Henny Hilton

[Okiesawyers]

This is how all this got started folks.... A Neighbor kid gave me 2 young hens 4 weeks ago, (he had bought them for his girlfriend.) And of course the romance only lasted a short couple weeks, So he asks me if I wanted them, and I had been kicking around the idea of getting some chickens so I took them. I started on coop building, After 3-weeks and almost having too taking out a 2nd. mortgage from the cost of this thing, I have created the Henny hilton as my wife calls it.

It's all steel construction inside and out (minus the floor and chicken boxes). the front side shown in the pic. has a walk through that goes under the house which is lined with 1' expanded metal welded to the 4 outter legs of the house and burried 1ft. in the ground. The whole perimitter is lined with electric fence 6" off the ground 6" out from the pen and house. I still have more ideas to predator proof it further, for I live on a creek and we have PLENTY of coyote, Fox & coons... I now have 12 Guineas. 4 hens. 1 Rooster. all at the age of 3-months to 6-months.. If anyone has any good advise what else this house might need feel free to comment. Hey my wife hasn't killed me yet over it might as well add to it..

 

[coolcanoechic]

All I can say is WOWEEEEEE!!!!!!! Nice and sturdy! Any pics of the inside?

 

[Okiesawyers]

I'll get some this evenning. I do have one problem. I guess the chickens & Guineas don't like the interior design

I don't think they have roosted inside the house but once.. They all roost outside. Could this be because of the heat ? Or have they just snobbed my hard work..

 

[coolcanoechic]

I'll get some this evenning. I do have one problem. I guess the chickens & Guineas don't like the interior design

I don't think they have roosted inside the house but once.. They all roost outside. Could this be because of the heat ? Or have they just snobbed my hard work..

They need to be taught that the inside is where they will sleep at night. Bring them in just before dusk and close them inside. After a few days, they should get the hang of it. Another thought....How high are your roosts? If they are too high, they may opt to sleep on the floor, but give them some time in that regard as well. They will learn eventually.

 

[Okiesawyers]

Ok I'll do it.. I have roosting bars at all levels in side. I thought they might need to be shut up in there for a couple of nights..


Thankyou much..

 

[inge]

Love your coop.

 

[Stumpy]

Wow! Very nice. About the steel construction -- excuse my ignorance, but how is it put together? Welding? Screws?

 

[Okiesawyers]

Wow! Very nice. About the steel construction -- excuse my ignorance, but how is it put together? Welding? Screws?

Stumpy it's all welded... I'm a welder/steel fabricator for my second job here at the house. but most of my welding and manufacturing jobs is in shop build, so this was my first actuall structure I have built on my own. After this build I told everyone I'll stick to small shop fabrication and welding, I didn't like welding up a building.. Thanks everyone for the compliments on my Henny Hilton...

 

[RonC]

If your weather is like mine I don't know that I would lock them inside unless you've got A/C in there too. Might wind up with baked chicken. Nice setup you have there.

 

[Okiesawyers]

If your weather is like mine I don't know that I would lock them inside unless you've got A/C in there too. Might wind up with baked chicken. Nice setup you have there.

Ron, I really think that's the reason They're avoiding the inside. My wife and I has talked about it and decided not too force them inside right now. earlier I did look out and some of the Guineas was standing in the door way, so they're familiar with the inside. Nights has been running around 80-84 degrees here...