INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Chaneys Ranch]

ok should i wrap it so she doesnt make it bigger?

You can try to, she will likely pull it off tho.

 

[animallover2202]

ehh it worth a shot

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

ehh it worth a shot

Sure is, she may leave it, wont know if you don't try

 

[CluckAcres]

Hello again!

So we're at the dreamer stage right now: no coop, no chicks, nuthin. BUT! Been doing alot of research and reading up storm, visiting friends' coops.

We're in town so we can only have up to five hens. We're going for egg laying instead of meat or pets/show animals.

So! Questions!

What are the pros and cons of getting 'coop ready' birds on your first round? At present, we don't have a location to raise chicks safely (4 cats here in the apt. and a small unruly dg at the house where the coop would be going up).

When building a coop, is chip/particle board acceptable for walls if covered in latex paint outside and linoleum outside?

Is there any other method of critter proofing the run besides extending the hardware cloth below ground?

Is 2 feet off the ground an ok height for the coop?
How tall should the coop be? 3 feet? 4 feet?
Is insulation a good idea in southern indiana?
What is a good plan for ventilation in the coop? I was thinking of 4 inch 'transoms' running the length of each side at the top of the wall. Will just the hens' entrance be enough to keep the air moving or should there be windows down low?

Does the run need to be a specific height? Or is 2 feet tall enough?

There are more questions but I think I'll stop here so I don't end up annoying people. Thanks to any and all who are willing to share their knowledge with a complete rube... Cheers!

Mr. Tattoohead

What are the pros and cons of getting 'coop ready' birds on your first round? -------- I suggest for newbies to get older birds that may be laying already. Pros of that is they are bigger and easier to take care of. Cons.. If you dont get chicks you dont get to see the joy of them growing up.

When building a coop, is chip/particle board acceptable for walls if covered in latex paint outside and linoleum outside? I wouldnt use particle board. Chip board (OSB) would work if its painted. I wouldnt use just linoleum inside coop unless you still put some sort of bedding down.

Is there any other method of critter proofing the run besides extending the hardware cloth below ground? Yes you can put it at least 2 feet out above ground and stake it down. But thats not 100% proof. Also cover the top of your run with something.

Is 2 feet off the ground an ok height for the coop? Yes but you dont have to have it raised. If you have a solid bottom so other animals cant get in will work the best.

How tall should the coop be? 3 feet? 4 feet? Height it all depends on how big your chickens are and remember you have to be able to clean it out easily.

Is insulation a good idea in southern indiana? Not on walls. You can put some in roof tho. Use insulation board with the silver film.

What is a good plan for ventilation in the coop? Put a least 2 or more vents in towards the top of coop. A good thing to use as vents is register vents. Just go buy some cheap plastic or metal vents from your local hardware or lumber store. Just cut some holes in walls and screw vent in it. I think the best ones are the ones you can open and close. Thats good for winter. You can have them all the way open in summer and halfway open in winter. For windows put them up high too. If you put windows in, place hardware cloth over it on the inside. Then when widow is open nothing can get in or out besides fresh air (also good ventilation)

Does the run need to be a specific height? Or is 2 feet tall enough? No specific height. I like mine tall enough for me to walk in so i can do some clean up and have room to visit with them in the run. I would make it high enough so you can keep water containers and some food out in it. So it has to be high enough for you to be able to change those out. Unless you make access doors to where you can still change them out.

Hope this post answers your questions and feel free to ask more. I love questions like these!!! I would rather you ask questions and get good answers and know how to take care of your flock and not ask any questions and go into owning a flock and not knowing anything at all. The more you know the healthier your flock will be!!!!!

 

[MrTattoohead]

You are NOT annoying, questions are awesome! Here is MHO:
off the ground is a choice, really. My "coop" is at ground level, all of them. As long as they are critter proof, its ok.
Height is also a preference. I like being able to walk in, so all of mine are 8ft but they are sheds with runs and pop doors.
I am in central IN, and no insulation. Really depends on your breed of birds.
Ventilation, MORE is better, but you don't want draft in cold weather. So up high is important, but windows won't hurt either.
Run height is also a preference, I like walk in runs. But if its just for chicken use only 2 ft isn't bad, 4 ft is better.

--------------------------------------------------

I was thinking off the ground because we are LAZY people...
We've only got a little corner plot in an addition in Bloomington, so space is limited. I was thinking 4'x4' and 3' tall box kind of thing for the hens to roost in (nesting boxes jutting out from the side). And every opening covered in hardware cloth.

The run only being 2' tall was to save on hardware cloth (we're CHEAP too...). I was thinking of making the roof secure but detachable for cleaning the run out. Hinged on one side and padlocked on the other. Flip the lid and rake it out kind of thing.

For breeds, we though that starting with 2 rhode island reds and two orpingtons to start with, maybe get a fancy bird next year...

Is it possible to get hens that are socialized and ready for the coop, or is that just pie in the sky?

Thanks for the prompt response!

Mr Tattoohead

P.S. I'm taking notes from all the responders! Thank you all for the help!

 

[Mother2Hens]

animal lover~ Do you think your cat might have an abscess? It's an infection that usually results from a cat fight-- being bitten or scratched by another cat. I've had several cats in the past get them. The wound slowly fills up with disgusting infected pus until it bursts, which can happen if your cat itches it. I've always taken mine to the vet where they've cleaned the wound and given antibiotics. You can Google: cat abscess. OR do you think your cat has a "hot spot"? It's an area on the skin that becomes irritated from allergies, fleas, or other reasons. The cat obsessively cleans the area, which causes further irritation. When I've taken a cat to the vet with a more severe case, they've prescribed prednisone, a steroid to reduce inflammation. You could use the NuStock spray. You can Google: cat hot spot.

 

[CluckAcres]

You are NOT annoying, questions are awesome! Here is MHO:
off the ground is a choice, really. My "coop" is at ground level, all of them. As long as they are critter proof, its ok.
Height is also a preference. I like being able to walk in, so all of mine are 8ft but they are sheds with runs and pop doors.
I am in central IN, and no insulation. Really depends on your breed of birds.
Ventilation, MORE is better, but you don't want draft in cold weather. So up high is important, but windows won't hurt either.
Run height is also a preference, I like walk in runs. But if its just for chicken use only 2 ft isn't bad, 4 ft is better.

I was thinking off the ground because we are LAZY people...

We've only got a little corner plot in an addition in Bloomington, so space is limited. I was thinking 4'x4' and 3' tall box kind of thing for the hens to roost in (nesting boxes jutting out from the side). And every opening covered in hardware cloth.

The run only being 2' tall was to save on hardware cloth (we're CHEAP too...). I was thinking of making the roof secure but detachable for cleaning the run out. Hinged on one side and padlocked on the other. Flip the lid and rake it out kind of thing.

For breeds, we though that starting with 2 rhode island reds and two orpingtons to start with, maybe get a fancy bird next year...

Is it possible to get hens that are socialized and ready for the coop, or is that just pie in the sky?

Thanks for the prompt response!

Mr Tattoohead

P.S. I'm taking notes from all the responders! Thank you all for the help!

Your ideas seem great. But i see a few problems. When chicken math hits, you wont have anymore room for more chickens.

I would go with at least 8x8 if anything. Then make sure your run is big enough for 4 hens to feel comfortable in. 2 ft is kinda small for height. I have a few hens when they stretch out and raise their heads they stand around 2 foot. If you want hens that are coop ready i would go with some older hens and not chicks. If you get some hens from someone else then they should be coop ready.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Welcome to Mr. Tattoohead! Do you live in Bloomington or out in the surrounding country?

Welcome to mlongworth!

Welcome to Parrmom!

To All Recent New Members~ Please check the Indiana member list and if you are not listed... send a PM (personal message) by simply placing your cursor over one of the following names: Mother2Hens, Cluck Acres, or jchny2000 and you will see "Send a PM." A personal message will ensure that one of us receives your info. Please send your screen name, county, and city. Also include the following information about each member of your flock: List each species (chicken, duck, etc.), breed (Barred Rock, etc.), is it a LF (Large Fowl) or Bantam? The member list is a spreadsheet format that lets you sort the list by breed, county, or other category. Just look at the bottom of the page. It's an easy way to find other members who have the same breed you have or who live in a nearby county, etc.

On the member list page, please look at the link to the Indiana Co-ops & Food Mills Information Page. It's a helpful resource that includes tips from our members. If you like a certain store's services or have had a bad experience at another, please PM the following information: store name, address, city, phone, comments.

On the member list page, there's a link to Indiana Events. If you know of any poultry-related events this year (sale, show, coop tour, exhibit, etc.), please PM the information so we can publicize upcoming events for the entire year.

 

[CluckAcres]

Wow just realized i hit 1,000 post and about 3/4 of that is just right here on this thread!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!

 

[Mother2Hens]

Cluck ~ So sorry to hear about your losses.

Em Steele~ Sorry to hear about your chick's death.
Re your new chick~ I hope it's a Jersey Giant! If I had to name a favorite in my flock, it's my Jersey (creative name-haha). She's at the top of the pecking order. Although she is large, she walks slowly and gracefully and then stops, turns, and poses! She has a sweet, conversational voice, but if she becomes annoyed by one of the other flock members, she sounds like a fog horn. I traded one of my RIR cockerels for her, and she supposedly was one year old when a got her (a year ago), so I didn't have her as a chick. I googled JG chicks, but I am no expert, so it's hard to say if that's what you have.

Does anyone else have or had a Jersey Giant? I wonder if all of them have eyes that make them look like they are glancing backwards.