Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

In an age where the darkest scum of our species is blocking the light from our lives it's hard to lose just one good person let alone a pioneer and advocate for the other species we live with but who have no say in the conservation of their environment.

 

[kattabelly]

Need to make a couple of alterations to the coop. It needs a window like I fitted to the Solway and the door needs replacing with something thicker than the one supplied. I've got a thicker sheet of aluminum that should do. No rush to do this. It's usable as is.

That's something I was wondering recently - how does the door work in areas with more predators? It doesn't latch or lock in any way, unless I just missed that on account of never needing to.

 

[Perris]

That's something I was wondering recently - how does the door work in areas with more predators? It doesn't latch or lock in any way, unless I just missed that on account of never needing to.

The leading edge slips in between the plastic sheet of the front and a trim piece cut from the same material, so it is not exposed. A predator would have to be able to pull the string to open it, or have gecko-like hands to stick to the aluminium, *and* know to try to move it in an arc sideways

 

[kattabelly]

The leading edge slips in between the plastic sheet of the front and a trim piece cut from the same material, so it is not exposed. A predator would have to be able to pull the string to open it, or have gecko-like hands to stick to the aluminium, *and* know to try to move it in an arc sideways

It just doesn't seem like it would take much snuffling or pawing from, say, a fox to move it just enough to open up a tiny gap. Happy to take your word for it though!

Some of my chickens have learnt to get through the door if it's open just a crack.

 

[Perris]

It just doesn't seem like it would take much snuffling or pawing from, say, a fox to move it just enough to open up a tiny gap.

it hasn't happened here in 8 years. Also, it wouldn't stay open. I can't see a fox using a paw to draw it aside like a curtain while s/he looks in and should one manage that here, its nose would probably get a swift and penetrating peck from the roo or old hen on door guard

 

[Perris]

Some of my chickens have learnt to get through the door if it's open just a crack.

yes I've been surprised by that too, when I've opened it just a little with the intention to allow more light in for a broody during hatch while keeping the rest out, only to find someone's squeezed in - or she's squeezed out for a poo! I think if there's enough of a gap for them to get a head in, they can flick it aside far enough to get their chest in, and then they're through.

 

[kattabelly]

yes I've been surprised by that too, when I've opened it just a little with the intention to allow more light in for a broody during hatch while keeping the rest out, only to find someone's squeezed in - or she's squeezed out for a poo! I think if there's enough of a gap for them to get a head in, they can flick it aside far enough to get their chest in, and then they're through.

No flick here, mine just barge in with a slight wiggle at the sticking points

 

[Perris]

I think I must owe some tax for all the coop talk. Here's Talgarth in his camouflage

 

[fluffycrow]

I think I must owe some tax for all the coop talk. Here's Talgarth in his camouflage View attachment 4229285

He’s turned into a stunning young male!

Thank you for updating us on him, I knew he was going to be gorgeous

 

[Mother of Chaos]

It just doesn't seem like it would take much snuffling or pawing from, say, a fox to move it just enough to open up a tiny gap. Happy to take your word for it though!

Some of my chickens have learnt to get through the door if it's open just a crack.

Well, the cord does keep it pulled closed, although I’m not convinced that we ever had it strung exactly right.

But since ours sits inside a protected run with a lockable human door, we stopped using the actual door when the summer got hot. I just took the back off and left it that way, at least until nights get back down to freezing.