TRMFAM
Chirping
Well, almost...we have our chickens on order and we pick them up June 4th.
Almost finished with the coop and will post some pics...approximately 8 X 8. I built a nesting box opening and a poop tray with opening into the coop and have my automagic door opener / closer on order.
I have not started the run yet but have it drawn up with materials list, cuts, etc. I am building the run from 2X2 square steel tubing in sections and bolting the sections together for a 14X16' size with an "air lock" double entry and wrapping in 6' chain link with aviary netting over the top. Why? We might be moving soon and I wanted to be able to disassemble and move with us...plus, I have always enjoyed working with metal and welding. After working on this coop for several weeks wood seems so hard to work with! LOL! I know most of you will say metal is harder...just what you are used to I suppose.
We have never had chickens before but have ordered the following:
Black Australorp - 4
Buff Orpington - 4
Golden Buff / Golden Comet - 4
Easter Egger - 3
Silkies - 4
We are going to pick up the chickens in person and just can't wait.
We have been planning this for 6 months now and I have read several books and lurked on the forum for a while...I try to preface any posts with "I don't really know what I am talking about but have read..." Please don't hesitate to correct my book knowledge with real world experience.
So nervous to get the babies...worried something will go wrong. I built the brooder with 40 sq ft and have a sweeter heater, water, food, electrolytes, ACV, pine shavings, etc. I think I have everything set and ready but be ready for a nervous family making urgent posts when they arrive and I encounter any issues...I thank you now for your help!
Oh, I also built and automatic waterer from a 5 gallon bucket, nipples and this valve and a fitting to connect to garden hose. Pretty easy to setup and I will try and put together a "how to" once I have everything completed (coop, run).
Thanks again and sorry for the long post.
Edit, sorry, I missed a few things on the template:
Other pets: 3 dogs (German Shepherd, Cairn Terrier, Yorky-Pooh), 2 cats, 1 rabbit (Holland Lop), 1 Donkey and 1 miniature horse! Phew...
Hobbies: I am an IT Project Manager with 3 daughters and an amazingly understanding wife! We do all kinds of hobbies, competitive shooting (IDPA, 3 Gun, etc.), ATV's - we have a section of sand dunes in Oklahoma called Little Sahara (check it out, way cool), hiking / camping, working out, geocaching, tinkering with just about everything. My wife says I have serious "Tim the Toolman" complex.
Almost finished with the coop and will post some pics...approximately 8 X 8. I built a nesting box opening and a poop tray with opening into the coop and have my automagic door opener / closer on order.
I have not started the run yet but have it drawn up with materials list, cuts, etc. I am building the run from 2X2 square steel tubing in sections and bolting the sections together for a 14X16' size with an "air lock" double entry and wrapping in 6' chain link with aviary netting over the top. Why? We might be moving soon and I wanted to be able to disassemble and move with us...plus, I have always enjoyed working with metal and welding. After working on this coop for several weeks wood seems so hard to work with! LOL! I know most of you will say metal is harder...just what you are used to I suppose.
We have never had chickens before but have ordered the following:
Black Australorp - 4
Buff Orpington - 4
Golden Buff / Golden Comet - 4
Easter Egger - 3
Silkies - 4
We are going to pick up the chickens in person and just can't wait.
We have been planning this for 6 months now and I have read several books and lurked on the forum for a while...I try to preface any posts with "I don't really know what I am talking about but have read..." Please don't hesitate to correct my book knowledge with real world experience.
So nervous to get the babies...worried something will go wrong. I built the brooder with 40 sq ft and have a sweeter heater, water, food, electrolytes, ACV, pine shavings, etc. I think I have everything set and ready but be ready for a nervous family making urgent posts when they arrive and I encounter any issues...I thank you now for your help!
Oh, I also built and automatic waterer from a 5 gallon bucket, nipples and this valve and a fitting to connect to garden hose. Pretty easy to setup and I will try and put together a "how to" once I have everything completed (coop, run).
Thanks again and sorry for the long post.
Edit, sorry, I missed a few things on the template:
Other pets: 3 dogs (German Shepherd, Cairn Terrier, Yorky-Pooh), 2 cats, 1 rabbit (Holland Lop), 1 Donkey and 1 miniature horse! Phew...
Hobbies: I am an IT Project Manager with 3 daughters and an amazingly understanding wife! We do all kinds of hobbies, competitive shooting (IDPA, 3 Gun, etc.), ATV's - we have a section of sand dunes in Oklahoma called Little Sahara (check it out, way cool), hiking / camping, working out, geocaching, tinkering with just about everything. My wife says I have serious "Tim the Toolman" complex.
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