NY chicken lover!!!!

[NookNook01]

Wait.... Trap Bait????

 

[stonykill]

They just kill to kill?? They're not eating anything.....hope I don't have those around here!!! Better start target practicing!!!!

they kill everything they can. Take a few bites out of the neck of one or 2 and then go away.

Wait.... Trap Bait????

I set traps every night to catch predators. This little jerk will be coon/possum bait.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

You do realize the longer you take on that coop the more chickens I'll put in the box "before you come", don't you? I'll tape it shut so you won't know til you get home and open it.

this is what your husband will look like.

This is what your son will look like. and this is you !

I am already somewhat sheepish about how my flock of only 4 has climbed to 8...or 9? Don't encourage me, Rancher!!!!!

I have never understood the 12' high coops. The old folks had it right in coop design. Chickens will try to roost as high as they can and coops get dusty and cobwebby. The higher the ceiling the harder to clean.

I had to block all the rafters so the girls wouldn't roost so high up. When I had to get to them at night to worm or dust them I couldn't . Not to mention get hurt coming down in the morning. There is always the risk of a bruised or broken leg.

Plus the heat that rises is not near them to keep them warm.

It's the storage section that is high, not so much the coop. They are two separate structures that share a wall (this shared wall will be where the nesting boxes are accessible for the hens on one side, and me on the other. Our grade made things a bit tough, but also because I wanted the pen fully enclosed, architect-hubby had some specific challenges to figure into the coop structure design. I'm planning on having a ceiling in the coop, so that the birds can't get into the rafters.

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

That's one of the problems I keep haveing. I have plywood. 43x45 inches and I don't know if I want to make one long coop that is short or one tall enough to walk in. Wasted head space for a walk in but easier cleaning. I have a good screen door and some 5x5ft bay windows that could be used for a tall coop. Also trying to find a way to get it done cheaper.

This is exactly why I required a stand-up size coop (for me)! I wanted to be able to clean it as quickly and comfortably as possible. My back is bad enough as it is! We'll have a poop-chute type door, too, where there will be a trailer bucket waiting below. I can just push old, soiled bedding out into the cart. I'll be using the deep litter method...


TOB

 

[Breella]

My job interview was great but I don't think I got it. *sigh* now off to build some coop space!

 

[rancher hicks]

no I mean lower the temp. If one raised the temp 5 degree's a week the brooder temp would be 105 degree's at week 3 and that would be silly

. I mean lower the temp, you mean raise the heatlamp, which is the same thing.

Sorry my bad. I thought you meant raise the heat light. I'm old I get confused easily.

 

[rancher hicks]

I am already somewhat sheepish about how my flock of only 4 has climbed to 8...or 9? Don't encourage me, Rancher!!!!!

It's the storage section that is high, not so much the coop. They are two separate structures that share a wall (this shared wall will be where the nesting boxes are accessible for the hens on one side, and me on the other. Our grade made things a bit tough, but also because I wanted the pen fully enclosed, architect-hubby had some specific challenges to figure into the coop structure design. I'm planning on having a ceiling in the coop, so that the birds can't get into the rafters.

TOB

I quite understand. I had storage on one side too. Now it's coop space and storage is moved to the garage. You have however given me an idea of how to lower the ceiling and use the space for something else. Hopefully not chickens. Maybe stack the wood shavings up there. I buy when they go on sale so I have about 7 - 10.

Country Max still has the chick starter on sale for $1 off a 50# bag. The BOSS $19. Shavings usually go on sale once or twice a year.

 

[rancher hicks]

This is exactly why I required a stand-up size coop (for me)! I wanted to be able to clean it as quickly and comfortably as possible. My back is bad enough as it is! We'll have a poop-chute type door, too, where there will be a trailer bucket waiting below. I can just push old, soiled bedding out into the cart. I'll be using the deep litter method...


TOB

that sounds like a good idea. My coop is to low for that, but it would be nice. The crate coop is easy to clean without bending but not very big.

 

[JLaw]

My job interview was great but I don't think I got it. *sigh* now off to build some coop space!

Best of luck to you hope you get it.

Daughter goes home today woot just hope she don't hold me to the new chicks I said I would get since these would grow while she was in hospital. Lol or the bunny wife told her she would get. I defy don't want no bunny I didn't sign on for that one lol. Don't know why wife wants a bunny she already has two lap dogs that I have to take care of...

Jlaw

 

[Pyxis]

Today has been AWESOME weather-wise. I've been outside building the coop for a lady who bought chicks off me, and it's going great. She'll be paying me $400 for it, so I'm not arguing. I also got to take Lacie, my little (LOL not really) four week old gosling outside while I worked. I love having her follow me around. The chickens could not figure out what she was. Now I'm taking a break from coop building while the drill charges up. Can't wait to get back out there, though - it's so gorgeous out.

Also, does anyone know where I can get some nice BCM hens? I really want those awesome chocolately eggs but I'm having a rotten time finding them.