Helpful hints for building coops

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Bobby Basham said:
but the weeds are about 3-feet high
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Ok, there's a motivator to get your coop up and bring in some girls. You'd be amazed at how quickly they can weed a garden for you.
I hadn't done anything to my raised vege beds in some time. I sent my girls in and they tilled it all, weeded it all, did all the work. (I then had to fence it to keep them out, but they did a good job at helping me resurrect it for replanting.)

As for coop design, I'd build a box, with good access for cleaning. Make all of the internal layout removable. If something doesn't work, you can change it. You've committed to nothing.

I have 2 coops, one has attached nest boxes, the other is just a room and the nest boxes are removable. I'd like the attached nest boxes gone and I'm thinking of removing them. All they really do is impede cleaning from the nest box door. If they were removable, I'd have better cleaning access from outside the coop.

BTW, I went into a slump like that after I finished some exams. I thought I'd be all 'phew, thank goodness that's over" and perk up. But I went down instead of up. I think it's a natural reaction to all that adrenaline/something biological. There's a period of stasis before you pick up after the stress.

I find having my animals a good motivator to get me out of bed. I don't have the option of continuing to laze about. They HAVE to get their dinners, houses looked after, etc. You can ignore washing the car, you can't ignore your dependent pets. And they make you feel a bit better when they run up to get their treats.
 
jvls1942 said:
I just came all soaking wet, no it is not raining, it is humid out there.
I set up the forms for the first pour. then wrestled the concrete mixer up next to the pile of cement bags on the pallet. plugged it in and ,,,,,nothing. pushed the reset, nothing..
this is a fairly new machine, been stored dry for a couple of years, but the motor should still work I would think.
I did what I usually do when a problem hits me when I am all hot, sweaty and aggravated. I walked away.
tomorrow I will go at it with a fresh mind.

there must be a football game on ..
........jiminwisc......
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I get thoroughly pissed off, stomp into the house, make me a Brandy & Coke, and turn on HGTV or Food Network, then lay on the couch steaming about what I did wrong, running it through my brain over and over again. So much for a good night's sleep. Always having good intentions of getting the job done, but sometimes we are our worst enemy, missing something, beating ourselves up. --BB
 
Bobby Basham said:
Wow, are they very intricate to build? It's neat when you can keep your hands busy. It keeps the mind sharp. I like working on a smaller scale with electronics and repairing these old beasts.

My run is actually done, just needs to be screened in (top, sides and outside perimeter) with the rolls of 1/4" hardware cloth that I have, and need to construct a wide door for the entry way next to the brick pavers at the observation deck.

I probably still have about $500 worth of wood stacked in the garage, enough to finish my coop and side patio deck, just collecting dust.

Me thinks the underlying issue of procrastination of the coop is becoming a "New Parent" with babies to raise. Why build a coop when you don't have babies? Works for me...LOL!

Just say a prayer now and then and I'll come out of this rut. --BB
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You just have to get out there and get started! Start tomorrow, you will love it!
 
jvls1942 said:
I used to make bread, dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls.
my first job out of the army was making donuts at a Dixie Creme shop.
I made a lot of dough at that job..
......jiminwisc.........
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I worked in a doughnut shop as a teenager. Got fired when i reported the manager for stealing the girls tips. Little did i know the owner was his father! I got a job i loved in a pet store after that
 
potato chip said:
Ok, there's a motivator to get your coop up and bring in some girls. You'd be amazed at how quickly they can weed a garden for you.
I hadn't done anything to my raised vege beds in some time. I sent my girls in and they tilled it all, weeded it all, did all the work. (I then had to fence it to keep them out, but they did a good job at helping me resurrect it for replanting.)

As for coop design, I'd build a box, with good access for cleaning. Make all of the internal layout removable. If something doesn't work, you can change it. You've committed to nothing.

I have 2 coops, one has attached nest boxes, the other is just a room and the nest boxes are removable. I'd like the attached nest boxes gone and I'm thinking of removing them. All they really do is impede cleaning from the nest box door. If they were removable, I'd have better cleaning access from outside the coop.

BTW, I went into a slump like that after I finished some exams. I thought I'd be all 'phew, thank goodness that's over" and perk up. But I went down instead of up. I think it's a natural reaction to all that adrenaline/something biological. There's a period of stasis before you pick up after the stress.

I find having my animals a good motivator to get me out of bed. I don't have the option of continuing to laze about. They HAVE to get their dinners, houses looked after, etc. You can ignore washing the car, you can't ignore your dependent pets. And they make you feel a bit better when they run up to get their treats.
Click to expand...
 
So i got the back door made today. And it is painted and ready to be installed. The bottom board for the divider is painted and in place. The floor is nearly finished, i just need to cut a couple more small pieces of trim for the sides. The other boards for the divider are painted. I installed the end boards in the space under the roof after i painted them. And i cut a hole in the wall for the vent and installed it. One vent left to install. I measured the roof and i will cut two boards to go on either side of the skylight to divert water tomorrow. Things are coming together!
 
good looking up morning,
don't stare at the sun..
when we were kids, we used to stare, it always made me sneeze. maybe that is why I am going blind today, eh?

I did not go outside yet today,
I think the breaker in the garage tripped, that is why the mixer doesn't work.
I am holding back, because if that isn't the problem, then I really have a problem. this way I can hold out hope for a little longer .
I have a single batch mixer I can use.
a little more manual than the big mixer.
I have 44 bags (batches) to mix..

One way or the other, I will get er done..

.......jiminwisc......
 
I was late getting up today, my phone alarm not working. Did some measuring , painting and cutting wood. The back door fits! I have not tried the front door. I decided to leave a space over the back door to cover with hardware cloth for a vent. I will hinge a piece of plywood to cover it in winter. 20170821_120502.jpg
 
good idea with the vent over the door.
I bit the bullet and went out and opened up
the cover over the electrical switches etc.
I took the on/off switch out and tested it.
seemed OK.
the reset switch would not stay switched ON
in messing around, I accidently touched the
bottom of the motor jacket. it was HOT.
hmmm, bro inlaw just happened to call just
then. said it sounded like the capacitor was bad, to him.
I had to agree, since he is smarter than I am.
I am going to call Etco Electric Supply to see if they can test the cap. and if they have a replacement one.
I hope so. easy fix, and not too expensive.

in the meantime I am dealing with two potential puppy buyers.
One is texas, one in minnesota.
....jiminwisc......
 

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