Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[OneMountainAcres]

Finally, a nice day! Warm anyway. I did some work to my tractor/pen that I've been in the mood to build. When it's done, it will be great as a separation pen, breeding pen, meatie tractor, grow out pen, whatever I still need to finish framing the run, cover with hardware cloth, add a roost, and fit a piece of metal roof on top. Don't mind the messy garage. It'll be 3ft wide x 10ft long x 3ft tall. Not huge but big enough and SHOULD be light enough to drag around the yard.

 

[dheltzel]

Finally, a nice day! Warm anyway. I did some work to my tractor/pen that I've been in the mood to build. When it's done, it will be great as a separation pen, breeding pen, meatie tractor, grow out pen, whatever I still need to finish framing the run, cover with hardware cloth, add a roost, and fit a piece of metal roof on top. Don't mind the messy garage. It'll be 3ft wide x 10ft long x 3ft tall. Not huge but big enough and SHOULD be light enough to drag around the yard.

View attachment 1265907

Looks good! How are you planning to protect from digging predators? I'm planning something similar and still puzzling over that.

 

[BullChick]

I have a thought. Would it work out to attach a plywood or tin skirt with hinges, and a hook to hold it up when moving?
If you can, then parking the coop on the pavement (where no critters can dig) during the winter would mean you already have a wind/snow block.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Looks good! How are you planning to protect from digging predators? I'm planning something similar and still puzzling over that.

Thank you! I haven't thought to much about that yet. I thought about possibly running a solar powered hot wire around the bottom but beyond that, nothing yet. Ideally I'll be moving it daily. I've been lucky so far and haven't had any signs of digging predators in thar past 4 years and last year had no problems raising out a bunch of CX in a VERY insecure tractor. I know my luck will run out eventually though.

I have a thought. Would it work out to attach a plywood or tin skirt with hinges, and a hook to hold it up when moving?
If you can, then parking the coop on the pavement (where no critters can dig) during the winter would mean you already have a wind/snow block.

Maybe. I don't know if I we'll be using it during winter or not since it's an open air type coop. Only 3 sides will be blocked with the front and floor open and a small gap above for ventilation. I guess it depends on how well it works out over the summer if I decide to winterize it and use it during the winter too. As for the skirts, that could be an eventual addition maybe. Right now, I'm trying to build it as cheaply as possible. Everything I've used had been free so far between what hubby brought home from work and what we've had laying around. I think all I may have to buy (besides the cheap drill I needed to get) is the hardware cloth and hinges for the doors.

 

[fangedknight]

So the weather was AMAZING today! To the point where I had almost forgotten about putting the chickens in for the night... oops. Thankfully everyone is safe and sound inside. I did just realize something rather important however....

... I don't know how to sex Ameraucanas! They're about 8 weeks old now and I haven't spent much time with them (or let them outside yet, we're still building the run) so I have no literal clue. They are getting much bigger now and looking great with their muffs and beards but I know that doesn't help me in the long run.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Hey all, hatching question for you all.

I had to assist one chick, and it is out and cheeping. It’s been an hour, and when I checked her, she was almost crunchy, her poor little fluff was stuck to her body. I think the humidity had dropped and I wasn’t able to adjust it, being at work.

Should I give her a quick warm bath to soften her fluff?

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Hey all, hatching question for you all.

I had to assist one chick, and it is out and cheeping. It’s been an hour, and when I checked her, she was almost crunchy, her poor little fluff was stuck to her body. I think the humidity had dropped and I wasn’t able to adjust it, being at work.

Should I give her a quick warm bath to soften her fluff?

That's what I do. A nice warm bath usualy does the trick

 

[fisherlady]

Thank you! I haven't thought to much about that yet. I thought about possibly running a solar powered hot wire around the bottom but beyond that, nothing yet. Ideally I'll be moving it daily. I've been lucky so far and haven't had any signs of digging predators in thar past 4 years and last year had no problems raising out a bunch of CX in a VERY insecure tractor. I know my luck will run out eventually though.



Maybe. I don't know if I we'll be using it during winter or not since it's an open air type coop. Only 3 sides will be blocked with the front and floor open and a small gap above for ventilation. I guess it depends on how well it works out over the summer if I decide to winterize it and use it during the winter too. As for the skirts, that could be an eventual addition maybe. Right now, I'm trying to build it as cheaply as possible. Everything I've used had been free so far between what hubby brought home from work and what we've had laying around. I think all I may have to buy (besides the cheap drill I needed to get) is the hardware cloth and hinges for the doors.

It looks good, maybe give it a good paint job with deck seal or something else waterproof, anything resting on the ground will rot pretty quick if not protected.
I like the wire apron idea if any burrowing is any issue. The wire can be anchored with tent pegs if needed.

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Ain’t she sweet.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

It looks good, maybe give it a good paint job with deck seal or something else waterproof, anything resting on the ground will rot pretty quick if not protected.
I like the wire apron idea if any burrowing is any issue. The wire can be anchored with tent pegs if needed.

Yeah, I think we have some paint laying around. Deck stain sounds much better though so I may buy that. Hubby just saw it this morning. He may have brought home the stuff for me but didn't really expect me to put this together lol. He just looked at me and said what's that for and where is it going. He's not thrilled lol. He just doesn't get it.

Ain’t she sweet.

View attachment 1266313

Adorable!