If you give them eggs or meat however, make sure that they are cooked well as you don't want to encourage cannibalism or egg eating. Also limit the amount of treats you give to less than 10% of their diet. Commercial chicken feeds are specially formulated to meet all of a chicken's nutritional needs. What you think you are saving in money by feeding them scraps you will lose in the long run by the deterioration in your flocks' health and the drop off in egg production. Too many treats will make your chickens fat and unhealthy. It's like us eating potato chips and candy bars.
 
Thanks again! I posted some photos of the structures on the farm which could be used as coops. Did you see them?
 
xcop said:
Thanks again! I posted some photos of the structures on the farm which could be used as coops. Did you see them?
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Yes, I saw the pictures. Can the windows be opened in the pine building? You need good coop ventilation. If so, since it is closer to the house, I would probably use it. I would clean the floor out as good as I could, then put a layer of coarse river or builders' sand (not beach sand) over the floor. Since the lawn tractor needs so much repair work, and the chicken wire would need to be replaced with hardware cloth as there are too many predators that can tear through chicken wire or squeeze through the openings in the mesh, I wouldn't try and use the lawn tractor. I would build a large, attached run frame to the pine building and use hardware cloth to cover the ground beneath the run. You can then put a layer of coarse sand or dirt over the hardware cloth that is underneath the run. I would also put a roof on the run to prevent the ground in it from turning into a muddy mess when it rains. If you have raccoons in your area, be sure and use either a padlock or a double action latch on any doors as raccoons can very quickly figure out how to open a single action latch.
 
You are writing what I have also been thinking - that the tractor is not suitable. It would have to be moved there for starters and it is very heavy. When the farmer comes over next week (he is a contractor who specializes in barn repairs and also owns chickens) I will repeat your idea. Unfortunately the windows do not open at all, so I could have him replace them with appropriate ones...any ideas there? And do you have any idea what that layer of crud is on the floor? Turkey droppings? And do I put sawdust in there? Yes there are lots of racoons around here alright. I will have to buy locks and also get nest boxes and a perch. I have looked at the bottom of the coop and do not see any holes so far. I took your advice and checked out all of the breeds. I'm thinking Orpingtons are the way to go as they have a high rating and can survive in cold weather. Thanks again Michael!
 
xcop said:
You are writing what I have also been thinking - that the tractor is not suitable. It would have to be moved there for starters and it is very heavy. When the farmer comes over next week (he is a contractor who specializes in barn repairs and also owns chickens) I will repeat your idea. Unfortunately the windows do not open at all, so I could have him replace them with appropriate ones...any ideas there? And do you have any idea what that layer of crud is on the floor? Turkey droppings? And do I put sawdust in there? Yes there are lots of racoons around here alright. I will have to buy locks and also get nest boxes and a perch. I have looked at the bottom of the coop and do not see any holes so far. I took your advice and checked out all of the breeds. I'm thinking Orpingtons are the way to go as they have a high rating and can survive in cold weather. Thanks again Michael!
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You're welcome. I would go with plexiglass windows that slide sideways. They will probably be less expensive than glass windows, and there will be no danger of them breaking. The sliding windows can be opened to various degrees depending on the weather conditions outside. Also be sure and put a layer of hardware cloth behind the windows so when they are opened (which will likely be most of the time, even cracked a little in winter away from the direction of the wind to prevent moisture from building up in the coop) predators will not be able to get in through the windows. The layer of crud on the floor might be dried Turkey droppings. Without actually seeing it, it's impossible for me to say for sure. Do not use sawdust on the coop floor. Not only can it cause respiratory problems, but it will pack down into paper-mache that can be next to impossible to keep stirred and clean. It's possible that is what the layer of crud currently on the floor is. Just coarse sand on the floor is plenty adequate, but if your want to add something else, I would go with pine shavings. Also, pine shavings make excellent nesting material for your nest boxes. Do not use cedar shavings as they can be toxic to chickens. Orpingtons are a great breed. I've raised them for years (and still have some in my flock), and they are very cold hardy, friendly and gentle (my children and granddaughter made lap pets of them), and good layers of large, brown eggs.
 
Once again, thanks for all your help. I now have a plan. I will start very soon and I found a local company on Kijiji that sells Orpingtons....can you mix breeds or should I just stick with them? I don't want the girls fighting. Great tip about the windows and makes perfect sense. Thanks for saving me a lot of time!
 
xcop said:
Once again, thanks for all your help. I now have a plan. I will start very soon and I found a local company on Kijiji that sells Orpingtons....can you mix breeds or should I just stick with them? I don't want the girls fighting. Great tip about the windows and makes perfect sense. Thanks for saving me a lot of time!
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You're welcome. You can mix breeds. Just make certain that they are bought together and are about the same size. If you mix breeds, I would suggest going with those cold hardy breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle such as Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas, or Cochins.
 
Michael OShay said:
You're welcome. You can mix breeds. Just make certain that they are bought together and are about the same size. If you mix breeds, I would suggest going with those cold hardy breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle such as Orpingtons, Australorps, Brahmas, or Cochins.
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P.S. If egg production is a priority, Australorps are the best layers on this list.
 

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