Maine

[buckabucka]

A few of mine are molting too, Izzybella.

Today I finally cleaned out the coop! I had purchased the Robbins shavings, along with one bag from Hancock lumber, just to try them out. I think I like Hancock lumber best. The shavings are dry and fluffy, like Robbins, but a slightly larger, spongy flake. I don't think they'll break down as quickly and they are .75 cheaper per bale (at least at current prices).

Either kind is much better than the quality at TSC. I've always used the TSC shavings, but it does seem like they've gone downhill in the past year or so, -big shards of wood, and quite wet!

 

[IZZYBELLA]

A few of mine are molting too, Izzybella.

Today I finally cleaned out the coop! I had purchased the Robbins shavings, along with one bag from Hancock lumber, just to try them out. I think I like Hancock lumber best. The shavings are dry and fluffy, like Robbins, but a slightly larger, spongy flake. I don't think they'll break down as quickly and they are .75 cheaper per bale (at least at current prices).

Either kind is much better than the quality at TSC. I've always used the TSC shavings, but it does seem like they've gone downhill in the past year or so, -big shards of wood, and quite wet!

That's good to know about the Hancock shavings. I've only tried Robbins and TSC. The TSC shavings were just horrible! I did a big coop clean yesterday. It feels so good to get it done, doesn't it?!

 

[lazy gardener]

Any suppliers of Hancock shavings in the Bangor area? Or even Newport/Waterville?

Hubby and I spent all day working outside. I seeded and "hayed" more lawn, while he did the framing for the floor of the new coop. The Pneumatic framing nailer is a fantastic tool. I think I'm in love!

Seeking advice regarding what you all have found to be good flooring in the coop. I'm considering laminate... cheap stuff from Mardens, may be able to get miscellaneous colors and odd ball stuff for $5/box. Or rolled vinyl flooring... Or the "put it on with a roller" asphalt roofing stuff. Or I could just use a good quality paint. I want to be sure that what ever I apply will be water proof, and stand up to chicken poo. Plan to use DL. It will be going over 3/4" exterior grade OSB.

I think my SLW is now laying. That means that every one in the flock (Except for the rooster, of course!) is now laying. Those sex links have attitude, and give the roo a run for his money. He's breaking up a squabble between them almost every day. But they are laying real nice eggs. I got one 2 days ago that beat out my largest hen eggs in size. Today, I reached under one to gather eggs, and was rewarded by a nice skin puncture. She warned me, and I didn't listen!!

2 big dogs showed up this morning. One did not have a collar. They were obviously traveling together and had chicken dinner on their minds. If we hadn't been out side at the time, I'm sure they'd have jumped the fence, and done a lot of damage. The ACO was absolutely no help. I'm wondering if a gun that shoots plastic pellets would give enough of a sting to get the message across? Other option might be to buy a paint ball gun. We have more lethal ammo, but I'm hesitant to use it ... for now. Time to get the electric fence set up and going again.

 

[islandgirl82]

...

Any suppliers of Hancock shavings in the Bangor area?  Or even Newport/Waterville?  

Hubby and I spent all day working outside.  I seeded and "hayed" more lawn, while he did the framing for the floor of the new coop.  The Pneumatic framing nailer is a fantastic tool.  I think I'm in love!  

Seeking advice regarding what you all have found to be good flooring in the coop.  I'm considering laminate... cheap stuff from Mardens, may be able to get miscellaneous colors and odd ball stuff for $5/box.  Or rolled vinyl flooring... Or the "put it on with a roller" asphalt roofing stuff.  Or I could just use a good quality paint.  I want to be sure that what ever I apply will be water proof, and stand up to chicken poo.  Plan to use DL.  It will be going over 3/4" exterior grade OSB.  

I think my SLW is now laying.  That means that every one in the flock (Except for the rooster, of course!) is now laying.  Those sex links have attitude, and give the roo a run for his money.  He's breaking up a squabble between them almost every day.  But they are laying real nice eggs.  I got one 2 days ago that beat out my largest hen eggs in size.  Today, I reached under one to gather eggs, and was rewarded by a nice skin puncture.  She warned me, and I didn't listen!!

2 big dogs showed up this morning.  One did not have a collar.  They were obviously traveling together and had chicken dinner on their minds.  If we hadn't been out side at the time, I'm sure they'd have jumped the fence, and done a lot of damage.  The ACO was absolutely no help.  I'm wondering if a gun that shoots plastic pellets would give enough of a sting to get the message across?  Other option might be to buy a paint ball gun.  We have more lethal ammo, but I'm hesitant to use it ... for now.   Time to get the electric fence set up and going again.  


When I bought my ice shanty to convert to a hen house, I knew the chipboard floor it was built with would be terrible so I bought a 6x9' roll of vinyl flooring to cover it. I used an all-purpose floor adhesive and one plastic spreader for applying the adhesive and a second for smoothing it out. It took about 45 mins to install it and another 20 minutes for the adhesive to dry. I'm really happy with it and it takes no time at all to clean. It's thin enough to cut with a pair of scissors but nothing heavy should be dragged over it or it will get damaged.

 

[buckabucka]

LG, the Hancock lumber website says they sell the shavings at all of their retail stores. Pittsfield has both a sawmill and a store. You may want to call them. I got mine in New Sharon because I've been buying their layer feed.

It does feel great to get the coop cleaned out, Izzy! I didn't do as thorough a job as last year. DH often helps out, but he was too busy.

My pullets are just over 19 weeks. I can't wait to see their eggs, but it is a little early yet.

 

[buckabucka]

LG, forgot to add, - I would not recommend individual linoleum tiles in the coop. We got cheap big tiles (18" square) at Marden's, and while the material is fine, all the shoveling and scraping catches the edge and bent a few upward. I usually screw them back down, but big sheets or rolls would work better.

 

[Branch Chickens]

LG, the Hancock lumber website says they sell the shavings at all of their retail stores. Pittsfield has both a sawmill and a store. You may want to call them. I got mine in New Sharon because I've been buying their layer feed.

It does feel great to get the coop cleaned out, Izzy! I didn't do as thorough a job as last year. DH often helps out, but he was too busy.

My pullets are just over 19 weeks. I can't wait to see their eggs, but it is a little early yet.

Our pullets will be 20 weeks tomorrow, and we had 3 start laying this week. I was shocked! No complaints here.

 

[ashandvine]

Molting is slow business here for some. I think its funniest when they walk around without tail primaries.

The turn in weather has me feeling pressured by winter to get things done.... oh man.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Molting is slow business here for some.  I think its funniest when they walk around without tail primaries.

The turn in weather has me feeling pressured by winter to get things done.... oh man.

I'm hoping they hurry up and get it over with before it gets too cold. It's nippy enough as is, can't imagine without feathers!

 

[lazy gardener]

I did a quick run to Marden's today and came back with a roll of vinyl laminate. Looks to be pretty good quality for $.59/s.f. My 13 y.o. kept telling me that it looked fake. (wood grain) I kept reminding him that it was for a chicken coop, and would be covered with wood shavings and chicken poo. He still insists that it's too fake looking to be used!!!

Got 14/16 eggs today. Them girls are doing well.