Texas

[SlipsWife]

We got an egg from one of our new Cream Legbar pullets today! We weren't expecting an egg on their first day!

 

[lovingmyhens]

Well since mine free range they make their own. They have several all over the yard. Even in large clay pots where the plant has died and I haven't replanted. They just jump up and dive in.

Shallow and wider works best. Mine like to get in the dirt together.
What is the Sulfur Dust benefits?

Hmm mine didn't wait for the plant to die. They just killed it and literally tossed it out. Then began to use the dirt.

 

[lovingmyhens]

It's not chick day today.  They said they are too fragile to sell and I need to wait a few days.  

Aww man!

 

[magpiesing]

Finally got a chance to get some pics today. The first one is of our new hatch with momma Belle. Still waiting to see if the other egg hatches. The others are of the 10 we got Thursday from TS and then one of me and our girls.
there is a shot of the bookshelf my hubby made into nest boxes. They seem to work well.

 

[magpiesing]

Refering to earlier post about chick grit...just pull up a clump of fresh tender grass, roots and dirt and all, put it in the brooder with chicks. No chemicals on it of course. Mine had a great time pecking at the dirt and grass until they flattened it. Good way for them to get use to running around on the local dirt too. They may have even found a tiny bug or too in it.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Revelation!!

I want to thank everyone for all your insight on the showing. Today I decided with the help of my kids that we are going to experiment with different type of birds we like, dabble if you will. Then after caring for a few different types and learning about them and after attending a few shows, then I will know if I really want to do that and with what breed.
So having said that, I am thinking I need to put a brooder in my coop some how. I was wondering if you might take a moment and look at this pictures and give me our opinion on how you would set this up as your coop and where you would locate a brooder. Placement of the nest and roosts, feeders and then a brooder...... I'm just not sure.

Anyone have any ideas??








Thank you in advance!!!

Not sure where the best location is. I would say somewhere quiet and sheltered. You will have a wonderful coop there.

We got an egg from one of our new Cream Legbar pullets today! We weren't expecting an egg on their first day!

I can't wait to get eggs like that! So pretty.

Aww man!

It is all for the best. I decided not to get silkies. They are super cute and I would like to have them one day, but not now. I want to try big girls first. Even if they dig up my yard. There isn't much to ruin our there anyway. lol! I will be getting my first chicks next week (I think). I'm all ready now.

I spoke to my neighbour and he will help me build the coop in May. The 'Blue Grass' coop that I really like. The one I bought the windows for.

I think I figured out a good plan to keep the pullets from being hawk food too. Sasha (dog) may not like it but she can live with it for a bit until I get the big run fenced in properly. I'm going to screen in the whole area that I posted the photo of (earlier today). She won't get to run the fence there, but she can still see through it.
The hawks seem to have a never ending supply of mice they are eating too. Maybe chicken isn't on their diet plan. I hope squirrel is. I'm tired of them tearing up the yard.

 

[A1momof3]

Finally got a chance to get some pics today. The first one is of our new hatch with momma Belle. Still waiting to see if the other egg hatches. The others are of the 10 we got Thursday from TS and then one of me and our girls.
there is a shot of the bookshelf my hubby made into nest boxes. They seem to work well.

They are so cute!! Just little balls of fluff!! So excited for you!

Not sure where the best location is. I would say somewhere quiet and sheltered. You will have a wonderful coop there.

I can't wait to get eggs like that! So pretty.

It is all for the best. I decided not to get silkies. They are super cute and I would like to have them one day, but not now. I want to try big girls first. Even if they dig up my yard. There isn't much to ruin our there anyway. lol! I will be getting my first chicks next week (I think). I'm all ready now.

I spoke to my neighbour and he will help me build the coop in May. The 'Blue Grass' coop that I really like. The one I bought the windows for.

I think I figured out a good plan to keep the pullets from being hawk food too. Sasha (dog) may not like it but she can live with it for a bit until I get the big run fenced in properly. I'm going to screen in the whole area that I posted the photo of (earlier today). She won't get to run the fence there, but she can still see through it.
The hawks seem to have a never ending supply of mice they are eating too. Maybe chicken isn't on their diet plan. I hope squirrel is. I'm tired of them tearing up the yard.

Thanks, I think it will be nice if I can ever get it started. To much info in my head.... will be better when I start to see it coming together. So I know how you feel, but it sound like you have a pretty good handle on what you are going to do and that's great!! Half the battle!

 

[henless]

Revelation!!
So having said that, I am thinking I need to put a brooder in my coop some how. I was wondering if you might take a moment and look at this pictures and give me our opinion on how you would set this up as your coop and where you would locate a brooder. Placement of the nest and roosts, feeders and then a brooder...... I'm just not sure.

Anyone have any ideas??








Thank you in advance!!!

Which is your North wall? Hopefully it's the wall on the left as you go into your coop. If not, then you may have to put up some walls to block off the winter winds.

I would put my roost up along the wall in the 2nd and 3rd picture. Give them more protection since it's not as open as the other sides. You may have to put a few vents up above the roosts to let out the moist air put out by the chickens. Do you plan on using a poop board or just let it fall to the ground? If a poop board, you can put your brooder under the roost/poop boards.

Are you wanting exterior nests or are you putting them in the coop? Looks like you should be able to put them on that short wall on the left, as you come into the coop.

I put my brooder along my North wall under my poop board (my 2 roosts will go above the brooder). It is 2 ft off the ground and measures 3 ft wide, 10 ft long and 2 foot deep.

There is a 2 foot vent along the top of the North wall and East wall (above my nests). The nests are on the right side, just out of the pic. I made 6 exterior access nests.




Here is my coop/run while under construction. It is 10 ft wide and 20 ft long. I used 2 of my horse stalls to construct it. I made an open air coop due to the summer heat. In the Winter, I can put up tarps along the far (West) wall to block off the wind.

It is all for the best. I decided not to get silkies. They are super cute and I would like to have them one day, but not now. I want to try big girls first. Even if they dig up my yard. There isn't much to ruin our there anyway. lol! I will be getting my first chicks next week (I think). I'm all ready now.

I spoke to my neighbour and he will help me build the coop in May. The 'Blue Grass' coop that I really like. The one I bought the windows for.

I like that coop! I think it will look very nice in your yard. So glad you going to be able to get some chicks!

 

[orumpoultry]

All these pictures of coops make me wish I could get my computer working to share the breeder coop I threw up today. Used reclamed wood off of my old horse barn that was destroyed a few years ago in the tornado. Its a 16x8. One side is 8x8x6 and completely open. I will use it for grow out pen. The other two areas are 5x6x8 and will be used for breeding trios. I'll put runs up on the breeder sides tomorrow, weather permitting. They'll be enclosed to prevent any escapes. I've had enough trouble chasing down my Houdini horse the past few days. At least she's staying on the property!

Managed to put a scope on the sly coyote that's been hunting the back, but my dogs charged her so I didn't get the shot... Maybe I'll bait her out with a spare roo from a friend...

The cats are still trying to figure out how to get then peeping delights out of their brooder in the shed. But I've managed to stop obsessively checking on them.

 

[hensfortherapy]

I'm behind in reading, but wanted to post. My dh is out there right now building my coop out of an old greenhouse turned garage. We are wanting to put an automatic door in the coop. Does anyone have good recommendations? We have a Tractor Supply nearby, but I don't know if they will have anything. They didn't have anything online. We sometimes leave town and it would be super great to be able to have a door that would let the chickens in and out while we are gone.

Thanks!

I love my Pulletshut doors. I liked the style because it fit the space on my tractor. When we built the second coop we planned for it. There are other types, but I don't now much about them.
Easy to install and set. I did not get the one that senses the sunlight. ClovisMan just got a different style automatic door.