Official Squatch Watchers

[Sassysouth]

I wish I had a better chicken set up. I became an accidental chicken keeper so was not prepared like I thought I was. When moving plans are closer I’m going to start a thread about coops. I’m not sure if I’ll have to retro fit or start from scratch. But I want to ask people what they like and don’t like about their own set up. Living with it shows how well it works. (Or doesn’t)

I would like to think most coops don’t look like the Taj Mahals we see on Pintrest Or on our articles. I want a fancy, painted coop that looks like a house with lots of room and a huge half covered run. I have redone the inside of my coop several times, because it is 6x4 and I have gone from 4 chickens to a final count of 15!

Just speaking in general (and to myself), the internet has an endless supply of ideas and posts. If we are not careful, we can get so caught up in the perfection of 1 picture (which never tells the whole story) that we are not thankful for what we already have. It can be a challenge in today’s world where everything is so abundant at our finder tips.

 

[staceyj]

I would like to think most coops don’t look like the Taj Mahals we see on Pintrest Or on our articles. I want a fancy, painted coop that looks like a house with lots of room and a huge half covered run. I have redone the inside of my coop several times, because it is 6x4 and I have gone from 4 chickens to a final count of 15!

Just speaking in general (and to myself), the internet has an endless supply of ideas and posts. If we are not careful, we can get so caught up in the perfection of 1 picture (which never tells the whole story) that we are not thankful for what we already have. It can be a challenge in today’s world where everything is so abundant at our finder tips.

 

[Suzi18]

Very true!! But for me aesthetics are very important. We live in town and don't have a lot of space so my coop needed to be part of the garden and landscape and also for me, decorating the coop and making it fancy is as much fun and as much of a hobby as raising the chickens

 

[staceyj]

I agree. I love the look of my little coop and run.

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Good morning all. I'm awake. That is all.

@TexasSam google *white chicken chili* and find a recipe to be your guide. It is AWESOME!!

Good morning sleepy head

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

Lots to do today.
Hubby scheduled a metal worker to come look at removing the stupid condenser coil from the overpriced furnace we put in.
It clogs every winter. Yup we have dogs and cats and a/c that has NEVER worked. Its a long story really.
The metal workers are also HVAC guys. Highly recommended.
Lots of bills to get paid and Hubby's meds to fill.

Then there is the bank appointment with the financial officers to discuss the 401k.

That's on top of all the regular chores.

I'm glad you found HVAC with a good reputation. That's what my does for a living and he could tell you horror stories of things other companies have done to rip people off.
He golfed a summer for free at a country club one year for fixing their ac. He was golfing there and heard the front desk girl complain about it and having to have the company come out yet again. My dad asked if he could take a look. Turns out the thing was clogged with cotton wood seeds! They had been paying for expensive repairs they didn't need. My dad told them have the maintenance man suck the seeds out one a week they wouldn't have any more problems. Sad that people can be so greedy.

I would like to think most coops don’t look like the Taj Mahals we see on Pintrest Or on our articles. I want a fancy, painted coop that looks like a house with lots of room and a huge half covered run. I have redone the inside of my coop several times, because it is 6x4 and I have gone from 4 chickens to a final count of 15!

Just speaking in general (and to myself), the internet has an endless supply of ideas and posts. If we are not careful, we can get so caught up in the perfection of 1 picture (which never tells the whole story) that we are not thankful for what we already have. It can be a challenge in today’s world where everything is so abundant at our finder tips.

I'd rather it not be an eyesore but function and ease is what I'm going for. Of course on a shoestring budget. I'd really like water close by and proper electrical work. I know ventilation is key but what have people found works the best? I need to figure out coop flooring/bedding too. I love using sand in the summer as currently I don't have a way to set up a poop tray. But once it got cold I had to go with shavings. Now I have a humidity problem and a stinking mess. I can't clean it like I'd like...the wheelbarrow doesn't go through 3 feet of snow... Deep litter seems great, on a dirt floor. I'm on elevated wood so rotting it out it's the best plan.

I need to formulate some questions and coop plans. Not moving yet so there is time.

 

[Sassysouth]

Very true!! But for me aesthetics are very important. We live in town and don't have a lot of space so my coop needed to be part of the garden and landscape and also for me, decorating the coop and making it fancy is as much fun and as much of a hobby as raising the chickens

I do want to paint my coop at some point. Nobody can even see our house, so it is not a pressing issue. Since dh helped build the coop, it looks like a shooting house, so he can have it when I am done with chickens. It is not how I would want it my chicken coop, but it works and is secure. If something ever happens to hubby, I am having a Taj Mahal built for my babies.

 

[Suzi18]

I'm glad you found HVAC with a good reputation. That's what my does for a living and he could tell you horror stories of things other companies have done to rip people off.
He golfed a summer for free at a country club one year for fixing their ac. He was golfing there and heard the front desk girl complain about it and having to have the company come out yet again. My dad asked if he could take a look. Turns out the thing was clogged with cotton wood seeds! They had been paying for expensive repairs they didn't need. My dad told them have the maintenance man suck the seeds out one a week they wouldn't have any more problems. Sad that people can be so greedy.



I'd rather it not be an eyesore but function and ease is what I'm going for. Of course on a shoestring budget. I'd really like water close by and proper electrical work. I know ventilation is key but what have people found works the best? I need to figure out coop flooring/bedding too. I love using sand in the summer as currently I don't have a way to set up a poop tray. But once it got cold I had to go with shavings. Now I have a humidity problem and a stinking mess. I can't clean it like I'd like...the wheelbarrow doesn't go through 3 feet of snow... Deep litter seems great, on a dirt floor. I'm on elevated wood so rotting it out it's the best plan.

I need to formulate some questions and coop plans. Not moving yet so there is time.

I'm just curious....why didn't you keep the sand for the winter? I also use sand in my run and my coops.

 

[TexasSam]

Too much of anything can be bad. A guy put out several bushels of leafy greens for his 100 or so layers and had problems with thin shells... But in moderation, just not a big deal.

But you all have me wondering this morning... Too much of anything is bad for them, I wonder if they know what too much is? Different feed blends naturally have different toxins (there are toxins in everything), I'm wondering if that influences what they like for treats?

I've wondered the same thing several times. I change my feed every three months gradually so not to shock them not sure if I'm doing the best thing but it feels right

 

[TexasSam]

You are missing out! With Northern Beans and Pinto’s. Yum!!!!

I use black beans and pintos