Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

Thank you for your info. I will go with the 2X4 with a "T" support below.

that is a good choice.

 

[Sally PB]

I went with a 2x4, edge up. I've seen my chickens hunker down and keep their feet warm with their feathers, no problem. I'd read about chickens getting a breast blister from their keel bone rubbing on wider roosts, so that's what made me decide to put it narrow side up.

 

[jvls1942]

I went with a 2x4, edge up. I've seen my chickens hunker down and keep their feet warm with their feathers, no problem. I'd read about chickens getting a breast blister from their keel bone rubbing on wider roosts, so that's what made me decide to put it narrow side up.

I never heard about those blisters. but I can understand it I guess.
birds have a tendon in their leg that clamps their toes around a branch without exerting any force from the bird. i imagine chickens have the same tendon? so a narrow edged roost would be normal .

 

[Sally PB]

I never heard about those blisters. but I can understand it I guess.

I learned about breast blisters here on BYC. People have posted a picture of a chicken's breast area, around the keel bone, asking, what is this thing sticking out of my chicken? It was a finger-sized bit of pus from the keel bone rubbing on the roost. Not really common, I guess, but it convinced me that narrow side up was better for my situation.

 

[jvls1942]

neither my first nor my second planting of corn came up. yesterday I picked up all the tools and cleared the patch for plowing. naturally, shortly after i did that, it began to sprinkle. so i put the tractor into the garage and waited for the rain. it never rained, but it sprinkled for a couple of hours until dark.
today i will drag the weeds down. i don't care if it is a little wet,. as long as the tires don't spin i will drag
my late planting of bib lettuce and carrots are coming along nicely. so far the deer have not bothered the raised beds. they are sleeping in the front yard often.