Helpful hints for building coops

[aart]

Still no eggs, but....
Fried Chicken and Coleslaw....
...MmmMmmmMMM!!!
Now time for a nap!

 

[jvls1942]

Still no eggs, but....
Fried Chicken and Coleslaw....
...MmmMmmmMMM!!!
Now time for a nap!

pretty drastic measure taken for no eggs..

 

[Birdinhand]

I'm in full on war mode with the rats, somehow things feel like they are on the verge of WWIII, I think word has gotten out and they are coming in droves, the earth around the hole is getting increasingly downtrodden, which can not possibly be from just one rat. so I think I'm going to dig out the coop and lay down hardware cloth and secure it to the perimeter. it's going to be a PITA either way. concrete is heavy, the coop is far from anywhere I can unload it and then there is the reality that someday, it will have to be removed, which will involve going up a steep slope, so either the much older me or some poor future homeowner would be faced with removing several tons of concrete. The hardware cloth has it's own draw backs, won't last as long under ground, is sharp and nasty to work with but I can install it no matter how cold it gets and it will never have to be removed. I use zip toes every 4 inches for the seams, I leave a 4" overlap and I secure the perimeter to the posts and slats around the edge with a trim piece to keep the seam nice and tight. please heed this warning and secure the floor of your coop before rats figure out how to get in, there is almost no end to the effort they are willing to make to get in once they've have a chance to taste the unlimited supply of feed... keeping them out from the beginning is way easier than trying to get rid of them once they find a way in.

 

[jvls1942]

remember the old saying: if you see one rat, there are a hundred that you didn't see.
If a fat rat can put his head through a hole, he can get his fat belly through it also..they are like furry snakes..
It is possible to get rid of all the rats, but you have to keep at it until you are sure you got the last one. If you miss one, the problem will persist.. btdt

 

[aart]

pretty drastic measure taken for no eggs..

Nah.....not my chicken.
I couldn't fry a chicken to save my life, my reward for grocery shopping is a treat from the deli.

 

[jvls1942]

we have chickens in the freezer, but Annie also buys deli chicken. either fried by the piece, or broasted. sometimes bbq'd.
sometimes the price is so low that you can't raise one for the price of a fully cooked one.
to me they taste just fine.
I think I have the ammeter problem figured out.. I fried it when I hooked up the battery cables wrong. (I hope)..a new ammeter is less than $20.oo..
...jiminwisc.....

 

[aart]

we have chickens in the freezer, but Annie also buys deli chicken. either fried by the piece, or broasted. sometimes bbq'd.
sometimes the price is so low that you can't raise one for the price of a fully cooked one.
to me they taste just fine.
I think I have the ammeter problem figured out.. I fried it when I hooked up the battery cables wrong. (I hope)..a new ammeter is less than $20.oo..
...jiminwisc.....

About the only chicken I buy is deli fried.
Have fried a few multi meters.

 

[NewBoots]

pretty drastic measure taken for no eggs..

Hehe, I was thinking the same thing!

 

[NewBoots]

Though I did make some buttermilk southern fried boneless thighs a few weeks ago. They were really delicious, the only bad part is dealing with the left over used oil.

 

[CapricornFarm]

My latest wall hanging..