Story of a boy and his chickens.

[Zackman23434]

You will also notice some paneling which I used to close off nesting boxes and cover up areas where mails protruded. May insulate and actually sheath it down the road. Nest boxes are incomplete anyway as I made them where and elephant could stand on them but at the same time made them almost impossible to finish due to my construction faults.

Anyways here are some pictures I took yesterday. I've taken a particular liking to Elvis my GLW. Pretty sure he is a Roo. He was the first to get a comb and only with a waddle so far. The problem is I have nothing to compare him to. The deleware roo and RIR roo are easy to see As they both got wattles fast and no one else hardly has any and non that are as large and red as theirs. They also are the most brave and least liked to be touched. I did notice some green tips to Elvis' feathers today which all but confirms my suspicions. I will try and get pictures of that tomorow. Anyways enjoy

 

[Zackman23434]

 

[Zackman23434]

:/

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Elvis is a looker! I don't envy you working in the heat, but it is all worth it for the chickens.

 

[Zackman23434]

Run construction

 

[GitaBooks]

You've got some gorgeous chickens!

 

[Zackman23434]

Thanks all! Any ideas on what to cover the run with? The post can be cut later as the top 2x6 is basically 6 feet and the top of the run. I can construct an actual roof down the road but I'm looking for speed. Like everything else that run is going to be a few inches over 8 feet or I would just simply buy two sheet of osb for a temporary cover over that first section. But being wider then 8 feet makes that more difficult( which I am getting used to). I'm thinking of running lumber across the two sides and still maybe doing that and just having a gap on each end. Getting to points like this is what slows me down. I don't really want to spend a bundle again on enough hardware cloth to cover that entire top but may have to. Osb with a gap means a lot more cutting of hardware cloth. Sigh...

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Thanks all! Any ideas on what to cover the run with? The post can be cut later as the top 2x6 is basically 6 feet and the top of the run. I can construct an actual roof down the road but I'm looking for speed. Like everything else that run is going to be a few inches over 8 feet or I would just simply buy two sheet of osb for a temporary cover over that first section. But being wider then 8 feet makes that more difficult( which I am getting used to). I'm thinking of running lumber across the two sides and still maybe doing that and just having a gap on each end. Getting to points like this is what slows me down. I don't really want to spend a bundle again on enough hardware cloth to cover that entire top but may have to. Osb with a gap means a lot more cutting of hardware cloth. Sigh...

I have one coop run that is covered with avian netting and another that is covered with welded wire fencing. Or maybe some heavy duty tarp stapled on until you find a permanent solution. I guess there are not many roofing panels that come in over 8 feet long...

 

[snow5164]

We used plastic hardware cloth from tractor supply , hubby said it was nice to put up but it stretches ..... We covered one 5 foot section with metal siding for rain.

I feed mine frozen peas and corn in the heat

 

[Brookliner]

I have used polycarbonate corrigated roofing to cover all my runs. Available at both Home Depot and Lowes. It comes in 8 and 12 ft lengths and is 26 in wide allowing for a 2 inch overlap on each side. It has withstood the heavy snow loads of our last 2 winters here in New Hampshire. It is relatively easy to put up. Below is a picture of my runs/coops and a picture of the run covered with snow. You have done a great job on your coop. I can only recommend making your runs high enough for you to walk into without bending. It will save your back. I cover the wire walls of the run in the winter with clear 6 mil contractor's plastic sheeting to keep the wind and snow out.