Welshies
Crowing
So "project fever" has hit me yet again. However, it is minus 40 degrees farenheit outside, with about 3 feet of snow. Definitely too cold still.
So I'm stuck in the planning phase.
I have 3 upcoming projects:
Readjusting my Chicken Coop
My chicken coop is really nice. It's the second one I've ever built, and I love it. It's 6 by 8 feet, and 6 feet tall in the front and 5 and a half in the back. I have 5 adults and 5 chicks in it right now (in 4 weeks it will be back to 5 adults). So, I have lots of room still.
However, I'm one for efficiency. I already know I have too many nest boxes, so I'm taking half (4 out of 8) out.
Here is the coop:
The nest boxes:
The back window and openable vents (for summer time):
And the inside (now):
That's about 160 inches of roost space or so, excluding that bottom one. Because that bottom one is never used, I'm thinking of removing it, and then placing the 4 nest boxes I keep underneath the roosts. Potentially putting in a poop board.
It would be a lot more efficient on space, especially since I only need 4 nest boxes (at 12 birds, that's 2.8 hens per nest box. I always have a rooster).
I am excited.
Expanding My Run Area
As you can see, my run area uses that big shed and my old duck coop as a fence line.
I have some leftover electric fence posts as well as some 6 foot long rebar. I use rebar as my posts and stretch my wire between it. I plan to take out that old coop, build a new one (6×8) and turn it sideways to use as a 8 foot long "section". Then I can extend my run about 30 feet, allowing my chickens access to more forage and anthills. This will be a harder job, because I will have to dig up my 8" apron, then re-stake it down.
The New Quail Coop
The new quail coop will use the 8 foot long skids from my old duck coop, as well as much of the wire, and plywood. It will look a lot like this coop:
But, no nest boxes, less upright 2x2s, and the whole back will open for cleaning. Also, a long ramp.
Let's just say I am excited for warmer weather and springtime. Bring it on!
So I'm stuck in the planning phase.
I have 3 upcoming projects:
- Readjust my Chicken Coop
- Expand my run area from 450 square feet to 800 sq ft
- Take apart my old duck coop and make a new quail coop with it.
Readjusting my Chicken Coop
My chicken coop is really nice. It's the second one I've ever built, and I love it. It's 6 by 8 feet, and 6 feet tall in the front and 5 and a half in the back. I have 5 adults and 5 chicks in it right now (in 4 weeks it will be back to 5 adults). So, I have lots of room still.
However, I'm one for efficiency. I already know I have too many nest boxes, so I'm taking half (4 out of 8) out.
Here is the coop:
The nest boxes:
The back window and openable vents (for summer time):
And the inside (now):
That's about 160 inches of roost space or so, excluding that bottom one. Because that bottom one is never used, I'm thinking of removing it, and then placing the 4 nest boxes I keep underneath the roosts. Potentially putting in a poop board.
It would be a lot more efficient on space, especially since I only need 4 nest boxes (at 12 birds, that's 2.8 hens per nest box. I always have a rooster).
I am excited.
Expanding My Run Area
As you can see, my run area uses that big shed and my old duck coop as a fence line.
I have some leftover electric fence posts as well as some 6 foot long rebar. I use rebar as my posts and stretch my wire between it. I plan to take out that old coop, build a new one (6×8) and turn it sideways to use as a 8 foot long "section". Then I can extend my run about 30 feet, allowing my chickens access to more forage and anthills. This will be a harder job, because I will have to dig up my 8" apron, then re-stake it down.
The New Quail Coop
The new quail coop will use the 8 foot long skids from my old duck coop, as well as much of the wire, and plywood. It will look a lot like this coop:
But, no nest boxes, less upright 2x2s, and the whole back will open for cleaning. Also, a long ramp.
Let's just say I am excited for warmer weather and springtime. Bring it on!
