Ribh's D'Coopage

[Ribh]

One thing I did by accident is really good storage bins. The cats & snakes generally keep the rodents down but don't want them in the food anyway.

 

[Kris5902]

Weeding out the America only stuff too given we don't need to worry about coons & weasels & such like.

You beat me to it by 4 minutes over here...
Having slow data today for some reason

Where I live, the only predators are foxes, hawks and pet dogs. Maybe a snake once in a blue moon.

I know! You should totally head off all the weasel proofing advice... before all us North Americans start on the detailed explanations about it!

 

[MaryJanet]

At present, the chook feed is in galv lidded rubbish bins, each one with a brick on top to make sure the lid stays put. These bins are in the woodshed which is only a couple of metres from where the coop will be. So I'll probably continue that arrangement in the future, but it's goodto think about storing feed near the feeders.

 

[MaryJanet]

You beat me to it by 4 minutes over here...
Having slow data today for some reason



I know! You should totally head off all the weasel proofing advice... before all us North Americans start on the detailed explanations about it!

It's still heaps interesting though!

 

[Ribh]

You beat me to it by 4 minutes over here...
Having slow data today for some reason

lol I put my coop in the coop section & flummoxed all the Americans. *sigh*. Some of us never actually see snow.

 

[MaryJanet]

You'd be more worried about rain. I'm worried about shade and coolness.

 

[Kris5902]

One thing I did by accident is really good storage bins. The cats & snakes generally keep the rodents down but don't want them in the food anyway.

Ugh, they are in my brokendown Propane furnace... I can hear them! Last winter in this Tin Can one way or another... in the meantime I’m going to have to investigate it and see if I can block up their access. I think that might be where the bad smell I can’t locate in my trailer is coming from as well!

At present, the chook feed is in galv lidded rubbish bins, each one with a brick on top to make sure the lid stays put. These bins are in the woodshed which is only a couple of metres from where the coop will be. So I'll probably continue that arrangement in the future, but it's goodto think about storing feed near the feeders.

Because I’m using mobile tractors I’m using 5 gallon lidded buckets from the hardware store. Easier to carry than a bag and the lids fit well enough to keep moisture out. They are dark blue though so I have to keep them in the shade so the feed doesn’t get hot and rancid. I use orange duct tape on the lids of my layer mix, the broiler is left plain, and I made scoops out of plastic maple syrup bottles.

 

[Ribh]

Ugh, they are in my brokendown Propane furnace... I can hear them!

We have mice in our walls in summer. YD objected because @ night she could hear them scream as the snakes got them...

I use orange duct tape on the lids of my layer mix

Wonderful stuff, duct tape!

 

[Ribh]

Ok, so I have started another simple throw rug for YD, who has a birthday coming up shortly & has provisionally agreed to come chook buying with me again [which means @ least one chook will technically be hers again. Small price to pay for good company & a real live GPS ] However I was reading here:
Anyone who loves to Crochet?
& there is a great little tutorial to make chicken pot holders. I'm turning mine into coasters for the girl. Got the main body worked on the 1st one & feeling rather chuffed with myself...

I actually have to buy some coloured yarn before I can finish this but great tutorial. No hiccups @ all ~ which is almost unheard of for me!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Plus 2 of my new girls laid their 1st egg!


I'm so excited for the blue eggs! I never had blue before.

I have blue egg envy. Not that I'm complaining. I have various shades of brown & 3 white layers, so variety I have, I just think the blue is so pretty.

Envy x2!

Some pictures from this morning:
Front to back: Lottie, Luna, Ha'penny & Soda.

View attachment 1857625
@MaryJanet : Lottie.
View attachment 1857631
Pebbles ~ underfoot... in case I missed her...
View attachment 1857634
View attachment 1857635
L~R: Luna, Lavender, Tuppence, Hebzibah.​

Lovely pics @Ribh . I am adding them to my word document so when you talk about a specific hen I can look them up and see who you mean!

Ok! Here they are under the scrawny trees last weekend

View attachment 1857725
It's a bit grainy because I had to keep my distance.

Mary the Australorp, Janet the Barnevelder, and Sandy the red layer.

Still no eggs from Mary. One every second day from Janet. 5-6 a week from Sandy.

What colour does Janet lay @MaryJanet ?

I'm looking forward to your coloured eggs @Aussie-Chookmum , I hope you'll show us a photo when the time comes

Me too! As for posting photos...just try and stop me!

Oh! I am so envious... I have always wanted one of those! “The weed dragon!” I’m thinking it’s a lot like a propane soldering torch for copper plumbing supersized, based on the commercials. I think they also have delivery like dollies for your larger propane bottles. Light it up and fry the weeds, no nasty chemicals, and it’s one of the few effective ways to get rid of morning glory. I tried everything else on it in our house in the city, but with my slight habit of accidentally exploding BBQ’s, Andrew wouldn’t let me buy one.

"slight habit of accidentally exploding BBQ’s"

You'd be more worried about rain. I'm worried about shade and coolness.

If you're not building for a few years, have you thought about planting a large native tree or shrub to the north of where you want your coop to go?