Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Perris]

One of my birds recently started pecking my leg on the trouser seam; I assumed till now that she thought the thread was something tasty. Now I'm thinking it might be an affectionate peck, but I have to say I don't care for it - their beaks are sharp, and even a light peck registers through the fabric. Just had an idea: I need chaps!

 

[BDutch]

@Shadrach
Then something really strange happened. I can grab Matilda and take her off the roost bar with no drama but she has never attempted to make any contact of her own initiation. This evening when she came out of the new coop she came straight over to me, pecked my boot and then pecked my overall trouser leg a number of times making soft clucking sounds.
I think Matilda knows its another coop.

I really love such smart hens .
But I do wonder why you bought this specific prefab coop. I suppose you are aware that this coop is very dark inside and that it probably needs more ventilation. Are you planning on improving it? How will you add ventilation without a proper roof.?

@ppruitt : I had a gorgeous BIG rooster that was mostly mahogany red with some black and green tail feathers.

Sounds like a Rhode island red to me (I have bantam RIR).

This was my bantam RIR cockerel, I guess about 7 months old. He had a lovely character and I wanted to keep him for that. But my neighbours didn’t like his alarm every morning. I managed to rehome him with a flock of laying hybrids.

Ah yes, the French and their angst!

I'd be lucky to lift half that.

What does angst mean??
& yes: 30kg or maybe 40kg is about my max too.

 

[Shadrach]

I really love such smart hens .
But I do wonder why you bought this specific prefab coop. I suppose you are aware that this coop is very dark inside and that it probably needs more ventilation. Are you planning on improving it? How will you add ventilation without a proper roof.?


Sounds like a Rhode island red to me (I have bantam RIR).
View attachment 3134376
This was my bantam RIR cockerel, I guess about 7 months old. He had a lovely character and I wanted to keep him for that. But my neighbours didn’t like his alarm every morning. I managed to rehome him with a flock of laying hybrids.


What does angst mean??
& yes: 30kg or maybe 40kg is about my max too.

I would have prefered to build a new coop. I could have built something better for less money I believe. It's difficult to imagine perhaps, but there is no power at the allotments, nowhere under cover to build such a structure either. A coop that I would consider adequate for the number of chickens that are there would be bigger and heavier than the coop we bought. This means it would have to be built in the coop run and it just isn't a practicable proposition.
This was the largest coop I could find that could be moved with reasonable ease in the event that a new run got constructed.
Coop cleanliness is already a problem. I'm hoping that the simplicity of this coop will mean it's kept clean. It's also proving to be very robust which is another important factor.
I don't think the amount of light in the coop will be a problem; ventilation is and I will be making some alterations.
The coop is imo fit for ten chickens and there are 20 here that need housing.
There are a few other problems with the coop. The roost bars are in the wrong place and at the wrong height for the design of the coop.
There are small gaps where the roof rests on the front and back. I will have to make a roost bar arrangement.
All these things require time and money to sort out. I don't have unlimited funds and just getting C to pay half the cost of the coop has been a result.
Basically the whole chiicken keeping arrangement was not well thought out at the outset and now it's a question of making what improvements I can rather than aiming for something closer to the ideal.

 

[BDutch]

@Shadrach
Is there maybe a volunteer repair group that could /loves to help you with the run and maybe more? If the sides are build in a garage/workshop, they are easy to transport and you/a hobby carpenter can assemble them on the spot with battery tools.

Just to share:
Chickens do have habbits, but probably choose the coop that’s best for them.
Once upon a time I made an extension to my old/small coop to give my small flock (3 Dutch) with 6 chicks more roost space during warm summer days. It was made with leftovers and second hand materials. had a roof and was extremely airy with hwc on the entire east side and open to the small attached run from the coop. The chickens loved it so much that they started to sleep there asap. They never went back to the old coop not even when it got cold. So I bought a second hand window against the cold east winds, and they still sleep there (except for broodies/quarrels/ one time I was still cleaning when it got shimmering).

The original coop

After 10 years - with the extension on the right. And the 3x3m party-run behind it.

 

[no fly zone]

Then watching the other chicks closely will let you know. Also, I seem to remember they don't free range ? It would make a virus less probable unless it was already in your flock.

My birds wouldn't last a day free ranging here. Too many predators.

 

[Shadrach]

@Shadrach
Is there maybe a volunteer repair group that could /loves to help you with the run and maybe more? If the sides are build in a garage/workshop, they are easy to transport and you/a hobby carpenter can assemble them on the spot with battery tools.

Just to share:
Chickens do have habbits, but probably choose the coop that’s best for them.
Once upon a time I made an extension to my old/small coop to give my small flock (3 Dutch) with 6 chicks more roost space during warm summer days. It was made with leftovers and second hand materials. had a roof and was extremely airy with hwc on the entire east side and open to the small attached run from the coop. The chickens loved it so much that they started to sleep there asap. They never went back to the old coop not even when it got cold. So I bought a second hand window against the cold east winds, and they still sleep there (except for broodies/quarrels/ one time I was still cleaning when it got shimmering).
View attachment 3134390
The original coop
View attachment 3134389After 10 years - with the extension on the right. And the 3x3m party-run behind it.

All my power tools are professional 110Volt which require a large transformer and electricity supply to run.
I live in a city flat. I can't see construction projects in the flat going down well with the other residents.
If I haven't been able to get two volunteers to pick up one end of a chicken coop and pass it through a gate, probably 15 minutes work, getting a team to do a full scale construction doesn't seem likely.
I think I've done well to get this far. Lots seems possible until one has to do it.

I'm still at the stage of just trying to get the chickens fed properly and basic health care seen to.

 

[no fly zone]

The little rooster is doing the so-called "classic marek's pose", with one leg forward and one leg back.

 

[RoyalChick]

The little rooster is doing the so-called "classic marek's pose", with one leg forward and one leg back.

Is it a chick or an adult?
You can test for Marek’s with a PCR test. You send a swab to a company in Texas and can get same day results.

 

[no fly zone]

Is it a chick or an adult?
You can test for Marek’s with a PCR test. You send a swab to a company in Texas and can get same day results.

Approx. 2 months old

 

[GregnLety]

Then watching the other chicks closely will let you know. Also, I seem to remember they don't free range ? It would make a virus less probable unless it was already in your flock.

I also find it quite nice to see so many together! Love all the black birds!

What did you use to cut the holes to make the feeder ? We've got some gutter pipe left from the new roof and I'd like to try make feeders like your. Our grinder is way too big though.

Beautiful roosters ! Are red and cholo still living their best separate lives ?

Yes, we keep them separate and alternate days of free ranging. Yesterday was Cholo's day of freedom. Neither fights the other roosters but they seem to hate each other. I guess chickens can harbor grudges same as humans.