Nice. It looks like they have quite a run areaI got the framing of this coop together by myself (I'm a wee little thing). Did the same for the previous coop, and learned how to do it alone, but these walls were 16x8, and heavy. It took a lot of racing around to keep things from toppling, cursing, and walls fell a few times. And a few pulled muscles. But I ended up using multiple very strong short bungees cords wrapped around the intersection, and with predrilled screw holes, I managed to get it all together. But that was probably the hardest part of doing the big coop alone...
- Ant Farm
Quote:
I got the framing of this coop together by myself (I'm a wee little thing). Did the same for the previous coop, and learned how to do it alone, but these walls were 16x8, and heavy. It took a lot of racing around to keep things from toppling, cursing, and walls fell a few times. And a few pulled muscles. But I ended up using multiple very strong short bungees cords wrapped around the intersection, and with predrilled screw holes, I managed to get it all together. But that was probably the hardest part of doing the big coop alone...
- Ant Farm
You know exactly what I'm up against, then; my building's 10x16x8. No way could I have set the long walls alone; wouldn't even attempt it. The 10x8 ends are plenty enough for me. I didn't pre-drill anything. but I tied it against a brace board with a rubber cargo strap.
I almost caught the dog for real!Hi everyone.Glad you got the trap Abi. I'm assuming it's set ready to catch. The critter was a raccoon. One of four in three weeks. @Sally Sunshine
Put any kind of food outside, and he wants it! I had a heck of a time convincing him to leave the trap alone! I should really go back out, and see if he sprung it anyway. I don't like how easy it is for that door to close. Maybe I should read the directions again. It just doesn't seem to stay open very well.
My coop also has a cinderblock up against the door. Once I get the new fence put up, I still think I'm going to be terrified. No reason to be with the new fence, I just think I will be.I honestly think it was pure luck - there was no ramp up to the roosts in this particular coop, the birds hop/fly up, so that may have been a temporary deterrent in the face of easily accessible Feather Fixer pellets... I also think I was lucky to get out there before anything happened... Yes, very very lucky. (wanted to add an emoticon here, but couldn't find one that fit...)Thanks, it was! I, um... just MIGHT have gone a little OCD on checking and rechecking the coop doors when locking up tonight. And going back out and checking again. And propping a cinder block against the Frat boys coop door...
A while ago I had a young skunk wandering the Naked Neck paddock in the morning just as their automatic door opened and all the chickens began to pop out. I was very lucky that it was daylight, and that it had gotten trapped in there and was scared and 100% focused on getting out (ignoring the chickens). Yeah, it's scary to think what's out there at night - still being relatively new to chicken keeping, it's still an adjustment to think of how vulnerable they are at night (even the fiercest roosters). I built my coops as tight as I can - just gotta remember to lock them up!
I LOVE this picture!!! Raccoon pressure is the main reason I gave up on trying to grow any corn before even trying... - Ant Farm
e 
I almost caught the dog for real!
My coop also has a cinderblock up against the door. Once I get the new fence put up, I still think I'm going to be terrified. No reason to be with the new fence, I just think I will be.
