Homesteaders

[shortgrass]

In a pinch, you can always go get a doghouse and a kennel and lock them in the doghouse at night until you get a proper coop/run built.... Or you can get one of those little prebuolt coops with runs online, I think amazon should have some,.. or at a feed store maybe...

Coop, run,.... Covering thecrun really just depends on predators... If you have birds of prey or climbers, like coons... You'll benefit with it covered, especially if you leave home during the day... Coop, plan on 3-5 sq ft per bird, so if you have 3, you'd need a coop at least 3'x3', 5x5 being better..... A way to get water and feed daily without a hassle, and ventilation for the coop...

Don't panic it will all work out.... I "accidentally" ordered way more chicks for fall, and am now having to throw together another coop out of a camper

It happens, they're tough. They can even live temporarily in the bathtub, its been done

 

[Raech]

In a pinch, you can always go get a doghouse and a kennel and lock them in the doghouse at night until you get a proper coop/run built.... Or you can get one of those little prebuolt coops with runs online, I think amazon should have some,.. or at a feed store maybe...

Coop, run,.... Covering thecrun really just depends on predators... If you have birds of prey or climbers, like coons... You'll benefit with it covered, especially if you leave home during the day... Coop, plan on 3-5 sq ft per bird, so if you have 3, you'd need a coop at least 3'x3', 5x5 being better..... A way to get water and feed daily without a hassle, and ventilation for the coop...

Don't panic it will all work out.... I "accidentally" ordered way more chicks for fall, and am now having to throw together another coop out of a camper

It happens, they're tough. They can even live temporarily in the bathtub, its been done

I would be DEAD, Hubby is upset about them moving to our backyard. We have coons, stray cats(neighbors cat too), cougars where close earlier in the summer. I was thinking pvc frame with a peak roof design, then thought hog panels would be easier but 1 of the hens is an escape artist already, so I guess PCV will be the way to go, hopeing she brings down the rest of the supplies to finish the coop, it is bare wood right now with a wood roof.

 

[Raech]

Okay, calm down, friend! There is always a solution!

Building a run onto the coop your friend is bringing isn't too hard. A friend of mine has a very small backyard and a short fence. She used a dog kennel as her main coop for her chickens.

I'd recommend marking where exactly you can put a run that used your small space more effectively. Put a couple wooden stakes into the ground and string to mark it.

If you have a picture of your backyard, I might be able to help draw something up for you! It won't be a large, fancy run but it will give you a general idea of what size your run can be without taking up all of your yard.

As for making it predator proof, 1/4" wire is ideal. Staking in rebar every 4-6 inches can protect against predators digging their way into the coop.

I hope some of this info helps!

My phone is off until I get paid so I cant send a picture yet, landlord said no digging for the garden so I assume that goes for everythingg, if I put it in the bottom left corner and use the chainlink fence post I could do a 9'x9' run with a pine(ish) tree from the neighbors side and the privacy hedge from the back neighbors as wind/weather blocks. Most of our weather comes from the backyard toward the house, the other fence corner opens to get into the other tenants yard so I dont want to block it.

 

[Loc20chick]

My chickens have slowed down on laying, Today only collected 3 eggs out of 8 laying hens. Last year they laid all through the winter.

 

[KlopKlop]

My chickens have slowed down on laying, Today only collected 3 eggs out of 8 laying hens. Last year they laid all through the winter.

Have you added supplemental lighting? When days get short they slow down plus it is molting time!

 

[Loc20chick]

Have you added supplemental lighting? When days get short they slow down plus it is molting time!

It's still too early for that, sunset here is a little past 7pm and sunrise still early 6:30am

 

[KlopKlop]

It's still too early for that, sunset here is a little past 7pm and sunrise still early 6:30am

I've had my light on timers to keep 15 hours of light for a month or so now. If you wait to long and productivity drops, adding light will not bring it back much.

 

[rancher hicks]

ttfn

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

Would not chickens enjoy the pulp from apple juice?

 

[KlopKlop]

Would not chickens enjoy the pulp from apple juice?

Very much they would! I give mine all the apple peels and bits from my canning plus plenty of whole ground falls