NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

Well all my family is coming up today and instead of cleaning my house what am I doing?? Cleaning the chicken coop! Because you know, everyone that comes up will want to see how clean I keep my coops - NOT! Those chickens just lost their last chance at having water inside their coop. NO MORE! I could not believe how wet everything was inside there this morning when I opened up the nest box to look for eggs. So while I removed all the wet shavings and replaced them with dry, they all took off and took cover inside the duck house. Did I mention it is doing nothing outside right now? No rain, no snow, and they're hiding in there like a bunch of babies! Well this of course made my KC duck upset. She was out there quacking her head off about it all. I'm not sure if she was really that upset they were in HER house or if she was upset she couldn't get in there to lay an egg...Do ducks sing a "duck song" when they ready to lay an egg like chickens do? She's still out there quacking away and everyone is back in their rightful homes.

Alright well back to cleaning up before everyone gets up here today. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!!!!

 

[AQHAchick22]

Good morning! Hope everyone up north is safe with all the snow, we're just getting a ton of rain here...
I've decided that I need to move the 3 hens and a rooster out of the small coop they are in. It's a small store brand one and kind of flimsy. I was letting everyone out this morning and noticed that the fencing around the small coop had been messed with last night. It looks like some sort of animal was chewing and pulling at the fence (I probably should have paid attention to the dogs when they were going nuts last night). I'm pretty sure it could get into that little coop if it tried hard enough. Now it's time to do some moving around of the coops...ugh at least tomorrow is supposed to be decent weather.

 

[rancher hicks]

Good morning! Hope everyone up north is safe with all the snow, we're just getting a ton of rain here...

I've decided that I need to move the 3 hens and a rooster out of the small coop they are in. It's a small store brand one and kind of flimsy. I was letting everyone out this morning and noticed that the fencing around the small coop had been messed with last night. It looks like some sort of animal was chewing and pulling at the fence (I probably should have paid attention to the dogs when they were going nuts last night). I'm pretty sure it could get into that little coop if it tried hard enough. Now it's time to do some moving around of the coops...ugh at least tomorrow is supposed to be decent weather.

This is why I've never bought a coop. I personally see more sense in buying one of the garden sheds they sell for the same amount of money. Lord have mercy, at least with the garden shed when the time comes and you're not into chickens you've got a nice garden shed. Not a coop that can't be used for anything but chickens. Also God forbid you decide to sell you have a selling point for new owners who may not be into chickens. Maybe they want to use it for Silkies.

Plus I scored some thick ply wood at HD a while back and I can build a 4' X 4' coop with that. YOU can also get some nice ply wood too , if you're patient and stop by often. At 51 cents a piece now you can't go wrong. Most is 2X4' pieces and 2X3's and other stuff is at least 48". It might be off but chickens don't care. Shoot most of my garden beds are culls from HD. Of course for me it's right around the corner, but if there's a lumber place near you, you might find some deals.

Anyhow for $100 bucks or more those TSC coops things are a waste. Especially after you get Morehens disease, and you will.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
I found a couple

 

[Lynzi777]

Seems as tho my KC duck WAS upset about not getting into the coop to lay her egg because I walked outside a little bit ago to find an egg of hers in the snow! I guess ducks really will lay an egg anywhere they please!

 

[armorfirelady]

Sally you had asked awhile ago how the hoop cops would stand up in snow.

We we got about 6 inches of heavy, wet snow last night and the coop was still standing. I did brush it off this morning before work because it was still snowing. I am guessing if the sun was shining it would be enough to melt it so it fell off but there is no sun here today

 

[AQHAchick22]

Quote:
The problem was my dad built me 2 big coops, that can definitely function as sheds. Though I was in need of a 3rd as a "isolation" coop and my dad refused to build me a 3rd...haha so I spent the $120 on a smaller temporary one. I agree they are a waste but unfortunately sometimes they are the best option when short on time...

 

[rancher hicks]

Sally you had asked awhile ago how the hoop cops would stand up in snow.

We we got about 6 inches of heavy, wet snow last night and the coop was still standing. I did brush it off this morning before work because it was still snowing. I am guessing if the sun was shining it would be enough to melt it so it fell off but there is no sun here today

Well of course they'll take the snow. I've had my large one for two years. Piece of cake. I just give the run part a little shake and the snow slides right off.

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Shoot, for that you could build a small hoop or thereabouts. I'm not sure if I still have his number but a while ago I bought a couple of crates from a guy at Bitzers. This one I got cust me $25. I've since added a run. I also got a smaller one in the room off the garage that I use for quarantine.

 

[rancher hicks]

In other news, I'm considering ordering BR eggs from Jeremy, but they're $45 Plus shipping. His chicks are $10 each, plus and a minimum order of 10. So I figure about $150. Anyone interested in sharing the ride? I really just need a couple of roosters and a hen. I can work from there. I didn't ask him about the sexing of the chicks since they're sexable at hatching.

If I have to go it alone, I won't be selling chicks from them at all. I have a friend who's going to show me how to process so next year I expect I'll be doing a lot and not having to give roosters away.