Our introduction to keeping chickens, the high's, the lows and pics of our journey.

[Bens-Hens]

I was pretty proud of it too, I zip tied the back of the stack together, then put a screw into the wall stud so it all stays together.

only problem with it is that the ramp idea I had incorporates 6 nesting boxes lol. I spent a hours or two making that and now half a walls cladding is off so I can make a new structure with the exit ramp and nest boxes in one unit.

I don't think I will get a chance to look at it again until tomorrow as I have bookwork today and my sons birthday thing this afternoon/tonight. The flock still have not moved in yet! but should be onto it by the weekend I think.

I will snap a phone pic of the progress when I go check for eggs later.

 

[lindz8504]

NICE!!! There are some sweet colours there.

How long does it take to collect that many?

Thanks! About 4-5 days depending!

 

[Bens-Hens]

I just had to put aside the quarterly receipt entry (as enthralling as it is.....NOT!) to go see what all the noise was about. One egg so far today and Rosie is in a best box so we might get her first egg after broody and a moult!

The 'not very exacting' plan. 6 external nest boxes and a pop ramp. I won't say too much about this wonderful drawing but I did it sitting in a place where many a great idea are spawned hahahahahaha

Yesterday's rough framing out. End nest measurements should be about 320 wide, 320 high and 400 deep. The top row will have a bit more head space due to the run off angle.

And while I had the crates moved, here is a shot if the back if the top two. I cut out the side to make a bit more space, but the downside is that the crate is pretty much useless for anything else.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Been pretty busy lately, but have managed to get a couple of hours in before it gets dark.

I ran out of ply, had to buy some to trim the inside (not in yet). Front trim panel, ramp, paint to seal it all and the little chute to the run should have it all sorted.

Hopefully another two days work, maybe three with the couple of coats of paint.

Oh, I have the egg collection doors to cut out too, dang forgot about those lol

 

[lindz8504]

You have been busy! Looks good.

 

[Bens-Hens]

We have been a bit quiet in here. Between work and training life has been very full.

I have managed to get an hour or so at a time in the cubby coop. Alicia and the kids came out one afternoon to help paint.

The MDF internal trim board, required some pencil work.

In place for first test fit. Added some pine to support the entry points. Will remove it all to seal and paint it before fitting it up for the last time.

Got the boxes all painted and the egg collection doors in. Still need to trim the roof panel.

Should do the job for us.

Still to go, some more paint inside, trim the roof, make the ramp section and hoop run.

Can't wait to get them in there!

 

[lindz8504]

It is looking amazing! Can't wait to see how the girls like it!

We are working on getting my bigger coop ready. I am getting excited about it. Hubby started laying out the nest boxes in the cabinets he bought.

And a pic of the youngest feeding the girls some scratch.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Oh and don't they love scratch, both the kids and the chickens!

I like the idea of a cupboard, can use the space as actual shelves, but I could not find any for next to nothing that were deep enough for my liking. Looks good, seems I am not the only one with a compass out recently

Keep up the good work.

 

[ozexpat]

We have been a bit quiet in here. Between work and training life has been very full.

I have managed to get an hour or so at a time in the cubby coop. Alicia and the kids came out one afternoon to help paint.

The MDF internal trim board, required some pencil work.


In place for first test fit. Added some pine to support the entry points. Will remove it all to seal and paint it before fitting it up for the last time.


Got the boxes all painted and the egg collection doors in. Still need to trim the roof panel.


Should do the job for us.


Still to go, some more paint inside, trim the roof, make the ramp section and hoop run.

Can't wait to get them in there!

**** fine cabinetry there ben!!

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks Mark. Nearly there now.

Got a bit more done today, but first thing this morning I had to step over a lazy bones Rosie coming in the gate. I thought nothing of it, until I found a broken soft egg under the roost. Hmmmm. The younger birds have reverted back to the outside roost at night so it could not have been one of them. Then I notice Rosie had not moved from in front of the gate. I finished my chores and went to her, picked her up to find a messy backside She seemed alert, just a bit lethargic.

I set up the tractor coop in the shade, fresh water and some grower feed and went back for her. She got a nice backside bath and tail rinse (which she seemed almost fond of!) and an inspection. Her crop was a bit mushy, and I could feel some grain or pebbles in there, kind of gritty. More Hmmm. I plonked into the tractor for some isolation time. I had to leave for work but was confident it was not a sudden contagious illness but I thought it was better to be on the safe side and remove her.

She didn't sit, she didn't drink or eat, just stood there with a damp bum. I was out of time and had to go. Didn't know what I would find when I got home in the afternoon.

This afternoon, she was sitting in the back corner of the tractor, so I let her out and up she sprang and had a walk heading back to the main run. I checked the droppings, not much and no egg (she is just coming back into laying). I caught her again (this time was harder than this morning) and her crop still felt a bit odd. I fear she might have an issue there. We saw her eat and drink and mingle with everyone during the couple of hours range time this afternoon but still am a bit worried about her crop.

Tomorrow I am home most of the day, so I will be able to give her some more time and see how she is faring. Hopefully it was something upsetting her crop that will or has passed, otherwise upside down she will have to go!