NY chicken lover!!!!

[horsekeeper]

For those of you thinking about building a modest sized chicken house, here is the link to the plans I used as a start. The foundation was changed to landscape timbers and the walls are framed like a standard wall. The windows are playhouse windows off eBay. Lots of good tips in this plan and pictures of what it should look like. My power saw is a compact contractor's framing model for under $100 that has a smaller blade and is lightweight for old carpenters with arthritis. Perfect for us ladies as it is smaller to get a good grip and light enough to have full control. Still has plenty of power to cut even the timbers.

The link: http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_1.html

 

[Cass]

For those of you thinking about building a modest sized chicken house, here is the link to the plans I used as a start. The foundation was changed to landscape timbers and the walls are framed like a standard wall. The windows are playhouse windows off eBay. Lots of good tips in this plan and pictures of what it should look like. My power saw is a compact contractor's framing model for under $100 that has a smaller blade and is lightweight for old carpenters with arthritis. Perfect for us ladies as it is smaller to get a good grip and light enough to have full control. Still has plenty of power to cut even the timbers.

The link: http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_1.html

I have the Craftsman 19.2 volt cordless circular saw. It's wonderful....light, small blade, easy to handle....and, if you are building out in the yard, doesn't require stringing lead cords (so no risk of hitting cord when cutting either). HOWEVER have the guy/gal at the store show you how to set the depth of the cut before you leave the store. I spent 2 years cutting one side of the 2x4 then turning it over and cutting the same line on the other side cuz I didn't know that there was an adjustment for cutting depth. DUH!!!

 

[rancher hicks]

Oh I did, thats why I kept saying I'm not happy with it, it definitely won't last and I will have to purchase something more sturdy. LOL I keep seeing those A-Frame coops and I'm tempted to buy one this weekend. Especially seeing how small this new silkie is. I'm thinking of keeping this silkie roo with the others since he isn't as tiny and keeping this hen and the roo I'm getting from Adoravachick in the new coop.

What I suggest you do is take a 2x2 or 2x4 and cut it to the same height and use screws this time. Put one in each corner of the inside. Alternate the screws from the outside on each corner and screw into the 2x2 / 2x4. Does this makes sense?

Your design is very good. It just needs a little modification. What thickness did you use for the bottom?

 

[TwistOfFate]

I sent them a message also....suggesting that they should have quarentined the bird until they were sure it was not sick ....HOWEVER quarentine does not prevent all illness transmission....many birds become immune to germs in their flock but continue to be "carriers" of that germ for life. One of the only ways to make sure you don't lose your non-immune flock to such problem is to NEVER bring an adult bird into your flock. Get eggs from the person who's chickens you admire and hatch them yourself or get day olds from their stock that were incubator hatched.

Several people on this thread never bring adult birds onto their property for just this reason. I've done it...been really really lucky....but I know the risks and could lose my entire flock some day for my lax bio-security....soon I plan to keep a closed flock....but right now I am still aquireing the breeds I want....and may have to start over again if I lose the "bio-security" lottery.

I think from now on that's exactly what I'm going to do, avoid chickens and just get eggs. I think Martha is okay, maybe the chage in feed is causing the dirty feathers. I'm not so sure about the person that posted on CL, it sounds serious.

I guess I assumed that given the number of birds this person was selling and his age, that I was safe. Next time I will listen to my gut feelings more, as ther were a couple of answers that gave me pause.

Here's hoping both Martha an the cl poster's chickens are all okay!

I will post here if I see any other signs.

 

[rancher hicks]

I think from now on that's exactly what I'm going to do, avoid chickens and just get eggs. I think Martha is okay, maybe the chage in feed is causing the dirty feathers. I'm not so sure about the person that posted on CL, it sounds serious.

I guess I assumed that given the number of birds this person was selling and his age, that I was safe. Next time I will listen to my gut feelings more, as ther were a couple of answers that gave me pause.

Here's hoping both Martha an the cl poster's chickens are all okay!

I will post here if I see any other signs.

IMO one of the biggest killers of chickens is stress. Your hen has been stressed and I would keep her quarantined and calm. A change of feed might result in a dirty butt. Give her a wash and because you will have her by herself you can monitor her poops.

Just like you or I, what chickens eat can affect their poops. Right now I suspect my girls have eaten to many tomatoes, but I'm watching them and reducing the amount they get.

I was at the fair and it was more like a sale than a show. I also look at the owner. If they're unkempt I suspect they don't give their birds much consideration either. Many of the birds at the fair were not in good condition and I doubt the fair had anything to do with it.

Never buy out of sympathy. I know it's hard, but unless it's a rare breed you can't get elsewhere pass on it.

I wish you well and hope she's ok,

Rancher

 

[TwistOfFate]

IMO one of the biggest killers of chickens is stress. Your hen has been stressed and I would keep her quarantined and calm. A change of feed might result in a dirty butt. Give her a wash and because you will have her by herself you can monitor her poops.

Just like you or I, what chickens eat can affect their poops. Right now I suspect my girls have eaten to many tomatoes, but I'm watching them and reducing the amount they get.

I was at the fair and it was more like a sale than a show. I also look at the owner. If they're unkempt I suspect they don't give their birds much consideration either. Many of the birds at the fair were not in good condition and I doubt the fair had anything to do with it.

Never buy out of sympathy. I know it's hard, but unless it's a rare breed you can't get elsewhere pass on it.

I wish you well and hope she's ok,

Rancher

Thank you for your advice, kind words, and patience with newbie mistakes and pitfalls! I learn something new every day from you and others here, and am truly thankful.

 

[armorfirelady]

I saw her at the fair. There was another Partridge rock there as well but she had cloudy eyes & white stuff on her butt. She didnt look well at all. I couldnt believe they had her at the fair or that they had a for sale sign on her.

She is a beautiful hen. I went looking for the partridge rocks because I wanted to see how big mine were going to get.....My girls still have a lot of growing to go

 

[armorfirelady]

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/grd/3258519482.html

I saw a partridge Rock Hen he was selling at the state fair and it had cloudy eyes & pasty butt. I couldnt believe he had a for sale sign tag on it. I was also wondering if the hens near her would get sick to?

 

[Lynzi777]

Thats so sad...I remember witnessing the same types of things years ago when I was in the rabbit hobby. I raised Holland Lops and Jersey Woolys and would go along with friends to the fairs/shows. And I'm glad I did always attend them with someone who was knowledgeable enough to inform me who to stay away from and who were the reputable breeders. There was this one woman who would attend and always have at least 10 rabbits with her - mostly that was selling. She was more a rabbit hoarder than show quality breeder. I just couldn't believe they would let people in with rabbits that were sneezing, didn't look all that great and here they would be passing it on to whatever rabbits were close by. Chickens I can see being a little harder to tell whether or not they are actually sick or carrying disease other than if they are dirty, or have cloudy eyes/pasty butts - but if thats the case why on earth would they let them in?!? They should have people checking this stuff upon entry!

 

[Lynzi777]

What I suggest you do is take a 2x2 or 2x4 and cut it to the same height and use screws this time. Put one in each corner of the inside. Alternate the screws from the outside on each corner and screw into the 2x2 / 2x4. Does this makes sense?

Your design is very good. It just needs a little modification. What thickness did you use for the bottom?

Oh am I so done building myself! LOL I'm on to shopping for a new one, that will now hold 4 silkies seeing as I how I have a silkie roo (that I thought was a hen), the new silkie hen from Tab, and I'm still getting the roo from Adoravachick because it's just so cute, I can't pass it up. I now want another hen. LOL There's no sense in having two roos for one hen, I might as well add another hen. And that is it!!! I will be done after that, I swear. I cannot have any more chickens!