Sitting with a cup of coffee. (coffee lovers)

[chickadoodles]

I do love to admire ducks, swans and geese but I don't want to take care of them. I'll Just admire them from afar.

 

[chickwhispers]

I don't want the poo that goes with them I just want some. Haven't figured out how that would work, yet.

 

[chickadoodles]

I don't want the poo that goes with them I just want some. Haven't figured out how that would work, yet.

 

[pollitos2013]

Hi everybody - i have been reading all the posts and enjoying the egg debate and new egg layer celebration. I have been busy trying to winterize here as last winter we got 256 inches of snow. I am new to country living and chickens and horses and big gardens so I have a lot of work.

Alaskan - what do you suggest to put on top of my chicken run to keep the eagles and hawks out? I remember something about cement wire - what is that? I have some extra fence left over with 2x4 inch rectangles. And I think I need something on the sides to keep the wind/drifts down - should I tarp the sides?

I saved and saved and bought a used kubota tractor with a loader to move horse poop, sawdust, and snow. Here are my big babies on a coffee break

 

[chickwhispers]

OOH! @pollitos2013 What beautiful horses and horsemanship! Who are the riders? Nice! Winterizing is alot of work but you have your work cut out for you up there with all the snow! Congrats on the 'bota! You will definitely need it and use it alot! I would love to have one. Earlier this year we got a bota UTV to replace a stolen Kawasaki mule from 1 1/2 years ago, just no comparison in the equipment. Enjoy!

I'm using clear vinyl on my run to let sunlight in. I put a metal roof on mine since I work overnights alot I wanted to make sure the girls were safe as possible.

 

[pollitos2013]

My niece is riding the paint and I am riding my Tennessee Walker who didnot want to stop and have his photo taken. Good thing I know how to hang on!

 

[chickwhispers]

Wow! You look like a Pro!

 

[mrbigschickens]

...

My niece is riding the paint and I am riding my Tennessee Walker who didnot want to stop and have his photo taken. Good thing I know how to hang on!

[/quote
That's how I learned how to ride my father put me on the back of the horse and slapped it on the rear I learned how to hang on. LoL
I suppose that would be considered bad parenting today but as they say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and I'm still here.

 

[Bunnylady]

Actually, today it would be considered animal abuse.

 

[Alaskan]

as to the roofing of a run..... Mine don't like going out in the snow and wind very much... I force them to go out, by keeping the feed and water outside. However, sometimes the kids just feel sorry for the chickens and bring it into the shed part (which does have lots of venting).


Blocking the wind with clear sheeting is very helpful.

Something on the top is very helpful to keep out the raptors......

The 2x4 wire will keep everything out, but it isn't still enough to hold up to a snow load. If you usually have DRY snow, it won't be a problem. If however you have WET sticky snow, then the snow will stick to the 2x4 wire and pull it down, or at least bend it (depending on how you have it supported).

The concrete wire that I have used is excellent since it is stiff enough to hold up to any snow load.

The bantam coop that I am still working on (

) I put the concrete wire up, and added a layer of chicken wire, so that nothing can get through. With the concrete wire, if you use only one layer, has to be completely horizontal, if it is too vertical then chickens can land in the squares and the climb out of the run.

I will see if I can post a good picture of the bantam coop run roof.