MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

That is exactly what I thought when I bought the first one, and why I got another.
We had the same thought with construction tarps, by the way. We spent years using together old worn out pieces of various type of tarps which was a pain, when buying a huge new really convenient one was only 30 euros.

I'll take a look at tarps next time I'm at the hardware shop.

I also recently discovered how affordable high pressure washers are, so one of those is on the list now.

You do take A type to another level !

I take after my Dad!

Mary is lucky to have such a caring and careful keeper.

I wonder what she would say about that if she had the chance?? "Tell that woman to stop fussing! She's driving me up the wall!!"

I guess I was lucky with my chicks that none got into harm in spite of not having done much thinking before about all the ways they could get hurt. Also, that phase doesn't last long - getting past two weeks, most of them begin to move and fly well enough to get themselves out of many problems.

That's a very reassuring thought.

I look forward to the day when a hatch works out and I can feel a little less on edge about it.

 

[BDutch]

Yes, with a weekend in the middle for any last minute adjustments to the hatchery environment.

I'm thinking another sweep with the magnet wouldn't go astray and the ply in the nesting compartment could be sanded. And I wouldn't mind bracing the new ramp to prevent sagging (easy to do in-situ because the ramp's hinged and has a hook at the bottom end for hoisting), then fashioning two triangle drop-sides (possibly on hinges) for the ramp so any chicks can't run underneath.

Good to secure things, but its not necessary to overdo it.
Chickens are not heavy, and if the ramp doest bend if you push a little on top, there is no need to enforce it. The easy going ramp is only important for a week- 10 days. Chicks learn super-fast.
Imo, you only need to be around for 2 days when they go to ‘bed’ to see if all chicks find their way up.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes, with a weekend in the middle for any last minute adjustments to the hatchery environment.

I'm thinking another sweep with the magnet wouldn't go astray and the ply in the nesting compartment could be sanded. And I wouldn't mind bracing the new ramp to prevent sagging (easy to do in-situ because the ramp's hinged and has a hook at the bottom end for hoisting), then fashioning two triangle drop-sides (possibly on hinges) for the ramp so any chicks can't run underneath.

I love the always improving mindset.

 

[MaryJanet]

Good to secure things, but its not necessary to overdo it.
Chickens are not heavy, and if the ramp doest bend if you push a little on top, there is no need to enforce it. The easy going ramp is only important for a week- 10 days. Chicks learn super-fast.
Imo, you only need to be around for 2 days when they go to ‘bed’ to see if all chicks find their way up.

I love the always improving mindset.

A continuous improvement cycle can be a bit of a mindset and once taken up, it's hard to drop. The trick is knowing when something's finished. I hope I'm making improvements that will last rather than temporary fixes, and I should get the projects completed while I'm finding joy in them. That joy will transform into disappointment if no eggs hatch or a mild horror if the hatch goes badly, then I'll have a sagging ramp and splintery insert for who knows how long? I'd best get it all done now while I'm keen.

 

[BY Bob]

A continuous improvement cycle can be a bit of a mindset and once taken up, it's hard to drop. The trick is knowing when something's finished. I hope I'm making improvements that will last rather than temporary fixes, and I should get the projects completed while I'm finding joy in them. That joy will transform into disappointment if no eggs hatch or a mild horror if the hatch goes badly, then I'll have a sagging ramp and splintery insert for who knows how long? I'd best get it all done now while I'm keen.

I appreciate the spirit. I'm about to take on coop modifications and repairs this upcoming weekend, before winter sets in.

 

[MaryJanet]

I appreciate the spirit. I'm about to take on coop modifications and repairs this upcoming weekend, before winter sets in.

Exciting! What do you have planned?

 

[MaryJanet]

Ivy came into the back porch to eat the toast crumbs and once she started ringing that dinner bell (tap tap tap on the plate) everyone else came running!

 

[BY Bob]

Exciting! What do you have planned?

3 projects really plus painting the Cluckle Hut.

The first is to even up the roof of the porch and the run extension.

The red line insisting indicates the roof line of the porch and the orange the roof line of the extension that connects it to the run. It has been janky like that since I built the coop. I first built the coop and then created the extension. When I went to build the porch I realized that I wanted the roof line higher so they had room to stand up comfortably. So I had to build some weird adapting to connect them.

The roof of the extension was built with what was left from the porch and coop construction and I have patched it twice. It is now in total failure so I am going to correct my design flaws and build it correctly this time by raising the roof of the extension to match the run.

The second project is another repair.

This is for the drop door under the coop. It spent so much time dropped open that it lay in rain water and rotted. One of the hinges has ripped out though the rotted wood and so it has been closed all summer and blocked with a planter to prevent break-ins. This has created a dead end under the coop of which I am not overly fond. So I need to make a replacement drop door.

The third project involves the memories wall in the big run.

It needs to be redesigned and sadly, expanded. It is time to move Phyllis and Glynda from the front of the coop to the run. I've put this off as long as I can.

I also need to make a silhouette for Aster but she is not fully grown yet so I will wait a while before doing that.

 

[BY Bob]

Ivy came into the back porch to eat the toast crumbs and once she started ringing that dinner bell (tap tap tap on the plate) everyone else came running!

View attachment 3975049

Got to eat quieter Ivy!

 

[MaryJanet]

3 projects really plus painting the Cluckle Hut.

The first is to even up the roof of the porch and the run extension.

View attachment 3975235

The red line insisting indicates the roof line of the porch and the orange the roof line of the extension that connects it to the run. It has been janky like that since I built the coop. I first built the coop and then created the extension. When I went to build the porch I realized that I wanted the roof line higher so they had room to stand up comfortably. So I had to build some weird adapting to connect them.

The roof of the extension was built with what was left from the porch and coop construction and I have patched it twice. It is now in total failure so I am going to correct my design flaws and build it correctly this time by raising the roof of the extension to match the run.

The second project is another repair.
View attachment 3975250

This is for the drop door under the coop. It spent so much time dropped open that it lay in rain water and rotted. One of the hinges has ripped out though the rotted wood and so it has been closed all summer and blocked with a planter to prevent break-ins. This has created a dead end under the coop of which I am not overly fond. So I need to make a replacement drop door.

The third project involves the memories wall in the big run.

View attachment 3975254

It needs to be redesigned and sadly, expanded. It is time to move Phyllis and Glynda from the front of the coop to the run. I've put this off as long as I can.

View attachment 3975255

I also need to make a silhouette for Aster but she is not fully grown yet so I will wait a while before doing that.

Such worthwhile plans Bob. Moving Phyllis and Glynda will be a heavy task.

And it'll be fantastic to level out the roofline.

Would a lifting door like a drawbridge be less susceptible to rot than a drop door? Maybe there's not enough room for a lifting door.