Texas

[lovingmyhens]

Good Morning!
It is nearly the end of my work week and I can't be more excited. End of school is just around the corner and we are all feeling it!
Have a good one y'all!
Melanie
Hung-how are you feeling these days?? Any more pics of the baby?

 

[harley1975]

Good Morning Harley!

I have electric fencing running around the base of my fence.  Hung has the raccoons and possums, I just have the hawks, owls, and dogs.  I forgot, I have skunks too!

Lisa

Good morning or maybe say good night I have not been to sleep yet. Came to bed around 9pm but can not sleep. I have all the above here plus foxes , coyotes and big foot was seen with an official report ( see Link below) where I am just out side of whitehouse my plan is to make my run using pvc pipe to make a hoop with 2x6 frame at the bottom with the welded wire that has the 2x4 openings zipped tied to the pvc and screwed to the frame. Then have not decided if I am going to put hardware cloth longtime bottom 3ft or the welded wire that is 1/2x1 to keep the raccoons from reaching through to get the chickens. http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=31912

 

[A1momof3]

Clovis, I do believe that is the most naked raccoon I've ever seen in my life. Poor little feller.

Raccoon!! Your right, now that makes totally since! LOL

We use welded wire fencing for side and top of runs with a layer of chicken wire 3 feet tall on the sides of the runs layered underneath the welded wire. The chicken wire keeps small chicken body parts inside and the welded wire keeps things out. We don't have as big of a run as you have, since our setup is entirely mobile - large chicken tractors that I move with a vehicle - but you can put wire over the top of your run as long as you put in some support posts and joists to hold up the wire. Don't forget that you'll need good deep shade for your run. We use shade cloth on the tops as well as the sides of the runs, to provide shade throughout the day as the sun moves - but we have NO trees for any kind of shade.

OH we have trees that's why I'm insisting on the cover. My DH and I had a remodeling company while we lived in Houston area and he worked as a carpenter in his younger days so he is very good at constructing things but with that comes a good mind for price, money, cost if supplies..... That's why he is baaaakkkkking at the cover. But I shall win out! Chicken wire, 2 layers off set each other is what I was thinking.

My coop/run combo is 10 x 20 ft. I used 2 stalls out of my barn to do it. It has a tin roof and hardware cloth for the sides. OSB is along the North wall, and along the East & West wall about 5 ft. The plan is to build an outdoor run that is 20 x 20 feet. It will have hardware cloth for the sides and top. This is a pic of the West side. The run will start at the white corner and go all the way to the right where the wire ends. In essence, the run will be twice as big as the coop. This is the East side. As you can see, the whole 10 x 10 "stall" on the end is total cloth wire. The "coop" section is on the far North end. You can see more pics from the link in my signature. I've heard that also. So far, all of mine have made it just fine. May lose some as they get older, but so far so good. She was just helping you pick it for supper! Welcome to the BYC! This is a great thread. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Don't forget, we also have Squatches here in Texas! I don't know what is prettier. Your chickens or your lovely horse!!! We never did get much rain today. I dug up some snacks for the girls. They really enjoyed the greens! Then some decided to lie down in the sun for a nap, while others wanted to get in their bath tub! I love to just sit and watch them.

Ok first what is OSB! Next my run/pen should be twice the size it's going to be, but DH put his foot down,

so I backed down for now.... But I have a plan! Teehee I can't wait to get it all finished. I too love to sit and watch them and I'm excited to get to see how the react out side. They bring me much Joy!

The coop looks even better now. I got it painted over the weekend, but haven't taken any pics to post yet. It's barn red. The tub is the bottom third of a 55 gallon plastic barrel. One of my horse feeders. I have several, all sizes and all colors. We used them for water, grain and hay.

Yep I have a tub like that I am going to use for their bath.

My neighbor came over to check something on our pool for us. He built it. Did a spectacular job. The girls came up from the back of the yard to check him out. Odd because they usually run from strangers. He always acts so standoffish to the chickens. I suspect they have won him over with their little chicken ways. Then they pooped on the pool

deck.

See this another reason we don't free range. Chicken poo don't belong on my cement pond!! (Hillbilly humor got to love it)

I used fishing line for my covering. It looks like a giant spider web. It has been up for 2 1/2 years now. We are getting ready to put new fencing up (the same one Ms. jellybean had a picture of) and will use fishing line again. She and Reba McIntyre have the same coloring!! Welcome from Rosenberg! We are the forum of enablers!! Baaaaaaaawkkkkk, cluck, cluck 'CHICKEN'!!!! (typing chicken sounds is hard) Lisa

I too heard the sound as I read it so you did very good! LOL so do you have a pic some where of the fishing line? I think where mine is I'm going to have problems from all critters! I need a stone fort!

@henless...I decided to go with the new Purina Omega 3. the girls seem to like it. I'm also spoiling them rotten with melons, cabbage, lettuce, and other goodies!

Ok what is this rotten you speak of?

Good Morning Harley! I have electric fencing running around the base of my fence. Hung has the raccoons and possums, I just have the hawks, owls, and dogs. I forgot, I have skunks too! Lisa

I have them all AND where I live the big foot hunter where even here in our town and our neighbor town of Mineola! So niw I have to make it Big Foot proof! Lol

Here a few pics I took yesterday but I didn't get one of the finished work at the end of the day... My phone died. So I'll get those later. DH is not well this morning. I think he has decided I can call the dr. So staying in and going to the dr are the two things on the list for him today. If I can get away I will go out and work a little maybe! Hope y'all have a great day today!!

 

[A1momof3]

Good morning or maybe say good night I have not been to sleep yet. Came to bed around 9pm but can not sleep. I have all the above here plus foxes , coyotes and big foot was seen with an official report ( see Link below) where I am just out side of whitehouse my plan is to make my run using pvc pipe to make a hoop with 2x6 frame at the bottom with the welded wire that has the 2x4 openings zipped tied to the pvc and screwed to the frame. Then have not decided if I am going to put hardware cloth longtime bottom 3ft or the welded wire that is 1/2x1 to keep the raccoons from reaching through to get the chickens. http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=31912

OMG wood county is on there too. WOW!

 

[RustedOak]

Good morning ladies and gents... I'm exhausted this morning. Diesel mechanic by day, chicken tractor carpenter by evening, local musician by night is beginning to catch up to me! Everyday brings me one step closer to getting my chickens though. Muggy and humid today with a chance for thunder storms. We could use the rain of course, but the hardcore stuff I can do without! I'll be hunkered down with the chupacabras and sasquaches I guess. lol

 

[TexasLisa]

Good morning or maybe say good night I have not been to sleep yet. Came to bed around 9pm but can not sleep. I have all the above here plus foxes , coyotes and big foot was seen with an official report ( see Link below) where I am just out side of whitehouse my plan is to make my run using pvc pipe to make a hoop with 2x6 frame at the bottom with the welded wire that has the 2x4 openings zipped tied to the pvc and screwed to the frame. Then have not decided if I am going to put hardware cloth longtime bottom 3ft or the welded wire that is 1/2x1 to keep the raccoons from reaching through to get the chickens. http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=31912

Very interesting story! I have heard of people burying cinder blocks and/or tin siding to keep animals from digging. Harley, why aren't you sleeping? Have I upset you that much??? I would sing you to sleep, but you would probably have nightmares!!!

I too heard the sound as I read it so you did very good! LOL so do you have a pic some where of the fishing line? I think where mine is I'm going to have problems from all critters! I need a stone fort!






Here a few pics I took yesterday but I didn't get one of the finished work at the end of the day... My phone died. So I'll get those later. DH is not well this morning. I think he has decided I can call the dr. So staying in and going to the dr are the two things on the list for him today. If I can get away I will go out and work a little maybe!
Hope y'all have a great day today!!

Very nice looking coop! I am sorry your husband is still sick. Good luck at the doctor. Hopefully it is something a few days rest will take care of.

Here are two pictures I took this morning. My pen is between two buildings. I hope you can see the fishing line.





Lisa

(HARLEY: I TOOK PICTURES)

 

[chickieluver26]

Hello fellow texans!!! Alicia here and I am thinking about hatching some frizzle/normal seramas, bantam frizzle Cochins, silkies, showgirls, and some golden laced bantam polish eggs in late June/ early July. The releasing for me telling y'all is we will keep some and give 4-5 to a first time chicken owner friend, if we hatch all of them (but I highly doubt it) or we hatch roosters we need a good home set up so PM me if you would be interested. Thanks!!

 

[A1momof3]

Good morning ladies and gents... I'm exhausted this morning. Diesel mechanic by day, chicken tractor carpenter by evening, local musician by night is beginning to catch up to me! Everyday brings me one step closer to getting my chickens though. Muggy and humid today with a chance for thunder storms. We could use the rain of course, but the hardcore stuff I can do without! I'll be hunkered down with the chupacabras and sasquaches I guess. lol

What kind of music of you play and where all do you preform?

Very interesting story! I have heard of people burying cinder blocks and/or tin siding to keep animals from digging. Harley, why aren't you sleeping? Have I upset you that much??? I would sing you to sleep, but you would probably have nightmares!!! Very nice looking coop! I am sorry your husband is still sick. Good luck at the doctor. Hopefully it is something a few days rest will take care of. Here are two pictures I took this morning. My pen is between two buildings. I hope you can see the fishing line. Lisa (HARLEY: I TOOK PICTURES)

I'm creeping on my phone, I'll get on my computer in a few and check your pics out better!

 

[Teri Metcalf]

She and Reba McIntyre have the same coloring!!

It's funny you should mention that. It wasn't conscious when I named her. She had a sister named Ruby, and I just thought the two names Ruby and Reba sounded cute together.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Looks like a pretty good feed. My girls love treats! Eggs are their favorite, but meal worms and earthworms are a close second. They also like strawberries, grapes, bananas, apples, spinach and pomegranate.

I'm hoping to get my 2nd roost up this morning and maybe get some more leaves raked and put in the pen before it starts any raining. Once the girls are out and about, they can sure pack down the floor covering.

Here is one of my EEs from yesterday. Took a while for this pic to get through. Her name is Arnett, "Little Eagle".




Looks like storms are brewing for a large part of Texas today. We really need rain, but the severe stuff we can do without. Take care and have a safe day!

She is pretty! I love the feathering on her head. She looks kind of hawkish.

Good morning or maybe say good night I have not been to sleep yet. Came to bed around 9pm but can not sleep. I have all the above here plus foxes , coyotes and big foot was seen with an official report ( see Link below) where I am just out side of whitehouse my plan is to make my run using pvc pipe to make a hoop with 2x6 frame at the bottom with the welded wire that has the 2x4 openings zipped tied to the pvc and screwed to the frame. Then have not decided if I am going to put hardware cloth longtime bottom 3ft or the welded wire that is 1/2x1 to keep the raccoons from reaching through to get the chickens. http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=31912

Hope you get some good rest Harley. I don't think you need to worry about big foot too much. that report says he was seen in 1972. I'm sure he is long gone by now. Probably moved to Louisiana.

Raccoon!! Your right, now that makes totally since! LOL
OH we have trees that's why I'm insisting on the cover. My DH and I had a remodeling company while we lived in Houston area and he worked as a carpenter in his younger days so he is very good at constructing things but with that comes a good mind for price, money, cost if supplies..... That's why he is baaaakkkkking at the cover. But I shall win out! Chicken wire, 2 layers off set each other is what I was thinking.
Ok first what is OSB! Next my run/pen should be twice the size it's going to be, but DH put his foot down,

so I backed down for now.... But I have a plan! Teehee I can't wait to get it all finished. I too love to sit and watch them and I'm excited to get to see how the react out side. They bring me much Joy!
Yep I have a tub like that I am going to use for their bath.

See this another reason we don't free range. Chicken poo don't belong on my cement pond!! (Hillbilly humor got to love it)
I too heard the sound as I read it so you did very good! LOL so do you have a pic some where of the fishing line? I think where mine is I'm going to have problems from all critters! I need a stone fort!
Ok what is this rotten you speak of?
I have them all AND where I live the big foot hunter where even here in our town and our neighbor town of Mineola! So niw I have to make it Big Foot proof! Lol





Here a few pics I took yesterday but I didn't get one of the finished work at the end of the day... My phone died. So I'll get those later. DH is not well this morning. I think he has decided I can call the dr. So staying in and going to the dr are the two things on the list for him today. If I can get away I will go out and work a little maybe!
Hope y'all have a great day today!!

OSB is basically plywood. Hope your hubby feels better soon. Your chicken coop is going to be very nice when it is finished.

Very interesting story! I have heard of people burying cinder blocks and/or tin siding to keep animals from digging. Harley, why aren't you sleeping? Have I upset you that much??? I would sing you to sleep, but you would probably have nightmares!!!

Very nice looking coop! I am sorry your husband is still sick. Good luck at the doctor. Hopefully it is something a few days rest will take care of.

Here are two pictures I took this morning. My pen is between two buildings. I hope you can see the fishing line.





Lisa

(HARLEY: I TOOK PICTURES)

That is a nice set up Lisa. I hope to have some land someday out in the country.


Sasha woke me up last night around 2am. She was very adamant about getting outside. I opened the backdoor but didn't see anything in the yard so I let her out. She flew out the door, making a quick stop to pick up her blue ball (her obsession) and was down the steps and to the fence in a flash. At this point I knew something was out there and figured it was a cat. Then I saw what she was chasing around the yard. It was an armadillo! It was a young one, maybe a year old. When I saw it I knew it was an armadillo but my mind kept thinking, what if that is a giant rat? It was kind of dark out there.... Sasha kept chasing it around the yard until it must have finally remembered where it got in and it made its way over to the front gate and left. It was pretty funny. Sasha had fun.
Do armadillos bother chickens? I'd think not. They sure do like to dig up the yard looking for grubs though. :/