My Coop & Run

[PippinTheChicken]

Does the coop *need* cleaning?

Could you just put some fresh litter on top?

My limited experience with 3 broodies is that anything annoys them -- especially me trying to take eggs -- but not much will actually shift them if they're determined about it.

I moved her eggs to the box next to her. It's much, much cleaner. I will keep her there, clean her box and put her back.
It's so dirty and I'm afraid if bugs (lice/mites) infest eggs or hatchlings

 

[aart]

2) Roof- since I have silkies, they must be protected from rain and sky predators like the red kites that live nearby.

Looks like it's sagging....due to rain water collection?

I buy the feed mixed like that. It's been mixed correctly so that it is healthy and nutritious for them

What feed...brand/model, protein and calcium percentages?

I'm afraid if bugs (lice/mites) infest eggs or hatchlings

Likely to infest broody first, and they can get really bad while she's setting, check for bugs and treat before allowing her to set. Tho not sure your coop has room for more birds might want to break her.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Looks like it's sagging....due to rain water collection?


What feed...brand/model, protein and calcium percentages?


Likely to infest broody first, and they can get really bad while she's setting, check for bugs and treat before allowing her to set. Tho not sure your coop has room for more birds might want to break her.

if it rains badly, it does fill up, I usually use a stick to empty it out. I have tried to find a way to stop it happening but now I have given up. The weather is awful so no work can really be done on it now. thanks for pointing it out.

I can check the food when I go outside later. the chickens are happy and healthy so there is nothing wrong with their food.

There have never been bugs in the coop but it is regularly checked and cleaned. cleaning s difficult with the broody but I will clean it today or tomorrow.
The coop can have a maximum of 3-4 more birds. They free-range when I'm at home anyway. If they all hatch (not gonna happen), I'll have to sell\give away the roos anyway. If I notice overcrowding, I will act immediately!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

That aside, you need to write up a coop page article because you've worked very hard to make your birds comfortable and happy.

Just did!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-to-think-about-when-making-a-run-for-silkies.76631/

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Good news! I have fixed the sagging roof!
I replaced the old tarp with some corrugated plastic boards.
They are see-through so it adds some light to the coop!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

My drinker broke so I got rid of it and bought 2 new drinkers and a new feeder. There are multiple feed/drink stations now!
Pippin hatched 3 chicks (3 weeks ago), she still lives in the same place as the rest of the flock and it works out

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I made a few changes today.
I also made a very wonky "chicken ladder" for the Polish chicks. They love to jump/fly to very high places so I made something for them...
Do not judge how bad I am at making things!

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I'll get pics soon

 

[PippinTheChicken]

1- corner drinker
2- chick crumb feeder\ popcorn feeder
3- eating and drinking area
4- swing and sand bath
5- chicken ladder
6- roof

the corner drinker is located... you guessed it! the corner of the run. It has some stones around it to help the little ones reach, and to file nails and beaks.

this was originally just a feeder for chick crumb, but my annoying rooster ate the crumbs out of the top (I lost the lid!!!). I filled the top with chicken popcorn to stop the rooster eating the chick food.

I have my new feeder in the centre of the run so the whole flock can gather around to eat. I have another drinker near it. and another feeder on bricks (to stop them kicking dirt in it) a bit further away.

I have this sand pit for foraging, playing and bathing. I have also raised the swing so Pippin's chicks can enjoy it.

Okay, Okay. I know it's lopsided, I know it's not straight.
As you can tell I'm an amazing builder!!!
I made this "chicken ladder" for Pippin's polish chicks to roost on. They love to jump and roost in high places so I decided to make this.

this is the roof! I replaced the sagging cover with some plastic boards, it doesn't sag anymore. I have a fly trap (sugar-water thing) to get rid of flies during the summer. That ribbon you see hanging there is a lettuce hanger for the chickens to jump to get lettuce.