Texas

[ABlackDogRanch]

After much talk, but not much "doing," my coop is 90% done (I think). If all goes according to plan, I should get some pullets tomorrow!

The coop is 12'x8'x8'...in the open air coop/run combined style. We used all found wood or rejected wood (at a steep discount from the Habitat ReStore). We didn't have a saw, so used the dimensions available to us. The roosting bars are felled wood.

Still to be added: door, latches, more roosting bars, sand, waterer/feeder, and chickens! Also roosting boxes and ladder to the boxes in a few weeks.

Keeping in mind that my budget only allows me to spend $50 or less on the rest of this project....does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[RachaelS]

Sorry no suggestions, but that is looking good, very open!

 

[tcmstalcup]

So you put the peat moss on top, like some would use mulch?  Water is super valuable to me, I am on a rain water system. Lived in Austin all my life and each year it just get worse and worse.  There used to be underground springs near my moms house that always had soft green moss around them.  They are long gone. We have "brooks" all around and I used to catch craw fish in them as a kid, now they only have water in them when it rains hard and long.

Yes we are using peat moss as mulch. It really sucks the water when u first put it down but holds it in the soil beautifully. The paper and peat can be turned right into the soil at the end of the season

 

[RachaelS]

Quote:
LOVE it! Will have to tell DH, the garden is really his this year

 

[TexasLisa]

Originally Posted by ChickensInHats

Welcome from Rosenberg!

I said I would get some pics of the small coop I finished today. I did not get the pvc for the top today so I put a peace of plywood on top for now. Here are the pics.






I also went to Atwoods and picked up you guessed it more chickens I got 4 black silkies

Very nice coop Harley!!! You forgot pictures of your new chicks!

After much talk, but not much "doing," my coop is 90% done (I think). If all goes according to plan, I should get some pullets tomorrow!

The coop is 12'x8'x8'...in the open air coop/run combined style. We used all found wood or rejected wood (at a steep discount from the Habitat ReStore). We didn't have a saw, so used the dimensions available to us. The roosting bars are felled wood.

Still to be added: door, latches, more roosting bars, sand, waterer/feeder, and chickens! Also roosting boxes and ladder to the boxes in a few weeks.

Keeping in mind that my budget only allows me to spend $50 or less on the rest of this project....does anyone have any suggestions?

That is coming along very well! What kind of chickens are you getting?

Lisa

 

[SlipsWife]

I said I would get some pics of the small coop I finished today. I did not get the pvc for the top today so I put a peace of plywood on top for now. Here are the pics.
I also went to Atwoods and picked up you guessed it more chickens I got 4 black silkies

Love the coop!

As for the new chicks, we need pictures for proof...and I'm jealous!!!

 

[TammyTX]

After much talk, but not much "doing," my coop is 90% done (I think). If all goes according to plan, I should get some pullets tomorrow!

The coop is 12'x8'x8'...in the open air coop/run combined style. We used all found wood or rejected wood (at a steep discount from the Habitat ReStore). We didn't have a saw, so used the dimensions available to us. The roosting bars are felled wood.

Still to be added: door, latches, more roosting bars, sand, waterer/feeder, and chickens! Also roosting boxes and ladder to the boxes in a few weeks.

Keeping in mind that my budget only allows me to spend $50 or less on the rest of this project....does anyone have any suggestions?

....Craigslist??

Maybe you could get some free pallets to construct the other items you need?

 

[Brookshire11]

Ok guys..tough question: When and how do you decide to cull a chick?

My smallest GCM, with a hatch day of Sunday/Monday, is still bleeding a TINY bit from her umbilical site.
Then she has this bulge,,it's a little mushy


Weird picture sorry. It's her vent top left and her umbilical stub near the far right She also keeps peeping incessantly. I've seen quite a few chicks pass...she's a little wobbly and I'm skeptical...
Should I see if she makes it through the night?

I've been washing her vent area quite a bit because it seems like she can't keep it clean, and the other chicks will peck if there's blood.

 

[magpiesing]

Good evening all....
Didn't do the pole barn today...not a problem ...we change plans around here alot...DH and I retired 2 yrs ago and have worked harder than we did when we worked in the world.
We only have 5 acres which with share with his folks.
But trying to catch up on things that have been neglected is a big job. So we cleaned up more junk and got rid of all the bamboo and weeds around our deck. It looked so big when we were done been covered by bamboo for years.
I also got most of my garden in today. Need 12 more tomato plants and some more herbs to grow for the chickens.

Ablackdogranch...
Good looking coop...we also built ours from repurposed wood and we got the wire in exchange for some venison and some yard eggs. It's so good to not waste anything. What kind of chickens are you getting?

Harley...
I love that little coop...so creative...great use of those crates. It's a good feeling to do something on the cheap that is useful an looks great. Harley I think you have OCD! Obcessive Chicken Disorder!!!

Love all the chick pics...glad for everyone who has hatched chicks.
What is this cooler-bator???

DH made friends with the little ones today. They've been afraid of the big old hand so today the big old hand had bread. It took them a few minutes to get up the courage to grab a piece and run, but then it became a shark frenzy. One would grab a big piece and the chase was on. My 2 little marans are the sweetest and friendliest of all they weren't even afraid so they got the best bites because they stayed while the others chased. So much fun.

Gotta go fix a late supper and feed the critters. Was a good day. Magpie

 

[TammyTX]

Ok guys..tough question: When and how do you decide to cull a chick?

My smallest GCM, with a hatch day of Sunday/Monday, is still bleeding a TINY bit from her umbilical site.
Then she has this bulge,,it's a little mushy


Weird picture sorry. It's her vent top left and her umbilical stub near the far right She also keeps peeping incessantly. I've seen quite a few chicks pass...she's a little wobbly and I'm skeptical...
Should I see if she makes it through the night?

I've been washing her vent area quite a bit because it seems like she can't keep it clean, and the other chicks will peck if there's blood.

Are you using a red heat lamp? ...or a red non-heat lamp? That should make it hard for the other chicks to see the blood.

I've never had this happen, so I have no help with how to treat.