Maine

[ashandvine]

I read that one person used bubble wrap sheets in their coop to create necessary airspace and I was thinking that the paper feed bags I have here from Blue Seal can go on the ceiling if I run into real concerns regarding heat in the coops. I lived in a house once where cardboard was used as temporary wall coverings while it was being finished for heating reasons and it works really well. The issue I see with using it down coop walls is the poop and smell issue so if I resort to this I will have to cover the cardboard with another layer of bags. I just learned that the styrofoam carriers from the grocery fish dept are usually thrown away and so are the grape boxes. I planned to make an incubator out of them but haven't. I bet they could be used as wall liners and they are easily washed, free and have super insulation value. They aren't very pretty though...

Next, liming the barn walls and prepping for this new coop to show up. Good news: I can let children paint the walls with me as long as they are careful (its caustic) and I have children AND the child labor laws don't apply if they are your own children. Yes!

 

[klf73]

The UMaine Animal Health Lab in Orono did the necropsy. If you are thinking of doing this, put the bird in a plastic bag and put it on ice or in the refrigerator ASAP. Not sure if this is the right number (I just looked it up online):1-800-287-0274.

Just to let you know, lab told me to refrigerate and make sure not to freeze...

 

[hoppy]

one note on styrofoam and chickens, for some reason they love to eat it, it will never last on the walls but would be great for an incubator

. I just learned that the styrofoam carriers from the grocery fish dept are usually thrown away and so are the grape boxes. I planned to make an incubator out of them but haven't. I bet they could be used as wall liners and they are easily washed, free and have super insulation value. They aren't very pretty though...

 

[MaineGigi]

For anyone suspecting I was crazy here is all the evidence you needed; I am a crazy recycler/upcycler.

This coop used to be the tool shed from the neighboring cemetery. The original owner built four nest boxes. Dh built the rest. I converted one large box into a rooster/cockerel pen so I could transition or keep more than one rooster through winter without a lot of craziness or having to build yet another structure here. (keep in mind I rent and have only been here since mid April.) I built the bachelor pen out of wood from pallets broken down for wood and building a coop here. (pics of that later if I finish it) The sliding 'bolt action' lock and handle were made from same bits of wood and an old wooden thread spool that was nearly empty. Very cute and no one notices. The waterer is held on with zip ties and, I nailed a milk gallon bottom in one corner to help keep food clean and reduce waste. It works so far. (see new Orp who is temporarily housed in here until the new coop comes next week. Always next week with DH.) Under this shelf was a lot of space that just wasn't being used much. Old aluminum window screens fit nearly perfectly in there. Using them and some pieces of plywood that were also laying around here I created grow out/brooding pens with screen no chicks would get out of or stuck in. Even the hings came from old kitchen cabinets which were torn out of a house during a remodel and I collected them last summer knowing they had a use. (doors on pens open or removed for pics) On the walls is today's idea manifested. In an effort to cut down on wind sheer, blown in water or snow, and to hold some heat in the coop through the winter I have been stapling up tar paper to cover the openings between boards that created the siding of this shed. I ran out of paper (it was left over and here when we moved in) and got the idea to use the feed bags from TCS. They are a lot like tarps when you think about it. I have tote bags from these as well. I cut them open and stapled and cut them custom to the north and east side of the coop as much as I had supplies. I will of course be using them as they empty to finish this project. There are still a lot of openings near the rafters and single pane windows so there will be circulation a plenty. The bags are breathable but not overly porous. It looks a bit patchwork to me right now but I think come winter I will like the colors and appreciate the reduction in drafts/cold. (see here again Orp comb)






Next, and most embarrassing, is the second feeder I have ever made, the first being from a short rain gutter to create a trough feeder for the littles. Again, it works. I used old metal shower curtain rings, bale rope, a bucket lid and the barrel you see. It hangs from the ceiling and the little grooves in the edge of the bucket catch the feed as the chickens peck it off the lid, again, helping to keep it out of the dirt. We pour feed in from the top and it falls through holes I cut in the bottom.




Note: yes, I ate these but they have no MSG or High fructose and no I did not share with chickens.

Next, I have a plan for a watering system in the barn basement. Details, possibly, to come.

Thank you so much for the feed bag idea. I've been trying to figure out how to stop a few drafts in my coops and this is perfect. I have tote bags made from them also. I'm going to start lining my coops with them tomorrow. Oh by the way, the little legbar roo I got from you is doing great!!
~Cathy

 

[buckabucka]

I also like the feed bag wallpaper!

 

[Clover Run]

Such a busy weekend here! Easy to tell that the school year has started and the activities are all starting up...kind of a bummer in some ways.But it also means we are closer to hockey season!!! WOOT!


Anyway, I wanted to thank Clover Run for taking my mom and aunts chickens. They were relieved to find them a good home and can now relax at the thoght of winter...well, as mch as anyone relaxes while thinking about winter!

They are settling in nicely - I need to post some pics for your Mom on my facebook page. I promised I would but le ther knw they are all fine and even started laying! I thought they might be a little stressed from new environment but they settled right in.

 

[hoppy]

I've got too many broodies, I think I better share the few eggs I have saved for hatching for them.

 

[kinsey228]

Does anyone want a pair of Splash OEG banties, 2 younger ones, and a mutt chick ? FREE ! I need to find them new homes.

 

[gracejr]

Love that feed bag wallpaper! And hey, nothing beats free! I think the cheese ball feeder is my favorite though.

Hoppy, she is really just a "bonus" chicken anyway, so even if she never lays an egg, it's all good. lol She's too small to give us meat babies, so she's just a pretty gal to spice up the coop.

longgrove, so sorry to hear about your chicken. I'm glad it wasn't drawn out though.




In non-chicken news... Had our first "real" appt with the midwives today! Little stinker was hiding from the doppler, so we had to head over to the ultrasound clinic. A perfect little alien baby. Measuring right on target, 11 weeks today.

 

[hoppy]

can I guess boy already???

Love that feed bag wallpaper! And hey, nothing beats free! I think the cheese ball feeder is my favorite though.

Hoppy, she is really just a "bonus" chicken anyway, so even if she never lays an egg, it's all good. lol She's too small to give us meat babies, so she's just a pretty gal to spice up the coop.
longgrove, so sorry to hear about your chicken.

I'm glad it wasn't drawn out though.
In non-chicken news... Had our first "real" appt with the midwives today! Little stinker was hiding from the doppler, so we had to head over to the ultrasound clinic. A perfect little alien baby.

Measuring right on target, 11 weeks today.