Our First Chicken House - picture heavy *Update Pics Pg.4*

[henningheather]

BTufts- I have read on many different roost forums on this site that the used motor oil is allowed to sink into the wood to keep leg mites from becoming a problem. I have not done the nesting box yet and I am not totally sure that I will. I was concerned that they may uptake bad stuff through their feet but was assured that it would not be harmful, especially if allowed to dry for several weeks before use. The last thing I want to do is harm my new and much anticipated girls. Do you have any other suggestions as to what can be used to keep the roost safe. They actually looked nice when we were done, like they had just been stained.

 

[water4two]

Very Nice Coop!

I had the same question about the oil being rub into the wood. Why was this done? (I just saw you posted the answer while I was typing.)

 

[BreadNButterFarm]

Great job ~ Your chickens will be happy campers! I hadn't heard about the motor oil before . . . we just got our pullets a few weeks ago and finally got some DE for that same purpose. We have dusted the nest boxes and the shavings and they seem to be scratching it all about so it's nicely distributed now! Sprinkled the run as well. How many chickens are you planning for? Your palace is huge!

 

[henningheather]

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We ordered 30 and received 27. Randal Burkey is the hatchery we used and they just didn't ship what I ordered but I must say they were all alive and still are. I waited almost 3 months to get them and will find them more locally next time. I will pick up some DE to sprinkle in the wood shavings when they are out of the stock tank brooder. It gets cold here in the winter so the wide side up for the 2x4 roost was how we went. That way they can sit on their feet and keep them warmer.

 

[wanda047]

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I'll adopt him!!

 

[BreadNButterFarm]

We're in Maryland and it gets kinda' cold here so we did our roosts the same way you did, but I sure wish I had that snazzy vinyl covered easy to clean up shelf beneath like you do! Great idea! My son made mine hinged so I can move them outta' the way to clean.

We modified an old 8x12 garden shed and they seem to love the windows we added!

Sure is fun plotting & planning for them, huh?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

WOW I want to live in there! LOL VERY nice! We were going to put flooring down but decided to paint instead. Love it!

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Why did you oil the wood?

 

[henningheather]

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Why did you oil the wood?

To keep leg mites from being a problem. I read about it a lot on this website. I would have never thought of it myself. It has already dried and looks nice. Kind of looks like we stained them.

 

[henningheather]

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Your chicken house is great! We have a 3 x 5 window on the east side and made another frame with 1/2 inch hardware cloth to go over it on hinges so we can open it to open the window. That should help keep the bugs out too. I hope mine enjoy looking out. We will probably have to dig it out in the winter. Snow loves to block windows around here.