Surviving Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

I have a 10x10 kennel that is being converted into a covered run for when we're not home. I was going to do hardware cloth on the bottom and lay about a foot on the surface like you mentioned. That would leave another 2ft or so to cover the bottom half of the kennel. From there, I was just going to use the extra chicken wire I have and wrap it around to cover another 3ft or so. Do you think that's enough protection over the fencing or should I go higher? The door area is going to be a headache to cover. I never used just straight fencing before.

That is a good question. I have dog kennels I would like to convert to chicken pens too, I am just not sure what to do. Covering the whole things with hardware cloth seems excessive. I might put a cover over them, and roosts up high in them so the birds can escape and take my chances using them as a breeding pen.

I am open to anyone's suggestions.

 

[Cebarmlds]

All 7 have hatched!

 

[Cebarmlds]

So you just bend the bottom foot at a 90 degree and leave it across the top of the ground or you dig it down. I would imagine you would have to dig it down about a foot to prevent the burrowers. After seeing the 2nd bald eagle nest in our pasture we have now decide to make a run or multiple runs instead of free ranging......the only thing that is constant is CHANGE. I hope everyone had a productive weekend like I did, did a little work around the house and coop. I worked for my companies charity event Saturday evening....great event. Then on Sunday celebrated my Mother's birthday and Mothers Day, hit a few softballs and finished the day by working on the farm a few hours. Got to hear daughter's little roo attempt to crow, sounded more like squaaaaak, but I will give him an A for effort he did stand on the top roost bar and stood straight and tall.

I left mine on top of the ground and then bought some rolls of sod and laid it over the hardware cloth.

 

[jerryse]

River bottoms . River is nearly a mile away . Trees should be in full leaf within the week .
Grafted pear success .



Toka plum .

 

[MNChickMom]

That is a good question. I have dog kennels I would like to convert to chicken pens too, I am just not sure what to do. Covering the whole things with hardware cloth seems excessive. I might put a cover over them, and roosts up high in them so the birds can escape and take my chances using them as a breeding pen.

I am open to anyone's suggestions.

The chain link dog kennel is exactly what we were going to do. Just have to get the hardware cloth. I don't recall if ours is a 9x12 or a 10x10 we intend to wrap the bottom 3 feet with hardware cloth and 1 foot fold down. Prior to today it was one foot dig down so my husband will be so happy! We are using it as a covered run, I fully expect them to go back into the coop for overnights. Only water will be outside if I get my way. I would like to keep my feed inside... well at this point at least.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

My other hang up was how to attach the hardware cloth to the fencing. I was looking at zip ties, but DH worries they could be chewed through too easily. He's starting to sound like me

I was also looking at aluminum fence ties, but I just don't know if they'll give me the tightness I want. I'll take a picture later to show we what we're using as a temporary roof. The mini duckling massacre of 2016 has me on edge! Bring them all inside I say!

 

[MNChickMom]

We are alternating larger zip ties and aluminium fence ties then on the corners we are using hose clamps. Adds to the style.

Thank god this coop is in the back yard it will be a rigged up eye sore when done.....but at least it will be from recycled materials.

 

[jerryse]

It has been really fragrant around here this spring . First the wild plums then the domestic plums , Autumn Olive ,Wisteria starting , bush honeysuckle and Lilac starting . Wonderful !

 

[duluthralphie]

My lilacs are greening nicely but no flowers yet. I keep waiting... I got my 3 loads of compost today. They did not go as far as I had hoped, I put 2 in the garden, and one in the yard where I need to plant grass or lay sod. Not sure yet.


Busy day, post more in the AM.

 

[chickenlover292]

Morning Everyone. I was wondering if anyone else in this thread experienced a "Early Hatch" with Welp Hatchery. My mom told me that our chicks may be shipped out this weekend instead of next weekend. She is all worried that no one will be home to put them into the brooder because we would all be in Hackensack, MN picking up bees at Mann Lake Ltd.