That is a beautiful brown aint it? I have 10 of them that should start laying about the end of Aug./1st of Sept./ I read they are generally darkest when they first start laying and get lighter when getting close to molt and dark again after molt or when they increase laying after winter is over. I plan on breeding my EE Roo to A Black Australorp which lays a dark brown egg or maybe even a Dominique and see if i get greenish eggs. Maybe one of my BRs will lay a really dark egg.
Would anybody want to elaberate on the breed of my avatar, i say she is Silver Pincled Plymoutn Rock, but i trully don't know. I think maybe a cross, the eyes are a bit dark
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.
I have a 3' by 12' grow out pen that has a half ***** door on the right end. No way to get to the other end. So this is what I have planned. And it looks pretty easy. Thanks a bunch.
Thank you! It's 12x3x6. It's more for future breeding than anything already planned.
I do have ten black copper marans I will be moving to it when they get a little bigger. I took some pictures of them today. I already see three little roos!
Most of my breeds have quit laying in the heat, but we're preparing to brood a bunch of chicks and ducklings (and eventually poults and peachicks once mine mature) this coming fall. It should last many years and many biddies.
Quote: You could always get one of those poultry hooks so you could keep using the pen.
Thank you! It's 12x3x6. It's more for future breeding than anything already planned.
I do have ten black copper marans I will be moving to it when they get a little bigger. I took some pictures of them today. I already see three little roos!
Most of my breeds have quit laying in the heat, but we're preparing to brood a bunch of chicks and ducklings (and eventually poults and peachicks once mine mature) this coming fall. It should last many years and many biddies.
You could always get one of those poultry hooks so you could keep using the pen.
I think this will be my first real breeding season. I have several breeds that are laying age and I'm trying to improve, compared to last breeding season when my birds were just getting the hang of it all.
Would anybody want to elaberate on the breed of my avatar, i say she is Silver Pincled Plymoutn Rock, but i trully don't know. I think maybe a cros, the eyes are a bit dark
I have a 3' by 12' grow out pen that has a half ***** door on the right end. No way to get to the other end. So this is what I have planned. And it looks pretty easy. Thanks a bunch.
You are very welcome, i built the doors and hung them before i framed the side the latch is on and the top because doors just seam to allways sag a little after hanging, it would be nice if they made hinges with slotted holes to adjust them with, if you miss the first time, you have to use longer or larger screws if you have to adjust them. It saves a lot of time and aggrivation to hang them with a 3/8" spacer underneath, that way they are on an even plane with the bottom, the rest can be set with the proper clearence once the door is set right.
Each door frame takes egg-xactly 1 8 ft 2x4 if you cut them right the first time,lol
Dodged a MAJOR bullet this morning! Woke up to let the dogs out about 6:40 (auto pop door opens at 6:35) and there was a coyote INSIDE my electric net fencing with the girls in one corner and he in the other. He was pacing and not paying attention to them. They must have just gotten out of their coop ( silly girls...hellllooo predator...right there!). So of course my husband ran and got the rifle and shot the coyote inside my fencing. I could not figure out how he got inside! Problem solved though....my husbands bow target was about two feet from the fence. No signs of "forced entry" so I'm supposing he hopped on the bow target and jumped right into the fenced area. Apparently he had been there for some time and since he couldn't get into my coop he tried to get out and kept getting zapped by he fence. He dug three huge holes trying to get OUT! But I guess anytime he got his nose close enough it would shock him. I'm guessing he was in a panic or something? I can't believe he did not kill my girls once they got out the coop! Lesson learned. I will pay closer attention to the perimeter of my fence area!
