Suspended chicken coop- why not?

[enrgizerbunny]

HAHAHAHA. Somehow they found a way around the vinyl, so when I went out to check on them I kicked them out and then pretty much stuffed the boxes with vinyl scraps. Then I picked up two of them and placed them on the roost. They would NOT let go of my hand I had to physically place their feet, but they keeled down quickly after that and didn't seem like they were going anywhere. Maybe they will have a chance at sleeping on the roost now...

My hand and mag lite had to be sanitized and I have either strengthened or destroyed what little trust my birds have in me, not sure which.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Yes only 3. It's unclear as to whether I'm legally allowed to have chickens, so I have to keep my operation low key with few birds and only hens. Also means I don't have to keep large facilities for them.

Checked my local zoning ordinance and while nothing prohibits poultry it'd livestock, nothing permits them except perhaps "home garden" language. But considering what else is permitted it'd be hard to argue that are prohibited. Plus, the sheriff deputy around the corner has chickens.

 

[speedy2020]

I have my box coop on top of the 3 stack cement blocks about 20" high. The space below to raise chicks, mean rooster, unwanted broody hen, etc..

 

[aart]

Wellhell....if the sheriff has them.....

When moving birds, use both hands to keep wings against their bodies, keep hold of wings until you get their feet onto roost, then slowly release wings as they get their balance on roost...being calm, talking softly. Once you do that a few times, and fully cover nest access ;-) they should catch on pretty quick.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Wellhell....if the sheriff has them.....

When moving birds, use both hands to keep wings against their bodies, keep hold of wings until you get their feet onto roost, then slowly release wings as they get their balance on roost...being calm, talking softly. Once you do that a few times, and fully cover nest access ;-)  they should catch on pretty quick.

That's what I normally do, but I was struggling with a big flashlight in my other hand that eventually went to my neck leaning in through a door about 15tx12w. All I could think was that I must have looked like somebody out of a cartoon or something, both shoulda in the coop, etc.

 

[aart]

Quote: Headlight...one of the best 'tools' I've ever purchased, use it everyday when locking up chooks.
I can only handle chicks with one hand before they're about 3-4 weeks old, after that.....gotta use both hands.

 

[duluthralphie]

Energizerbunny,,

We made ( or I at least) an assumption you would know we meant a 2x4 with the 4 inch (3.5 inch) side up for the roost....not the 1.5 inch side up..



I agree your stick looks wide enough where the chicken is. As long as they can cover their cute little toe nails. The first picture and way you described it, it looked too narrow to me.

It is good to take everything you hear about chicken raising here and elsewhere with a pinch of salt. While I like to get others input, as it helps me decide, I never consider anything as gospel. There are as many ways to raise chickens as there are bellybuttons in the world.

 

[duluthralphie]

Headlight...one of the best 'tools' I've ever purchased, use it everyday when locking up chooks.
I can only handle chicks with one hand before they're about 3-4 weeks old, after that.....gotta use both hands.

A must in any chicken owners bag of tools! And a fish landing net! Trying to grab the bird with those leg catchers can be a tad rough on Net handler and bird.


EB.(too long to write energizerbunny everytime)... Go visit the deputy and ask him how he got a permit for chickens or if one is needed. It could not hurt anything. He may even tell you with a wink and a nod, you can't get a permit, just keep them quiet and no one will say anything...Or he might tell you it is legal....

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Energizerbunny,,

We made ( or I at least)  an assumption you would know we meant a 2x4 with the 4 inch (3.5 inch) side up for the roost....not the 1.5 inch side up..

I missed that part, actually. No worries.

I'm stubborn and typically have to learn my lessons the hard way. While slightly at the expense of the chickens, they seem to be relatively happy/healthy, but it's very apparent that they need more space and a taller coop to accommodate the roost properly. According to the fresh line of poop on the floor it appears at least 2 slept on the roost last night, so making progress here.

 

[enrgizerbunny]

A must in any chicken owners bag of tools!    And a fish landing net!   Trying to grab the bird with those leg catchers can be a tad rough on Net handler and bird.


EB.(too long to write energizerbunny everytime)...  Go visit the deputy and ask him how he got a permit for chickens or if one is needed.  It could not hurt anything. He may even tell you with a wink and a nod, you can't get a permit, just keep them quiet and no one will say anything...Or he might tell you it is legal....

I drink beer with him on a weekly basis, there's no permit. I live on a residential area in a rural county, so while I have conveniences of a neighborhood, we can still burn leaves in the fall and I go shooting at a neighbor's house two streets over. A lot of the municipal codes that counties normally have simply don't exist or are very vague/lenient. We don't have a mandatory leash law, for example.