Started the new coop build

[saysfaa]

... I dug it up today and water is only coming out of a big root that was cut, some sort of vine that grows into the trees ( apparently grape vines ? ) ... I thought it would make a natural water hole for the chickens but not so sure I trust the water rom the roots?

https://www.natureword.com/properties-and-benefits-of-grapevine-sap/

That link is for human use but it describes collecting vinesap - maybe slip or tape a tube over the end of the vine to collect it?

Grape should be easy to identify. Even if you aren't sure, it is a way to keep the sap out of your run.

 

[MadGardener]

I have huge grape vines like that at my place too. My property was pretty neglected for a few years before I arrived. The vines have killed many black locusts (sadly, great firewood), and is causing many of the tulip trees (dominant mature species) to lose their tops.

Based on my experience, and as someone who avoids chemical warfare, I suggest painting the stump with glyphosate. These vines are gnarly and I could see it easily harming a structure given enough time.

 

[Sono]

I have huge grape vines like that at my place too. My property was pretty neglected for a few years before I arrived. The vines have killed many black locusts (sadly, great firewood), and is causing many of the tulip trees (dominant mature species) to lose their tops.

Based on my experience, and as someone who avoids chemical warfare, I suggest painting the stump with glyphosate. These vines are gnarly and I could see it easily harming a structure given enough time.

Yup, I was, am still clearing a small patch of cedars for a garden and cut some of these vines looking like a small tree growing next to the trees. They are just pouring out water, sap, whatever it is still and its been months. It is so tough I had a couple cedars stop dead in the midst of a fell, using a pole saw if I could reach to cut them or roping to my truck to pull them the rest of the way down. What should have been a weekend job has taken months now... only 8 more to go now LOL
Going to split them to make raised bed sides.

 

[3KillerBs]

Going to split them to make raised bed sides.

What a great idea!

 

[MadGardener]

Yup, I was, am still clearing a small patch of cedars for a garden and cut some of these vines looking like a small tree growing next to the trees. They are just pouring out water, sap, whatever it is still and its been months. It is so tough I had a couple cedars stop dead in the midst of a fell, using a pole saw if I could reach to cut them or roping to my truck to pull them the rest of the way down. What should have been a weekend job has taken months now... only 8 more to go now LOL
Going to split them to make raised bed sides.

I didn't realize they bled sap that long! With vines, I find leaving the tops to die off a little before pulling can help. My problem areas are far from the house and buried in invasive multiflora rose so they sit during warmer weather.

Raised beds and edging is a great idea!

 

[Sono]

Started the enclosure.... found out the fencing we ordered was the wrong stuff (2in chicken wire) so returning it and getting hardware cloth instead, will be much sturdier. Well, posts are set and leveled, And had several visitors hiding in the stack of lumber.

 

[Sono]

Ive been trying to find the guidelines for coop/run size for each chicken. I thought it was 4sqft in coop and 10sqft in run for each chicken?

I will have 12 (but planned for 14) .... but will have that option later to add 2 more

The coop build is 8'w X 8'd X 8'h, 4 nesting boxes , several perches at different levels ( may do a ladder type lean perch on the wall ) will add a sharp slanted roof over the nesting boxes so they cant perch or sit n crap on the nesting boxes. Plenty of ventilation as the roof eaves will be open but covered in hardware cloth as well as the crank open window., later I will close off the front wall with a mandoor with an access cut out for the hens. will probly add a solar fan to keep it cool inside during the summer. I have it placed so it is in the shade mostly in the summer and in full sun during the winter.
The run is 12'w X 20'l.... so should be more than enough roon for them especially in the run. Going to re-design the feeder to go outside instead of in the coop as well as the water.
The run will be filled with wood mulch as well as around it so we are not walking in mud to retrieve eggs, wire fencing is being laid and secured to the run and posts to prevent digging

 

[3KillerBs]

Ive been trying to find the guidelines for coop/run size for each chicken. I thought it was 4sqft in coop and 10sqft in run for each chicken?

Yes, here's the full set of numbers for you:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

12 hens

• 48 square feet in the coop. 6'x8' is more practical than 4'x12' since a long, skinny coop like that would be difficult to work inside.
• 12 feet of roost
• 120 square feet in the run. 10'x12' or 8'x15' -- 8'x16' means fewer odd cuts than either of those. 6'x20' is possible, especially if your run is an open-topped, fenced area instead of fully-enclosed with a solid and/or wire roof but risks social problems because subordinate hens need to be able to pass the dominant hens at a respectful distance.
• 12 square feet of ventilation.
• 3 nest boxes.

Your plan to have extra space for future additions is wise. Especially since these numbers are only suggested minimums and integration of newcomers takes extra space.

The run is 12'w X 20'l.... so should be more than enough roon for them especially in the run. Going to re-design the feeder to go outside instead of in the coop as well as the water.

I don't think that anyone has ever regretted giving their chickens extra space.

I had my DH make me a feeder/waterer shelter for out in my run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/an-outdoor-shelter-for-the-feeder-and-waterer.76487/

 

[Sono]

Yes, here's the full set of numbers for you:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

12 hens

• 48 square feet in the coop. 6'x8' is more practical than 4'x12' since a long, skinny coop like that would be difficult to work inside.
• 12 feet of roost
• 120 square feet in the run. 10'x12' or 8'x15' -- 8'x16' means fewer odd cuts than either of those. 6'x20' is possible, especially if your run is an open-topped, fenced area instead of fully-enclosed with a solid and/or wire roof but risks social problems because subordinate hens need to be able to pass the dominant hens at a respectful distance.
• 12 square feet of ventilation.
• 3 nest boxes.

Your plan to have extra space for future additions is wise. Especially since these numbers are only suggested minimums and integration of newcomers takes extra space.



I don't think that anyone has ever regretted giving their chickens extra space.

I had my DH make me a feeder/waterer shelter for out in my run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/an-outdoor-shelter-for-the-feeder-and-waterer.76487/

My water will be a 275 gallon tote connected to the gutter system, Feeder will be a large barrel with the pvc access holes at bottom. My current 5 gallon bucket works great for the original 6, just upgrading to a large barrel for the additioal chicks when they are all rehommed to the new coop. Hope to have them moved over before end of the month.

 

[Sono]

Well, I transitioned the nuggets out with the other hens, They are doing well, at first the littles stayed in their group as did the hens. I placed them inside the coop as the hens were outside the coop in the run, about an hour later the littles were out in the run on their own terms, now they are all mixed in and doing well. No fighting, pecking or bullying so far and been a few hours now.