I am building my first coop and run combination and part of the deal with DH is that the chickens will not tie us down. I want to be able to leave the chickens on their own for at least a week at a time, 2 weeks with an occasional check in by a human. I searched the threads and found one where this poor woman missed her sisters wedding because everyone told her what a horrible idea it was. So I have read all that now I am hoping to hear from those of you that are set up to leave them on their own.
My coop and run will be one in the same, only 3 walls open to the run. Lots of concrete and Hardware cloth. It will be as close to fort knox as I can make it I am not worried about the raccoons getting them. I am planning on 22 gallon Brute trash cans (could go 35) for the feed and water, the water will have horizontal nipples or cups and heated with a stock tank heater and thermocube in winter. The feed will be raised off the ground and accessed by the chickens pecking at a device under the cans which will drop food as they want it. Nesting boxes will be roll out boxes with an outside access, egg area will be heated by seedling matt and another thermocube. Of course I will test everything out and know how long things last long before I ever leave them alone. What am I missing? What are you doing? Remember, new coop so I can do almost anything now I would rather get it right from the beginning. Thanks everyone I look forward to hearing your experiences for what works for you.
My coop and run will be one in the same, only 3 walls open to the run. Lots of concrete and Hardware cloth. It will be as close to fort knox as I can make it I am not worried about the raccoons getting them. I am planning on 22 gallon Brute trash cans (could go 35) for the feed and water, the water will have horizontal nipples or cups and heated with a stock tank heater and thermocube in winter. The feed will be raised off the ground and accessed by the chickens pecking at a device under the cans which will drop food as they want it. Nesting boxes will be roll out boxes with an outside access, egg area will be heated by seedling matt and another thermocube. Of course I will test everything out and know how long things last long before I ever leave them alone. What am I missing? What are you doing? Remember, new coop so I can do almost anything now I would rather get it right from the beginning. Thanks everyone I look forward to hearing your experiences for what works for you.