Haha. I just put them in. I closed up their old coops. They were on top of the old coops. Only Primrose went to the new coop. I put each lone in the new coop and there was a huge flurry of Chickeness. So I sat in the coop and helped them group up and settle down. I put the big girls on the high perch and waited for them to settle in. Once all of them had fluffed out, tail down in sleeping position I left.
My wife says no eggs yet, they are a mixed bunch and probably wont start at the same time but i would jump up and down for just one
,then i will be waiting on the next group, RSL,BA and RIRs to start in Sept, and then the next group of Dominiques and BSLto start in Oct/Nov,Maybe!!. I dont expect the EEs to start till spring which may be a bit off as the littles are about 6 weeks now,
That is absolutely beautiful! I love the details you added, and the stain(?).
We started on a much less elegant set of cages/brooders/pens today. I'm very proud of how much we got done. It's all treated, and then painted, so it should last a very long time! It's 12x3x6, and next to a 16 foot trailer for comparison. There will be four pens on top, for rabbits, growing out chicks, breeding pairs, etc., and one big pen on the bottom. I plan on growing out ten black copper marans there for a while. It's very sturdy. I believe it could survive a hurricane and not go anywhere. Lol!
If we wanted, we could build another one identical to it, then create an alleyway down the middle by connecting the roofs to make one single structure. We could take it a step further and fence off the alleyway, thereby making a pen to let critters roam for a bit. It will be quite a while before we take it that far, I believe.
What we did between the above photos and below photos: We added support boards to those running horizontally across the structure, filling in the spaces to allow hardware cloth to fit perfectly. We did the same vertically for the same reasons. Both additions dramatically increased stability. We then painted everything, even the underneath, to ensure as much longevity as possible. We then started adding tin to the top. We need to cut off a part of one of the middle support poles that is a bit too high before adding tin, and we thought that was a good place to stop for the day.
What we have left to do is create the frame for the doors, make the doors, add all the wire, and rig up the bottom pen. I personally would like wire doors framed with wood, but we're considering just wire, or a solid wood door. What is pictured is about four hours of work. I'm so excited to fill it up!
The total for materials was around $150, but we already had the paint and tin on hand. I think we may end at around $200, and if we do I'll be very happy.
That is absolutely beautiful! I love the details you added, and the stain(?).
We started on a much less elegant set of cages/brooders/pens today. I'm very proud of how much we got done. It's all treated, and then painted, so it should last a very long time! It's 12x3x6, and next to a 16 foot trailer for comparison. There will be four pens on top, for rabbits, growing out chicks, breeding pairs, etc., and one big pen on the bottom. I plan on growing out ten black copper marans there for a while. It's very sturdy. I believe it could survive a hurricane and not go anywhere. Lol!
If we wanted, we could build another one identical to it, then create an alleyway down the middle by connecting the roofs to make one single structure. We could take it a step further and fence off the alleyway, thereby making a pen to let critters roam for a bit. It will be quite a while before we take it that far, I believe.
What we did between the above photos and below photos: We added support boards to those running horizontally across the structure, filling in the spaces to allow hardware cloth to fit perfectly. We did the same vertically for the same reasons. Both additions dramatically increased stability. We then painted everything, even the underneath, to ensure as much longevity as possible. We then started adding tin to the top. We need to cut off a part of one of the middle support poles that is a bit too high before adding tin, and we thought that was a good place to stop for the day.
What we have left to do is create the frame for the doors, make the doors, add all the wire, and rig up the bottom pen. I personally would like wire doors framed with wood, but we're considering just wire, or a solid wood door. What is pictured is about four hours of work. I'm so excited to fill it up!
The total for materials was around $150, but we already had the paint and tin on hand. I think we may end at around $200, and if we do I'll be very happy.
These doors are simple to build and the frame is also easy, i just thought maybe this would help give you a starting piont, i really like being able to see inside before opening or closing the doors for the safety of the chicks, you dont want them jumping out or close the door on ones toe or foot. this coop is10x4x4 ft.
These doors are simple to build and the frame is also easy, i just thought maybe this would help give you a starting piont, i really like being able to see inside before opening or closing the doors for the safety of the chicks, you dont want them jumping out or close the door on ones toe or foot. this coop is10x4x4 ft.
That's just the type of door I was thinking of! I like the style for the same reasons, in addition to it adding just a bit more ventilation. We're making the back solid and not wire, so I want as much cool air as possible.
