post your chicken coop pictures here!

[LindaB220]

Thanks for the heads up on the DE... We already have a 40lb bag so I think I will just treat the yard and leave time for it to die down before they go out... I got food grade so it's safe for them to eat a little of it... I'll just clean with something inside to keep it out of the coop... I wonder if it will mess them up if I mix it I'm the sandy area for the dust baths?

It's ok. A lot of people don't like DE because it kills the necessary bugs that chickens will eat. It won't work for deep litter, what I have.

 

[TJordan]

It's ok.   A lot of people don't like DE because it kills the necessary bugs that chickens will eat.  It won't work for deep litter, what I have. 

Good to know... Ok now here's a question for everyone... How best to CLEAN a coop... And should I use lye or lime around my chickens? I need something to put down as an added SNAKE proofing idea... I'm still going to get the hardware cloth but I don't want them around MY KIDS lol... I just chased another snake out of the chicken yard itself this morning... Once again only a corn snake but I know we have cotton mouths, corals and rattlers here in good old southern Alabama... Lol

 

[moss farm]

I think

As most regulars on this thread have quite vivid imaginations and are good at coming up with ways of misusing something for chicken coop builds, I have a little winterization issue that I would appreciate some feedback and ideas on.

I'm going to be covering the run to keep out snow in the winter. My original plan was to use see through plastic panels, but they apparently cost a bit. Wrapping some thinner plastic around the run would be affordable, but I'm a bit worried about how it would hold up in the wind. Corrugated see through roof panels were also something that I considered, but I sort of don't want the wave profile on the panels, even though it would stiffen them. So does anyone have any ideas for something cheap that would let through light, and still be a large flat and stiff surface, that can withstand freezing temperatures? I need something in the 3x7 foot range.

I think the best bet will be the corrugated clear panels. They will be strong for the weight of the snow. Plastic would rip to pieces and gets quite brittle after being exposed to the elements.

 

[apteryx]

As most regulars on this thread have quite vivid imaginations and are good at coming up with ways of misusing something for chicken coop builds, I have a little winterization issue that I would appreciate some feedback and ideas on.

I'm going to be covering the run to keep out snow in the winter. My original plan was to use see through plastic panels, but they apparently cost a bit. Wrapping some thinner plastic around the run would be affordable, but I'm a bit worried about how it would hold up in the wind. Corrugated see through roof panels were also something that I considered, but I sort of don't want the wave profile on the panels, even though it would stiffen them. So does anyone have any ideas for something cheap that would let through light, and still be a large flat and stiff surface, that can withstand freezing temperatures? I need something in the 3x7 foot range.

Here in the US I would suggest cheap shower curtains. They are about $5 here on Amazon or other online sites and can be found for less other places. They hold up better than a lot of the plastic from home improvement stores. With either the shower curtains or the plastic, they key part is how you attach it to the run.

Edited to add: If you have access to an affordable source of corrugated panels, they would provide more use long term as you would be able to take them down and store each summer. Kind of like how some people in parts of Florida have pre-cut pieces of plywood for their windows.

 

[moss farm]

Good to know... Ok now here's a question for everyone... How best to CLEAN a coop... And should I use lye or lime around my chickens? I need something to put down as an added SNAKE proofing idea... I'm still going to get the hardware cloth but I don't want them around MY KIDS lol... I just chased another snake out of the chicken yard itself this morning... Once again only a corn snake but I know we have cotton mouths, corals and rattlers here in good old southern Alabama... Lol

I use snake away from tractor supply. It seems to work well. I put it down twice a year. Some folks use lime. They say it burns there bellies. I have small kids so I don't want to use anything that will hurt them or the chicken. As far as the cleaning I keep mulch and grass clipping in the run then clean it out once a month and use it for compost for the garden. Mulch and grass seems to keep the smell down and it's not a muddy mess after a lot of rain.

 

[TJordan]

I use snake away from tractor supply. It seems to work well. I put it down twice a year. Some folks use lime. They say it burns there bellies. I have small kids so I don't want to use anything that will hurt them or the chicken. As far as the cleaning I keep mulch and grass clipping in the run then clean it out once a month and use it for compost for the garden. Mulch and grass seems to keep the smell down and it's not a muddy mess after a lot of rain.

Thanks.. I've been doing a ton of research today about lime , snakes and chickens/kids safety lol...
Ton of info on these subjects... But from what I've researched, and local feed store lady, I've discovered that if you use lime... Get the AG... Or agricultural lime... It will be safe for kids and livestock but I'm still not sure about snakes... Different opinions on that subject... Ii might have to put snake away around the yard but use AG lime inside the yard...

I'm happy for any suggestions or first hand accounts on this subject please... Thanks...

 

[jtbass2756]

I use snake away from tractor supply. It seems to work well. I put it down twice a year. Some folks use lime. They say it burns there bellies. I have small kids so I don't want to use anything that will hurt them or the chicken. As far as the cleaning I keep mulch and grass clipping in the run then clean it out once a month and use it for compost for the garden. Mulch and grass seems to keep the smell down and it's not a muddy mess after a lot of rain.

Glad to hear about snake away! I asked that question about a week ago and never got an answer. I know I have 2 in the treeline beside my coop. I don't want to hurt them because the keep the rodent population down in the shed. Everytime they disc up the field next to our house, we get mice! Yuk! Hubby don't like cats so I have to look for other remedies. Going to go to TSC today and see about some snake away. Thanks so much

 

[TJordan]

[COLOR=800080]Glad to hear about snake away!  I asked that question about a week ago and never got an answer.  I know I have 2 in the treeline beside my coop. I don't want to hurt them because the keep the rodent population down in the shed. Everytime they disc up the field next to our house, we get mice!  Yuk! Hubby don't like cats so I have to look for other remedies.  Going to go to TSC today and see about some snake away. Thanks so much[/COLOR]e

I just talked to a lady at tractor supply and she warned against snake away near kids...

 

[moss farm]

I just talked to a lady at tractor supply and she warned against snake away near kids...

It's mainly when u put it down its dusty. It the safest thing I have found for snakes. I use moth balls under my building but they will hurt dogs if they eat them and I wouldn't use them around the chicken coop cause chickens might taste it and hurt them. Snake away is mostly all natural ingredients

 

[TJordan]

It's mainly when u put it down its dusty. It the safest thing I have found for snakes. I use moth balls under my building but they will hurt dogs if they eat them and I wouldn't use them around the chicken coop cause chickens might taste it and hurt them. Snake away is mostly all natural ingredients

Thanks for that info... It helps a lot..