NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

If I am recalling your previous pics correctly you are using a kiddie pool. I have years of experience with those things. They break under pressure, so I would suggest a hole several inches under the top level to allow water to get out before the pressure builds up and causes a crack in the pool.

If I were able to make such a wonderful pool area for my birds I would be out there with the drill, large width drill bit and some wood or rocks....then I would drill a line of holes about 3 inches below the top lip of the pool so the water can flow out. Once I saw where it was hitting the ground I would put the wood or rocks (or both) right where the water was hitting the ground to slow/stop erosion. My own water fall. I would be in heaven, the ducks would have somewhere to swim, the chickens would be eating the worms and other yummies the wet ground brought to the surface. I take a chair out there and sit around watching the flock's antics.

Ok, now I am officially jealous.

Well that was a thought I had once I saw it was draining off the top and in the back, back into the woods. It's up on a "platform" on a sheet of wood I found out there practically buried in the mud. I dragged that out, raked up as much mud and whatever else debris I could to raise it up on the right hand side to make it as level as possible. after seeing how high it was on the right, I thought of making a "stairwell" from the top of the pool back down to the muddy ground. My only problem with that is, this ground is constantly wet and muddy so it's bound to sink over time. But I love the thought of creating my own waterfall. With all the plants growing over in that area, it would look so pretty. My husband is off tomorrow so I'll have to venture out to lowes and see what I can find that would work well as far as pavers go. I think I could make something without having to spend a lot of $$$.

 

[miquwid]

Good morning. I had a terrible time with foxes a year ago, but things are better. I still don't have a gun, but I did mention to neighbors that there was a fox problem, and heard gunshots periodically. Also I saw two dead foxes on rt 20, which is half a mile away. And I bought the poultry net electric fence. Life seems better now. I'd like more netting...but I better make some money first.

This weekend is our 40th anniversary. Yikes that's a long time. Many couples take trips or buy beautiful things for their homes, or major jewelry...my husband came home with the perfect purchase to celebrate. A giant rototiller for the tractor! Yay!

Congrats on the Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the info I have red pullets I went to tractor supply to get a new wheel for my mower and my daughter heard the chicks and ran over climbed the pen looked at me and said I want birdies and now we have a few 13week old pullets

Hahahaha kids, so are they red star hybrids?

I never put it in anymore until June 1st. Got burned (ok frosted) too many years.

Good to know I put everything in, in April but I had no clue what I'm doing but now I will do better next year.

Well I got ahold of the cam and took some pics of coop for the window issues and cause I was bored and I have flooded the fourms with pics in a few days.

east facing wall plan on putting next boxes on out side to right of the window


north facing wall the side I had rain problems you can see part of window to left of boarded up part



west facing wall



south facing wall that window i'm thinking of plexiglassing and putting some smaller ones down lower so sun can come in.



inside the coop right side window is the boarded up window.



just chick food water treat holder and little dust bathing pan



Still have some painting to do and some window covers to make and plexiglass windows to make and the nest box.

Wow looks nice I can't wait to see you add all the rest!

 

[marquisella]

Caught a young adult raccoon last night...He has only eaten eggs so far, but I'm sure it won't be long before he decided chickens looked good.

 

[Cass]

Good to know I put everything in, in April but I had no clue what I'm doing but now I will do better next year.

You didn't do too bad. Last frost date for your county is April 20 - May 10. Closer to May 10th is better for soft plants. Seeds and "cold hardy" plants closer to April 20th. Cold Hardy plants would be things like cauliflower, broccoli, pansies and cabbage. Peas LOVE cold weather, and should be put in as soon as the soil can be worked. Hot weather makes the peas unsweet. (hey, that's not a word, but you get my meaning, I hope) Soft plants are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and most flowers. I put radishes in early, lettuce in later. Spinach and Swiss chard like cooler temps. Beans and corn need warmer soil. What else are you trying to grow? I have been gardening since I was 5. (so for 10 years or so.

) I love to share my experience.

 

[stonykill]

Caught a young adult raccoon last night...He has only eaten eggs so far, but I'm sure it won't be long before he decided chickens looked good.

 

[Glasshen]

Gardens have been frustrating some years. I tried metal fencing and everything got in to nibble. Planted corn and had a war with the crows. Deer have munched from time to time. I am very pleased this year with that fine mesh deer fencing. I have made low barriers with it to keep Earl and the girls out of my gardens close to the house, and so far so good. I have it around one raised bed, and that is working too, no bunnies, no chickens. And the teens have an area in the pen that the adults can't get in. I like that deer mesh.

 

[Nuttyfrom6kids]

Cute! I've got a construction zone of my own, Lynzi! Can't wait 'til it's all cleaned up, but things are still a work in progress, though functioning. I noticed my chickens lying almost on their side in the sun, and at first I got scared, but realized they're just lounging. LOL!

TOB

Glad to see my hens aren't the only ones who are lying almost on their side in the sun I also got scared until I went to go in the run to check her and as soon as I opened the door she got up. Have seen her do it numerous times since then so I quit worrying.

 

[JLaw]

Well just got back from home depot got some 2x3's for a smaller coop just doing a 4x8. I've got chicken math all over the place and I have more coming in than I truly have room for. So I figure I would build a coop for the 2 silkies and 4 bantams. leaves me 22 chickens in big coop once I get all my chickens from people. Still room for a few more chickens hmm think I will hold off for a bit unless I find some auto sexing pullet breeds so I can try to auto sex some ee's. Still need to learn more about genetics of chicken breeding before I try that though.

jlaw

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

I'm so glad I'm not in the freeze warning! Most everything is in pots right now, brussel sprouts are in the ground but I could cover them with plastic if I had to. Took the dog out and closed the chickens up for the night, the dog kept "pointing" into the woods (she's a boxer but has pointed at animals before). Sure enough, I take her back in the house and I see a big fat raccoon waddling across the yard. I need a night scope.

BUT, on the upside, the remaining girls decided to all sleep in the same coop tonight.

It was way too quiet today...I miss the crowing. IF someone in the Rochester area has a spare, NICE, Jersey Giant or true Ameraucana Roo (preferably black) I might be interested in a few weeks...

 

[armorfirelady]

Good to know I put everything in, in April but I had no clue what I'm doing but now I will do better next year.

My garden was put in almost a month ago for cold weather crops. My

You didn't do too bad.   Last frost date for your county is April 20 - May 10.   Closer to May 10th is better for soft plants.   Seeds and "cold hardy" plants closer to April 20th.  Cold Hardy plants would be things like cauliflower, broccoli, pansies and cabbage.  Peas LOVE cold weather, and should be put in as soon as the soil can be worked.  Hot weather makes the peas unsweet.  (hey, that's not a word, but you get my meaning, I hope)  Soft plants are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and most flowers.  I put radishes in early, lettuce in later.  Spinach and Swiss chard like cooler temps.  Beans and corn need warmer soil.  What else are you trying to grow?  I have been gardening since I was 5. (so for 10 years or so.    )  I love to share my experience.

I put in my cold weather plants about a month ago. The Swiss chard didn't do a thing but the lettuce, beets and potatoes are doing great !! About 2 weeks ago I put in the warm weather crops. While they are doing ok these nights in the 40s have not made them happy lol

Have you ever grown potatoes? I planted mine according to directions and keep billing them with soil but these suckers are like 18 inches and I am running out of material to keep billing them. Apparently they like the compost made of DL, horse manure & peat moss lol. I actually took a pic of me hoping someone could tell me how long I have to keep hilling them up. I dug about 6 inch trench when I planted them