Hey Gang! Whatcha think of my plans and Rooster issue?

[TonySorrento]

You're doing an awesome job! I'm having so much fun with my babies. What breed is the one in your pic, close to the BO black and standing by itself. It's a beauty.

Thank you, Kab

If you are talking about the bigger chick, that is an Autralorp ... I have 3 that are 2 weeks old ... and I think what you called a BO is a Light Brahma ... the BO is the darker gold colored chic...

I think the soft netting should be fine.. Only thing i have to say.... Is you better get a hard roof with good supports before about october... Knowing how the snow falls here where we live lol I highly suggest clear vinal roofing...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/debtfreechicken-coop

They used the roofing... It helps keep heat out in summer, But in winter the suns rays, Help warm it like a green house affect...

I will hard roof it either this fall or next spring ....

That's the first thing I thought of, too, - snow in winter will collapse the soft netting.

I hope you're building good roof supports, Tony, so you can install those corrugated panels real fast come December.

I have corrugated fiberglass panels on my run. I have intense solar radiation at this altitude (7500') and the clear ones let in so much sunlight in summer, the pen cooks. As I added on to the run, I found the white, opaque panels were the best color, letting in maximum light in winter while providing some shade in summer. They hold up very well under snow load, too, but I rake the snow off with one of those roof rakes.

Thanks for the info, az ...for the roof supports I was going to do 2x6s every 2 feet .. sound ok?


here is the run ...nothing left but the roof/netting ... tomorrow I cut the door in the coop and release the hounds!!

 

[highpointfarm]

 

[azygous]

2x6's are more than adequate! I wish I had that run! It's really great-looking!

 

[TonySorrento]

Thank you all

So I let the dogs .... er.... chickens out into the pen today .... not all went tho .... lol ...it was hilarious seeing them poking their heads out ... anyway .... here they are!

 

[azygous]

What a handsome flock! I know they'll love their new run! I bet they have some nice holes dug all over in no time at all!

I give the grass about two weeks, three, tops.

 

[TonySorrento]

What a handsome flock! I know they'll love their new run! I bet they have some nice holes dug all over in no time at all!

I give the grass about two weeks, three, tops.

That is why I am trucking in rough sand as soon as they clear the grass I figured I would let them enjoy it before I lay the sand down

 

[highpointfarm]

I dont think it will last 2 weeks lol

 

[azygous]

Long range planning! Sand rocks! Keep a couple cat box scoopers hung inside the run and a bucket, and pay the kids a small allowance to keep the run scooped, and you won't have any flies at all in summer.

I hope you've located a nice composting pit closeby. The sand mixed in with the composting poop makes for great soil augmentation. Carrots grow especially well in it.

 

[TonySorrento]

Building an 8x4 compost bin today

 

[Den in Penn]

Been watching your thread, going good so far. With the closer pictures of your run brought something I have a question about. Does the run have a buried barrier to keep them in and the predators out?