Just moved into our new home in the country....

[edster951]

Firstly here is a picture of a sunrise greeting us on one of the first mornings here...

Derelict old coup...

Rotten walls...

Back wall removed...

Rotten piles..

Inspection time...

I replaced some rotten timber, and retinned the rear wall. It would be a waste of time trying to salvage the whole thing. It's quite stable for its condition, so for now the chooks seem happy with it, even though DW thinks its an eye sore. I think it has character. However, it will do for another year or two until I get a new one built.

Trying out the new coup..

we do however have a rat problem here...I set the water bowl in the middle to watch for them. I'll ask in pests how to control this..

 

[lurky]

I notice the rat is not listed in your signature line

 

[countryboy]

we use cats for rodent control.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

We have a couple of wild bobcats roaming - oddly enough, though, no sign of rodents ...hmmmm

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Just tell DW that the coop is your "Diamond in the rough"!

Not much help, huh? LOL

Dawn

 

[gobbles!]

Aww that rat is adorable! But yes, if you don't want him around I'd recommend cats. I've never had a problem with my cats bothering the chickens, either.

 

[edster951]

some quick replies....

the chooks are freerange, so its hard to control the rats without getting the chooks.

The coup is being used all day by the chooks, but they go back to thier old one during the night. It's too small now for 16 chooks. It was OK for 6, but the chicks have grown now. You can can here the comotion each night as they jossle for thier favourite position. They'll be warm during the winter huddled like that though. I'll try to train them into the new coup soon.

 

[Itsme]

Beautiful Sunrise Eddie...congratulations on your move!!

I have to agree with the cats for rodent control. My cats have never once bothered the chickens and actually seem to enjoy being around the chickens.

 

[texaschickmama]

Holy crap, that is a big rat. What do y'all feed 'em over there?

 

[edster951]

Quote:
The previous owners had pigs, so they ate all the pig food, now we're "feeding" them layer pellets.