Illinois...

[SnootyHen]

@SnootyHen

We made a temp movable run to hold chicks during the day and then bring them into the garage at night to sleep in the brooder.

It's basically a second hand play yard with something on top for rain & hawk protection. It wouldn't work for night time predators. It really helps keep down the cleaning needs. Just move to fresh grass each day. It can also be set up in minutes and stored when not needed.

Cute! Is it hawk and dog proof? My ladies are pretty big but definitely still easy pickings for any kind of predator. I think I really just need to come up with a plan B for the whole thing because if this coop I ordered truly is another 4-6 weeks, these girls will be laying eggs before they have a coop. I just called the company now since the emails stopped after a few this morning and the girl I need to talk to is on another call and the one handling the damaged pieces claim is out today.

 

[Molpet]

Wanton wild woman is outside of the poultry yard tempting my toms. Her nest or poults must have gotten flooded out. She's as goofy as the tame turkeys. She could fly over the 4 ft electric fence she is laying by.

 

[Faraday40]

Cute! Is it hawk and dog proof?

Depends on the dog. It would not stop a large dog. Since I don't anchor it, a dog could knock it over. Our yard is fenced, so I don't get dogs back there- except for my own. ....The cats are too afraid to enter my yard. LOL It would stop a hawk. I've had hawks sit on top or walk around the perimeter (terrorizing the birds inside) but they never got in.

It's not a permanent solution, but a quick "I need it today" fix. it's fantastic during that period when chicks are too immature for coop but too big for brooder. I use it for chicken intros or when I need to separate a bird. Just something to keep on hand if you happen to see one at a garage sale.

 

[SnootyHen]

Depends on the dog. It would not stop a large dog. Since I don't anchor it, a dog could knock it over. Our yard is fenced, so I don't get dogs back there- except for my own. ....The cats are too afraid to enter my yard. LOL It would stop a hawk. I've had hawks sit on top or walk around the perimeter (terrorizing the birds inside) but they never got in.

It's not a permanent solution, but a quick "I need it today" fix. it's fantastic during that period when chicks are too immature for coop but too big for brooder. I use it for chicken intros or when I need to separate a bird. Just something to keep on hand if you happen to see one at a garage sale.

I have 3 huskies and they are "enthusiastic" to say the least. LOL!! I have a small coop someone is loaning me that I moved the girls to once they started flying out of the brooder but they're outgrowing that too and really just need to be in a real coop. Plus I need to not have to vacuum my office 3 times a day.

 

[Justso]

I have a shed already for garden stuff and kind of considered just transforming it but we'll need a run too since I have dogs and there's hawks and coyotes and everything that wants to eat chickens here, too. Also, technically, we have some restrictions on size for chicken coops in my town although not many people follow them. I don't want to go way over the top and give the neighbors a reason to poke their noses in if you know what I mean.

The coop/run I paid for wasn't cheap either! I'm sure I can have one built for less but I just don't have the ability to do it myself. I have a yard/handyman that helps me with some projects and he has chickens too. He offered to let me use the plans for his but this is his busiest season and it would probably be a month before he could build me something himself. Maybe longer.

I think you could easily add a cattle panel run to the shed. Many times these are built as hoop coops. for you it would just be four pieces of wood, a cattle panel, hardware and chicken wire. Relatively quick and easy job.

 

[BReeder!]

I have a shed already for garden stuff and kind of considered just transforming it but we'll need a run too since I have dogs and there's hawks and coyotes and everything that wants to eat chickens here, too. Also, technically, we have some restrictions on size for chicken coops in my town although not many people follow them. I don't want to go way over the top and give the neighbors a reason to poke their noses in if you know what I mean.

The coop/run I paid for wasn't cheap either! I'm sure I can have one built for less but I just don't have the ability to do it myself. I have a yard/handyman that helps me with some projects and he has chickens too. He offered to let me use the plans for his but this is his busiest season and it would probably be a month before he could build me something himself. Maybe longer.

I vote for the shed conversion. That's what I did and I love it. Our shed is 12'x10' and I only converted the back 4'x10' into the coop and have the front 8'x10' for storage of yard/garden stuff and poultry supplies. I also included a storage loft over the coop section. I even carved out a section below the roosts/poop boards for a duck house. I added a window for light and ventilation, sliding pop doors for the chickens and ducks, nest boxes, and a barn door type sliding human door to get into the coop section. I used scrap lumber for the most part, but it still came out nice. With new lumber it would have been awesome. I did most of the work in just one weekend, so not very time consuming.
As for the run, I'd recommend a simple wood fence covered with wire (cattle panel, chicken wire, welded wire, construction mesh, etc.) to keep the dogs out and the chickens in. Hawks can be kept out with netting. Go with a large gap net like 2"x2" rather than the cheap bird netting at big box hardware stores that has 1/2" or 1" gaps, which do not let leaves or heavy wet snow pass through easily.

 

[BReeder!]

Today was full of work meetings scattered throughout the day and I had the kids for over 2 hours while DW went for a driving lesson with my sister. DW is finally going to drive! She's 31 and never had a license. In her defense we both grew up in the city and didn't need to drive. I didn't get a license until I was 26 and she was pregnant with our first child. I owned a house before I owned a car. Since we moved (second house now) to the far suburb of Plainfield three years ago driving has been a must. With DS going to be starting school in the fall (if we can get ahold of the darn school... that's another story about COVID-19 interupting things) she needs to be able to get around while I'm not home. She apparently did awesome in her first driving session though.

My garden is flooded still, so I didn't get any yard work done. At least it's down to just very large puddles rather than a pond extending all across the back of the yard like it was yesterday. I'll get out there later this week and get the rest of our seeds and transplants planted. I need to also get the run cleaned up and add a layer of mulch. Speaking of mulch, I grabbed a new shovel at Walmart today to dig out edges around our trees to create neat circles to fill with mulch also.

Chickens, ducks and turkeys are doing well. The youngest chickens are all in the dog crate these days, which has been moved into the shed due to the rain. It's a large crate, so there's plenty of room for them for a few weeks until they are ready to go in with the big girls. The quail are hanging out too, but not doing much - freezer camp is in their near future once I have the time. I'm still hoping to start with rabbits after the quail are gone.

Lastly, I grabbed chicken feed the other day at Farm and Fleet in Romeoville for $10 per 50lb bag. I'm not sure it's still on sale, but worth checking. I also grabbed a 20lb bag of quality bird seed for less than $7 to use as treats for the birds. The ducks particularly like treats, so I needed to get something for DS to give them. They come right up on the patio looking for treats sometimes. I've been letting him toss cheerios or bits of bread to them. These are not the best options by far for treats, so I'm thinking mixed seeds and grain is a better option.

 

[NotAFarm]

Frozen peas or corn are good duck treats

 

[BReeder!]

Frozen peas or corn are good duck treats

I do give frozen peas from time to time. There tends to always be a bag in the freezer that's open so I just grab a handful and give it to the ducks.

 

[Faraday40]

Someone brought us dinner and gave us canned carrots & peas. Are those OK for chicken treats or too high in salt?

I was very thankful for the meal and the thought behind it. I don't want to sound like a snob....
but I can't stomach the taste of canned veggies.