NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

the flock is not enjoying the season.

You need a nice hoop run attached to that thing. It's very nice though. My chickens have been out.

I noticed lots of foot prints around all the coops this morning. Not rabbits or cat for sure. Visited each coop except the one inside the fencing. I am not happy about that.

I've noticed a rabbit a couple of evenings. I usually have one under the wooden coop, but not the last couple of years.

I haven't seen any squirrels but I've been dealing with them, as they get in the coops. If they'd leave the chickens alone I'd leave them alone. They've chewed through far to many of my jugs of feed. I've tried to get replacements but have been unsuccessful. We no longer have cats.

 

[rancher hicks]

I do have a question.

My chickens in This coop. (Pic is from past years)



Have been running across the yard and hiding under this "Not used" coop. Anyone know why? I have had trouble with a squirrel getting in the above coop. I've mentioned the problem I've been having with squirrels but they've not been a bother of late.

 

[jennianne]

You can get rolls of heavier grade plastic at Home Depot / Lowes ..I would leave the roof as it is . will help the snow melt off faster .
If you put the clear stuff around the sides it will let enough light in ...for them .Your setup looks too dark to me ..
An easy fix to adding protein to snacks is just buy a bag of sunflower seeds ..& mix it in they are 16 % protein

My avi is a B&W pic, maybe that's making it look like the run is darker than it really is?This is a normal picture for comparison.



The sides of my run are 4X4 posts covered in 1/2 inch hardware mesh (buried 12 inches). I have plastic sheeting over the 3 1/2 sides that get the most wind right now and 1/2 side as well as under the coop un-sheeted for ventilation.

Unfortunately, the rain/slush last night was a little too much for the way I had put the tarp up so today we had to do some repairs. We went and got five 12 foot 2X4's and ran them east to west across the run on a 1.5 inch per foot (approx) slope. We got the roof panels also (white), but had to call it a day before installing them as it was getting dark and the snow was coming down heavy. So we repositioned the tarp and made it taut to keep precipitation from pooling.

Adding SF seeds is an excellent idea, TY.

 

[Glasshen]

I had taken a video of when I opened the door this morning.usually they fly out to the bowls of food, but this morning the three Roos and maybe three hens came out slowly. The rest wouldn't even set foot out for their big meal of the day. But I couldn't get site to load it. And it was not comfortable to watch since I changed directions several times...kind of seasick watching it.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

I do have a question.

My chickens in This coop. (Pic is from past years)



Have been running across the yard and hiding under this "Not used" coop. Anyone know why? I have had trouble with a squirrel getting in the above coop. I've mentioned the problem I've been having with squirrels but they've not been a bother of late.

My girls did something similar last year. They had a nice cozy coop to hang out in during the worst days and when I would go out to check on them they would always be in the small duck hut huddled together. it may be because it is a smaller and they feel good under the small area. maybe there are little tid bits of something that the have find under there left over from summer..or perhaps they have discovered a stash that the squirrels/chipmunks have stashed under there.

 

[rancher hicks]

My girls did something similar last year. They had a nice cozy coop to hang out in during the worst days and when I would go out to check on them they would always be in the small duck hut huddled together. it may be because it is a smaller and they feel good under the small area. maybe there are little tid bits of something that the have find under there left over from summer..or perhaps they have discovered a stash that the squirrels/chipmunks have stashed under there.

Well it is a puzzle. Most of them are roosters I think. One hen did make the trek back to lay her egg. Perhaps you are right.

If I can move it to the other side next year I will add a small covered run. They may not feel safe with it all open. The small shelter I made might not be enough.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: Your Welcome ! its like candy to them ..they will love them

 

[Gramma Chick]

I had taken a video of when I opened the door this morning.usually they fly out to the bowls of food, but this morning the three Roos and maybe three hens came out slowly. The rest wouldn't even set foot out for their big meal of the day. But I couldn't get site to load it. And it was not comfortable to watch since I changed directions several times...kind of seasick watching it.

Here was my view this afternoon ..when I let mine out

 

[Gramma Chick]

Well it is a puzzle. Most of them are roosters I think. One hen did make the trek back to lay her egg. Perhaps you are right.

Are they dust bathing ? mine will walk through the snow to get under the deck to dust bathe

 

[Gramma Chick]

WELL I Decided to keep the duckies ...I figured out how to get them all in the same coop.

Duckies in their cage on the bottom .4 month chickens on top ...

with a board & plastic on top of duck cage .
And a crib railing on one side ( it is straighter now ) & a dog Gate in front ..big chickens on the side


Duckies Had fun in the snow today ..I didnt have to shovel for them ...they plowed through to the creek .


Splash down