Ribh's D'Coopage

[rjohns39]

Evening folks

 

[WhoDatChick]

Whatever support you need, I'm here. Just let me know how I can help.

Thank you so much Bob! I really appreciate it

Btw... for all you Bob’s out there... this is Bobby

 

[rjohns39]

Thank you so much Bob! I really appreciate it

Btw... for all you Bob’s out there... this is Bobby View attachment 1835385

He's handsome

 

[WhoDatChick]

It's been a very restful week I've been halving my time between chores and sitting quietly with a book. The chickens have had lots of yard time in the winter sun, dust bathing, eating a few weds, living a fulfilling chickeny life. Blossom the cat is also very happy, purring loudly.

About the future coop, I think building is the best way to go, that way I can get the quality and dimensions I'm after as well as provide employment for a couple of chippies. The build is about five years off yet, I live in an old house (built by great-grandfather) and it's a little dilapidated here and there. The house takes precedence over chicken keeping. However, I've been thinking of a raised roosting area above a litter bed that has a gently sloping, waterproof floor for washing out. The roosting box would have walls on three sides to allow heat to escape during heat waves, and its back to the rain. It would have a long run out front of the roosting box and a skillion corro roof would cover the roosting box and half the run, the other half rooved with galv mesh. The run walls would also be galv mesh. I'd pave around the coop to prevent foxes and dogs digging in (and to use up some of dad's old pavers), so the run won't need flooring and the chooks can make dust baths and do their scratching. I'd harvest the rainwater and use it on my veg. Both the run and the roosting box would be capable of halving down the middle for introducing new birds. The roosting box would have nest boxes either side, the kind that can be opened from outside, and it would have a tail gate like a trailer at the back for cleaning out - about the height of a wheelbarrow - so I'll just sweep all the litter out in the barrow and give it a quick hose out and dry off before spreading feesh litter. The whole thing would be human height to save me stooping and it'll house a bench for me and a few logs for the chooks to enjoy. I'll probably also put the little coop in there as a hospital zone. I'll hang some baskets of flowers around the outside and paint it french navy blue with pale cream posts and joists and frames. I'll add a misting system and shade cloth to keep the heat down in summer.

And that's all I've thought of so far. But I daresay the old noggin will keep turning it over and over until its just right

It sounds to me that you already have it perfectly planned out!! It’s gonna be lovely!

 

[WhoDatChick]

He's handsome

Thanks! And mornin rj!
I like to call peeps by their profile name though... I hope you don’t mind

 

[rjohns39]

Thanks! And mornin rj!
I like to call peeps by their profile name though... I hope you don’t mind

not at all

 

[WhoDatChick]

not at all

 

[rjohns39]

 

[Ribh]

Thank you so much Bob! I really appreciate it

Btw... for all you Bob’s out there... this is Bobby View attachment 1835385

That is one gorgeous cat!

 

[Ribh]

It's not pretty out there.​

The only real light was the one blinking on the other side of the bay. Can't even seen the channel markers flashing this morning. I have no idea how 1 Favorelle [the other was in a nesting box going about the morning's business; no wonder she has time to get into mischief later!], 1 BR & 2 Campines negotiated the steps in the dark but they were certainly up & about when I went to check after last night's wind & rain.
I'm considering another oats morning... I don't want them getting the idea this is a regular thing but something to cheer them up on such a dull dreary morning is sure to be welcomed. OK, they're chooks. Any food is welcome!