NY chicken lover!!!!

[Tough Old Bird]

TOB how' s that coop coming.

Hi Rancher...

Today, despite a lengthy eye-care app't for my mom in Dewitt, kid-related obligations and the godforsaken wind, we still managed to make a little more progress on new coop:

• Hubby and I finished roofing the storage unit (taller section)
• I emptied a truck-load of gravel (shovel by shovel, sheesh!) onto the floor of the storage unit; we'll mix and pour concrete to lay on top.
• Hubby cut out one of the windows openings in prep for the window placement

We discussed how we'll do the ceiling in the coop (to keep the hens off the rafters). At first we thought my idea to simply hang and stretch chicken wire as the ceiling was a good one, but then I thought we would lose some heat to the rafters in the winter. To hang a real ceiling made me worry about ventilation issues, but Brian thought we'd cut some ventilation "doors" or flaps into the ceiling which could be opened whenever extra venting was necessary &/or to help some heat escape in summer.

Here's the latest picture:
(the girls' section is on the left and is 6 x 10. Because of the grade and me wanting to avoid getting deep litter bedding into the storage area, we are building the floor of the storage section 6" above the coop floor. I'll have to step down into the coop from the storage section through a man door. Does that make sense?

When we get some of the materials and tools out of the inside of the coop, where we're storing stuff for now to keep it handy, I'll take some pictures to maybe ask for some advice on where to place roosts, etc.

I think we've gotten through the more time-consuming and troublesome stuff.............and things should move better. We need good weather and some good luck.


TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

Well just one chick has hatched, the rest are quitters. So now I have one lonely,adorable chick in the brooder all by her self

she sounds so sad! I put a stuffed animal in with her but she don't really care. She had something wrong with one of her feet and I'm hoping it will be fine. This has been a stressful hatch! I'm not sure I want to ever incubate again!

You need to come and see me. I have some young enough to go with it.

 

[Lynzi777]

Hi Rancher...

Today, despite a lengthy eye-care app't for my mom in Dewitt, kid-related obligations and the godforsaken wind, we still managed to make a little more progress on new coop:

• Hubby and I finished roofing the storage unit (taller section)
• I emptied a truck-load of gravel (shovel by shovel, sheesh!) onto the floor of the storage unit; we'll mix and pour concrete to lay on top.
• Hubby cut out one of the windows openings in prep for the window placement

We discussed how we'll do the ceiling in the coop (to keep the hens off the rafters).  At first we thought my idea to simply hang and stretch chicken wire as the ceiling was a good one, but then I thought we would lose some heat to the rafters in the winter.  To hang a real ceiling made me worry about ventilation issues, but Brian thought we'd cut some ventilation "doors" or flaps into the ceiling which could be opened whenever extra venting was necessary &/or to help some heat escape in summer. 

Here's the latest picture:
(the girls' section is on the left and is 6 x 10.  Because of the grade and me wanting to avoid getting deep litter bedding into the storage area, we are building the floor of the storage section 6" above the coop floor.  I'll have to step down into the coop from the storage section through a man door.  Does that make sense?

When we get some of the materials and tools out of the inside of the coop, where we're storing stuff for now to keep it handy, I'll take some pictures to maybe ask for some advice on where to place roosts, etc.

I think we've gotten through the more time-consuming and troublesome stuff.............and things should move better.  We need good weather and some good luck.


TOB

OMG, I LOVE this!!!! I need to hire someone to come build one for me. I'm getting super jealous I don't have something this big! LOL

 

[rancher hicks]

What about using VetRap to wrap it? You could wrap it using thin strips so that the toes are in the proper placement. Look at vids for bumblefoot surgery to see how to wrap it between the toes.

You know I was just thinking. What about using some heavy card board like tape and making a duck type foot shape. Stick the foot to the tape and then make one to go on top of the foot. Though I must confess I usually put them down. I'm not home enough to be a nurse.

 

[miquwid]

Hi Rancher...

Today, despite a lengthy eye-care app't for my mom in Dewitt, kid-related obligations and the godforsaken wind, we still managed to make a little more progress on new coop:

• Hubby and I finished roofing the storage unit (taller section)
• I emptied a truck-load of gravel (shovel by shovel, sheesh!) onto the floor of the storage unit; we'll mix and pour concrete to lay on top.
• Hubby cut out one of the windows openings in prep for the window placement

We discussed how we'll do the ceiling in the coop (to keep the hens off the rafters). At first we thought my idea to simply hang and stretch chicken wire as the ceiling was a good one, but then I thought we would lose some heat to the rafters in the winter. To hang a real ceiling made me worry about ventilation issues, but Brian thought we'd cut some ventilation "doors" or flaps into the ceiling which could be opened whenever extra venting was necessary &/or to help some heat escape in summer.

Here's the latest picture:
(the girls' section is on the left and is 6 x 10. Because of the grade and me wanting to avoid getting deep litter bedding into the storage area, we are building the floor of the storage section 6" above the coop floor. I'll have to step down into the coop from the storage section through a man door. Does that make sense?

When we get some of the materials and tools out of the inside of the coop, where we're storing stuff for now to keep it handy, I'll take some pictures to maybe ask for some advice on where to place roosts, etc.

I think we've gotten through the more time-consuming and troublesome stuff.............and things should move better. We need good weather and some good luck.


TOB

Wow that is amazing great job!

 

[Breella]

I was just woken up by the squabbles again and I am wondering, is it normal for 3-4 week old chicks to be DIGGING in their brooder?! I mean throwing around the pine, ripping apart the newspaper and generally acting like they're scratching for bugs at this age.

 

[rancher hicks]

Hi Rancher...

Today, despite a lengthy eye-care app't for my mom in Dewitt, kid-related obligations and the godforsaken wind, we still managed to make a little more progress on new coop:

• Hubby and I finished roofing the storage unit (taller section)
• I emptied a truck-load of gravel (shovel by shovel, sheesh!) onto the floor of the storage unit; we'll mix and pour concrete to lay on top.
• Hubby cut out one of the windows openings in prep for the window placement

We discussed how we'll do the ceiling in the coop (to keep the hens off the rafters). At first we thought my idea to simply hang and stretch chicken wire as the ceiling was a good one, but then I thought we would lose some heat to the rafters in the winter. To hang a real ceiling made me worry about ventilation issues, but Brian thought we'd cut some ventilation "doors" or flaps into the ceiling which could be opened whenever extra venting was necessary &/or to help some heat escape in summer.

Here's the latest picture:
(the girls' section is on the left and is 6 x 10. Because of the grade and me wanting to avoid getting deep litter bedding into the storage area, we are building the floor of the storage section 6" above the coop floor. I'll have to step down into the coop from the storage section through a man door. Does that make sense?

When we get some of the materials and tools out of the inside of the coop, where we're storing stuff for now to keep it handy, I'll take some pictures to maybe ask for some advice on where to place roosts, etc.

I think we've gotten through the more time-consuming and troublesome stuff.............and things should move better. We need good weather and some good luck.


TOB

I did the chicken wire thing. Not good. Cob webs hanging and to messy. I'm considering using the black landscape material. I figure it would breath for ventilation and help hold the heat closer to where they are. It can be bought in sheets and stapled to the rafters.

 

[KateBean]

I was just woken up by the squabbles again and I am wondering, is it normal for 3-4 week old chicks to be DIGGING in their brooder?! I mean throwing around the pine, ripping apart the newspaper and generally acting like they're scratching for bugs at this age.

I have 2-3 week old chicks and they do the same thing. I switched the shaving to sand and they love it!

 

[mderby48]

Thank you everyone. I just did some research and made my chick a boot. She looks silly but I think she is pleased with herself as she's been running around in the brooder! LOL. She is also a lot quieter!
Rancher~whats the youngest you have? I called Tsc. In Fulton and they have Dark Brahmas that just came in today. They are just a few days old and I already have light and buff brahmas so why not get dark too?! Someone may be coming to look at my horse tomorrow, I'm not sure what time so I may not be able to go anywhere :/
On a good note I finally got to see the pigeon coop that was given to us today. We are trying to figure out how we're gonna get it home. It is bigger than my husband guessed, 6x12! It must have held a lot of pigeons! It hasn't been cleaned in quite some time so Its pretty gross. I can't wait to get it home and start working on it! Also my current coop is getting a metal roof on it this weekend since the roof is leaky right now. My chickens are so spoiled! Haha.

 

[marquisella]

...

This is her..

The red light stinks but she is black and white. You can see the one foot is like curled up. Has anyone seen anything like this? Does she stand a chance?