I'm never gonna get an egg!!!

[apryl29]

OMG, $20 for a tarp? I guess I'm cheap these days. If you have a Harbor Freight store anywhere near you, they sell tarps and stuff really cheap.

No, didn't really get hit with it here. We did have some high winds for a couple of days and the temps are frigid, but never got the flurries we were promised. Several days ago we got some tiny sleet that lasted all of about 5 minutes.

Since I haven't had chickens before now I really don't quite know what to expect. I plan to open the door to the run everyday unless it is extreme weather. I'm more concerned with lightning -- it terrifies me to go out during those storms. The run has fiberglass panels on top except for about 1-1/2 feet along one edge, so they will still get rain and snow, but hopefully they are fairly well protected. This cold weather, and even the wind, didn't keep them inside. I really don't wnat them to spend all day in the coop as it will surely be extra poopy, lol.

Speaking of poop - when I was cleaning the coop today I had a coffee can full of straw/poop I'd picked off the floor. I was going out the door and lost my balance. My arm went up in the air as I twisted and I threw poopy straw all over my head. hahaha I really need to build myself a couple of steps.



hahaha so funny -- they do pick at anything that stands out. When I put bag balm on the chickens the other day, I tired to make sure I didn't leave them too gooey. Well, the next day I saw one of the barred rocks with a white duck feather stuck to her head. She looked like one of those Vegas showgirls.

Actually, the one I got as from Harbor freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/8-ft-x-10-ft-mesh-all-purposeweather-resistant-tarp-60577.html
It's the mesh kind. I originally got one for the front run b/c there was no protection from the sun/ heat in the summer. It's mesh so the wind/ rain and some sun can get through it. I had a 20% off coupon so it was $20 instead of $25. I probably could have used a plain one, but I didn't want to have to deal with the wind catching it and blowing it all around/ being noisy and all that.. plus I wanted it to allow rain through to wash all the poop away. It does seem to block the snow fairly well though.
I didn't bother going out to the coop today (it's at my parent's house).. I'll go out later tonight and see how they're doing. I filled the water dishes before I left last night. I noticed that their coop was warmer than outside so I think they'll be ok. I'm worried about tonight. It's supposed to be 10 degrees overnight (supposedly). I know they can handle colder, but I'm still going to worry.
We're getting 4-6 more inches of snow today. It's horrible & cold (20 degrees). I miss having warm feet.
LOL @ the poop can thing. I use a 5 gallon bucket w/ a handle so I don't have to empty it every day. It sits outside and is currently filled w/ snow too... I have poop boards filled w/ PDZ and just scoop it out w/ a little cat litter scoop.
I have the same problem with the bag balm! Last time I put it on him he got a white feather stuck to his head and he kept shaking it to get it off. I ended up having to reach in and grab it off. It was stuck pretty good. Lol

 

[Crooked Chicken]

And I forgot... last night my little llama decided to do a dance in front of the trail cam. I have to pull the card this evening to see if it caught her. Chances are she was too close, but if not I'll be sure to share them. lol

You have a llama? Need pics! Aren't they supposed to be pretty good at keeping predators away?

You okay? Besides the straw and poop on your head.

Yeah, I'm ok. My body always aches... and especially after doing some major weed pulling in my bulb planter today, mulch, amendments.

Actually, the one I got as from Harbor freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/8-ft-x-10-ft-mesh-all-purposeweather-resistant-tarp-60577.html
It's the mesh kind. I originally got one for the front run b/c there was no protection from the sun/ heat in the summer. It's mesh so the wind/ rain and some sun can get through it. I had a 20% off coupon so it was $20 instead of $25. I probably could have used a plain one, but I didn't want to have to deal with the wind catching it and blowing it all around/ being noisy and all that.. plus I wanted it to allow rain through to wash all the poop away. It does seem to block the snow fairly well though.
I didn't bother going out to the coop today (it's at my parent's house).. I'll go out later tonight and see how they're doing. I filled the water dishes before I left last night. I noticed that their coop was warmer than outside so I think they'll be ok. I'm worried about tonight. It's supposed to be 10 degrees overnight (supposedly). I know they can handle colder, but I'm still going to worry.
We're getting 4-6 more inches of snow today. It's horrible & cold (20 degrees). I miss having warm feet.
LOL @ the poop can thing. I use a 5 gallon bucket w/ a handle so I don't have to empty it every day. It sits outside and is currently filled w/ snow too... I have poop boards filled w/ PDZ and just scoop it out w/ a little cat litter scoop.
I have the same problem with the bag balm! Last time I put it on him he got a white feather stuck to his head and he kept shaking it to get it off. I ended up having to reach in and grab it off. It was stuck pretty good. Lol

OK, I've only bought the cheap "noisy" tarps there. I think they're gonna be okay, but yeah -- I worry too probably more than I should.

I use PDZ on the poop boards too. I just use the small can inside for convenience. I have a large cat litter bucket outside as I'm saving it for a friend of mine. Usually I just go out in the yard and broadcast it.

 

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

Oh,laugh while you can this is your future too!

LOL!!! Bless Lu Lu's little silly heart!!! I'm already experiencing the special little darlings!! I went out to the coop to give them their evening treat. I'm looking around and I'm missing a Fav boy and girl. I look at the doggie door where I made a split canvas door and sewed metal disks in the bottom of so the wind couldn't blow it open easily and saw the two missing Favs. They had just seen three other chicken come through the fabric door. Do you think they tried to come in? Nooooo...they stood there chirping for their friends...so I pull up one side of the flap and in they marched. I just shook my head...and said OK dumb and dumber...you need to figure that out!

 

[Chickassan]

You're going to be lifting that flap till the day you die.

LOL!!! Bless Lu Lu's little silly heart!!! I'm already experiencing the special little darlings!! I went out to the coop to give them their evening treat. I'm looking around and I'm missing a Fav boy and girl. I look at the doggie door where I made a split canvas door and sewed metal disks in the bottom of so the wind couldn't blow it open easily and saw the two missing Favs. They had just seen three other chicken come through the fabric door. Do you think they tried to come in? Nooooo...they stood there chirping for their friends...so I pull up one side of the flap and in they marched. I just shook my head...and said OK dumb and dumber...you need to figure that out!

 

[Chickassan]

@Crooked Chicken, i know this is way early but i got to ask. When little Eve starts laying do you think it would be possible to buy a couple eggs off you? I'd like to add some Eves to the family or possibly Elmers if the boat floats that way. I just really like her.

 

[apryl29]

You have a llama? Need pics! Aren't they supposed to be pretty good at keeping predators away?



Yeah, I'm ok. My body always aches... and especially after doing some major weed pulling in my bulb planter today, mulch, amendments.



OK, I've only bought the cheap "noisy" tarps there. I think they're gonna be okay, but yeah -- I worry too probably more than I should.

I use PDZ on the poop boards too. I just use the small can inside for convenience. I have a large cat litter bucket outside as I'm saving it for a friend of mine. Usually I just go out in the yard and broadcast it.

Not a real llama. My daughter got a llama onesie for her Christmas pajamas. She is totally in love with them and has been dancing around in them Since Saturday. The trail cam did get a photo of her but it wasn't very clear. I've heard that llamas are mean. I'm not sure I would want a real one. But I have heard that alpacas make for good Farm pets.

LOL!!! Bless Lu Lu's little silly heart!!! I'm already experiencing the special little darlings!! I went out to the coop to give them their evening treat. I'm looking around and I'm missing a Fav boy and girl. I look at the doggie door where I made a split canvas door and sewed metal disks in the bottom of so the wind couldn't blow it open easily and saw the two missing Favs. They had just seen three other chicken come through the fabric door. Do you think they tried to come in? Nooooo...they stood there chirping for their friends...so I pull up one side of the flap and in they marched. I just shook my head...and said OK dumb and dumber...you need to figure that out!

Bahahaha I considered a door flap too, but didn't think my birds would be smart enough to figure it out. Instead I just put in a door that I can slide open and closed with a pulley and a rope. It's working really well so far but I hate having to go out there and open the door each morning, & the wind blowing in when it's open bothers me.. But it is what it is.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Not a real llama. My daughter got a llama onesie for her Christmas pajamas. She is totally in love with them and has been dancing around in them Since Saturday. The trail cam did get a photo of her but it wasn't very clear. I've heard that llamas are mean. I'm not sure I would want a real one. But I have heard that alpacas make for good Farm pets.


Bahahaha I considered a door flap too, but didn't think my birds would be smart enough to figure it out. Instead I just put in a door that I can slide open and closed with a pulley and a rope. It's working really well so far but I hate having to go out there and open the door each morning, & the wind blowing in when it's open bothers me.. But it is what it is.

Well you could slowly add strips of plastic to baffle the wind. I am going to buy some of that plastic hall runner to use. I think it will work.
I am suffering lack of eggs too! None probably until February. Speckled Sussex and Polish as well as guineas in my flock.

 

[apryl29]

Well you could slowly add strips of plastic to baffle the wind. I am going to buy some of that plastic hall runner to use. I think it will work.
I am suffering lack of eggs too! None probably until February. Speckled Sussex and Polish as well as guineas in my flock.

Interesting idea... Let me know how it works for you. I don't have a door on Odin's expansion and I feel bad that the wind comes in so much from that space, but I can't put a door on it like the other one b/c of where it is, plus I need it for ventilation, but it'd be nice to have a bit of a damper on the air flow.
Mine have been laying off and on, but the molting is affecting them a bit more than the weather, I think.

 

[CABINHOLLOWNC]

Bahahaha I considered a door flap too, but didn't think my birds would be smart enough to figure it out. Instead I just put in a door that I can slide open and closed with a pulley and a rope. It's working really well so far but I hate having to go out there and open the door each morning, & the wind blowing in when it's open bothers me.. But it is what it is.

The door flap works really well for the smart chickens
The two little Favs can't quite figure it out. We got a medium sized doggie door and didn't install the plastic flap. I used some heavy canvas material to make a curtain then cut it in half and sewed washers in the bottom to weight it. I'll snap a pic of it this evening whe I go out give them their treats and kiss them goodnight

 

[Crooked Chicken]

@Crooked Chicken, i know this is way early but i got to ask. When little Eve starts laying do you think it would be possible to buy a couple eggs off you? I'd like to add some Eves to the family or possibly Elmers if the boat floats that way. I just really like her.

Well, I could just send you Eve.... just kidding. But, I would happily send you eggs next year. I hope she will have blue or green eggs, but don't know if they get the egg-color gene from the dad (EE) or mom (BR). If she lays brown eggs I might not know which are hers. I'll have to try getting pics -- she's getting a lot of rusty-red edged feathers on her breast area.

I love the canvas flap idea. I have a heavy wood drop-down door and tried hanging sheet plastic from it, but the ducks and chickens just tore it apart. Now, if it's really windy or rainy I lower the door some. They have to duck going in and out, but they all seem to manage that okay.

I knew about the Llama pajamas, but thought maybe you also had a real llama. They are cute, but I don't think I'd like getting spit at hahahaha.

I had the local tree guy come out today to take some really heavy limbs off a tree before they fall and crack me on the head. He also removed a big branch from an ancient pear tree. He's got this chipper that is an absolute monster. I helped feed the branches in - that was kinda cool. Haven't tried my own small one I got yet. Anyway, I asked him to Pile the chips not far from the chicken house. Nice big pile. I'd like to toss some in their yard, but might be a good idea to let them dry out for a while???