@ellymayRans ~ Sad to read about the hungry coyote—more predator problems. Mother Nature's system of animals having to worry about predators is not very motherly! I'm sure you are so frustrated. I would also hate not letting my birds free range. Hopefully, you can try solar electric fencing like @Leahs Mom suggested. Maybe you could rotate flocks to free range. I'm sure you've already thought of all possibilities. I just wish I could help! Here's something to make you smile...
My Frizzle darlings that I got from you finally moved to the coop! It was hard on me, especially because I loved having them in their basement suite. I knew they needed to get on a normal sleep schedule so they would lay eggs (they're laying!) The girls were used to staying up to around 9:00 pm and sleeping in as long as they wanted. As a result of their move and egg laying (I assume), The Frizzles who formerly were almost conjoined twins, sadly became unlinked. Boa, the larger one, started pecking Tutu away from her at night. Poor little Tutu has been sleeping alone in a nesting box. Made me very sad. They still hang together during the day, though, because double-size is better when flocking with the big girls! They all get along, but I hate Mother Nature's system of The Pecking Order! Haha The hens know that I don't like it, so they try to behave when I'm around. They don't like my stern look and finger pointing. Kindergarteners are what they act like.
Roadrunner is svelte enough to slip up and into her perch that formerly belonged to the infamous flock leader (rip) Nene. When Nene christened that perch, I added some foam to make it more comfy for her feet. Since earlier this year one of my chickens unfortunately snacked on some foam and eventually died despite veterinarian care, the perches that are covered now have padding covered with black duct tape or blue paint tape. So far, so good. The sleeping lounge part of the coop used to have a half wall, half door, but they never liked being "cooped up," so we removed the wall on the right side. The open door on the left serves as Roadrunner's perch.
My fluffy Orps from @kittydoc ~ Hadley and Mocha compete for Flock Leader Lacey's favor. Hadley has the edge. Zipporah doesn't care enough and enjoys her own perch. I originally added the diagonal bar in anticipation of The Frizzles, but Smalty claimed it. Despite her size, Smalty still pulls rank over the three big Orps!
I took this photo before Tutu moved to the back. They insisted on sitting on an angled 2X4 support bar, which wasn't roomy enough. So I bought a 9" X 13" wooden box at a craft store and screwed it into the board. Then Boa claimed the "box seats" for herself.
My Frizzle darlings that I got from you finally moved to the coop! It was hard on me, especially because I loved having them in their basement suite. I knew they needed to get on a normal sleep schedule so they would lay eggs (they're laying!) The girls were used to staying up to around 9:00 pm and sleeping in as long as they wanted. As a result of their move and egg laying (I assume), The Frizzles who formerly were almost conjoined twins, sadly became unlinked. Boa, the larger one, started pecking Tutu away from her at night. Poor little Tutu has been sleeping alone in a nesting box. Made me very sad. They still hang together during the day, though, because double-size is better when flocking with the big girls! They all get along, but I hate Mother Nature's system of The Pecking Order! Haha The hens know that I don't like it, so they try to behave when I'm around. They don't like my stern look and finger pointing. Kindergarteners are what they act like.
Roadrunner is svelte enough to slip up and into her perch that formerly belonged to the infamous flock leader (rip) Nene. When Nene christened that perch, I added some foam to make it more comfy for her feet. Since earlier this year one of my chickens unfortunately snacked on some foam and eventually died despite veterinarian care, the perches that are covered now have padding covered with black duct tape or blue paint tape. So far, so good. The sleeping lounge part of the coop used to have a half wall, half door, but they never liked being "cooped up," so we removed the wall on the right side. The open door on the left serves as Roadrunner's perch.
My fluffy Orps from @kittydoc ~ Hadley and Mocha compete for Flock Leader Lacey's favor. Hadley has the edge. Zipporah doesn't care enough and enjoys her own perch. I originally added the diagonal bar in anticipation of The Frizzles, but Smalty claimed it. Despite her size, Smalty still pulls rank over the three big Orps!
I took this photo before Tutu moved to the back. They insisted on sitting on an angled 2X4 support bar, which wasn't roomy enough. So I bought a 9" X 13" wooden box at a craft store and screwed it into the board. Then Boa claimed the "box seats" for herself.
