***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[NanaKat]

I have my 2 x 4s set with the flat side up so that the girls can settle down on their feet to keep them warm. Also set the roosts up ladder style so that the huge birds can jump to the first roost bar and then up higher. My big Cochins don't fly and getting up on the roost needs to be in graduated steps...so to speak.

Be sure to allow enough room for you to work between the roosts and nest boxes to remove soiled floor stuff. I deep litter my coop so I like to remove the manure etc to a wheel barrow and then to the garden for composting.

 

[ladyokie]

Hi Everyone! Does anyone know what time the show in Newcastle is over? I was hoping to go but just now got done with all the "stuff" I had to do!

 

[erinszoo]

So, didn't get the new coop started this weekend like I wanted.. Youth rifle season got in the way. DS got a doe this am. So, I'm obsessing about the floor plan of the coop. We are moving in an 8x10, and really have too many for that space. Nest boxes are built, so trying to decide where to put the roosts. Literally doing a graph paper drawing of how I want it.. So, I've tried to read up on parallel vs ladder roosts.. I still can't decide. And we are planning first roost 12" from the wall, next one 10" from that... (will be 3, 10' roosts) Using 2x4's, narrow side up. We have electric so not worried about freezing toes. Any advice? I know I am over-thinking. It's what I do best..

We have parallel roosts too. And no feather picking ... but I've read that feather picking is caused by a protein deficiency and can be taken care of by giving the chickens cabbage, broccoli, or other brassica greens. It's always worked for us although I have no idea why. Our roo and his two favorite girls always roost on the nest box anyway. It's kind of funny because everyone has "their" spot in the house at night and they are always in "their" spot and no one fusses about who's where. How many chickens do you have? We have an 8 x 12 with 3 bantys in their own cages, 4 rabbits in two raised hutches, 15 chickens, and 5 turkeys and still have plenty of space for more. Of course only one of the turkeys roosts. The rest make nests and curl up.

 

[bridget-rdh]

Thanks for all the info! We have 40 pullets/hens. No roosters. We got them before I read and realized the space requirements. Bad chicken momma, I know.. But, they have a partially covered run, and they free range for several hours a day, more on the Fri, Sat, Sun. We got them at separate times, so the last ones we got are currently penned (when not free ranging) in our broiler house that's built into the barn. Thinking I will do parallel roosts. I don't think they are feather picking, and hopefully they've got their pecking order established since we've had them all for 6 weeks or so. 16 red sex link, 20 black sex link (we think), and 4 americana.

 

[bridget-rdh]

I have my 2 x 4s set with the flat side up so that the girls can settle down on their feet to keep them warm. Also set the roosts up ladder style so that the huge birds can jump to the first roost bar and then up higher. My big Cochins don't fly and getting up on the roost needs to be in graduated steps...so to speak.

Be sure to allow enough room for you to work between the roosts and nest boxes to remove soiled floor stuff. I deep litter my coop so I like to remove the manure etc to a wheel barrow and then to the garden for composting.

Planning to make the roosts removable so I can just remove them when we need to clean. Definitely doing deep litter.

 

[erinszoo]

Got the greenhouse rebuilt finally. Hopefully we don't get anymore rogue freak dust storms blowing through! Gonna go out and let the teletubbies (the meat birds) out to graze and put our final layer of cob on the bread oven. Then we have pears and apples to process still ...

We at first thought that the one chick had just not absorbed the yolk but it definitely had intestines out too and it was all green and black.

Still have 7 duck eggs growing and moving. I'm not touching them for any reason since they are coming up to time to hatch. If they make it, good and if not, ... well, I'll just cry and move on. I'm thinking we just have to get a store bought incubator. Our homemade ones just don't maintain constant temps well enough and we can't get the humidity up well.

 

[DaDdYo]

Just a hello from Jones, OK. I've been raising americuna's for a couple of years and love raising chickens. Since I recently threw a bobcat and coyote buffet, I had to restock the coop! Giving barred rocks a go this time around.

 

[jcatblum]

Erin I struggled with Humidity last yr. have you tried putting a sponge in your water container?

Welcome Daddyo! Just jump in & chat along. Sorry about the coyotes & bobcats. We have 4 dogs & it helps greatly with the 4 legged predators.

 

[Elbert Garrett]

Just a hello from Jones, OK. I've been raising americuna's for a couple of years and love raising chickens. Since I recently threw a bobcat and coyote buffet, I had to restock the coop! Giving barred rocks a go this time around.

Welcome to BYC!

Barred Rocks are good choice, they lay big brown eggs and they are easy on the eyes!

 

[bridget-rdh]

Welcome! I'm new too, wearing these people out I think! No good on the buffet..We also have dogs that help keep predators at bay.. We will be fighting coons as soon as my DH stops feeding them at the deer corn feeder.. We have a list of chicken breeds we want to try-- next time-- whenever that comes. Anyway, welcome to BYC!