The Front Porch Swing

[Blooie]

Priceless, Blooie!

Thank you....

Admit it, you sang it, didn't you?

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Quote: Hi lovingmyhens! I know it is ready when it is dark brown to black and crumbly, smells of earth and leaves...and an earthworm here and there. It is black gold!! I just pull off the wire cage.......break down the outside ring of un-composted material (save it to start the new compost pile), and apply where needed!! The inside should be nice and drak and rich. Earthy smelling. I love composting!!

 

[RachaelS]

Quote:
Nope

I don't have to do that with these guys. They are not really game birds.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

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[Ms Jellybean]

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[lindz8504]

Quote:
Would you have rather me said You'uns?
LOL.... I think it is a purely Southern thing!

Good Morning!!!!!

 

[lovingmyhens]

Hi lovingmyhens! I know it is ready when it is dark brown to black and crumbly, smells of earth and leaves...and an earthworm here and there. It is black gold!! I just pull off the wire cage.......break down the outside ring of un-composted material (save it to start the new compost pile), and apply where needed!! The inside should be nice and drak and rich. Earthy smelling. I love composting!!

Thanks! I can't wait to start! My kids think I have lost my mind...they thought that when I got my chickens last Oct. Now, they are wondering when I am going to don my overalls and walk around with the pitchfork. Farmer Jones they call me!

 

[Blooie]

I need some advise on my coop I am going to build. You ladies have more sense here than other places so I am asking here.

I live in Texas and the summers are HOT! Lots of ventilation needed so I am changing up the design some to add more than the builder (MisterChicken on here) has.

Here is one of his photos of his Blue Grass Coop.

I am putting in larger windows on the east and west sides of mine. East on mine is where his nest box is. I want to put the nest box on the north side of mine (unless it is bad to do so) and have a large vent, or a few smaller vents above it. I will close these in the winter. I also want a larger window (door really) on the south side. Since I am doing DL I thought rather than making the roost/nesting area closed up like he has it I would not put a bottom on it so the poop goes straight to the ground. I would still do the wall like he has it though and have a door to get in for cleaning. Instead of a pop door they could walk under and I would have a ladder type perch. The whole coop/run is enclosed with hardware cloth so it should be predator proof, and I have a chain link fence around my yard to keep most things out. It's only 4' tall so if something really wants in they can get in. I am also fencing in a large run area around the coop/run for the chickens to hang out in when I can't be out to watch them. I'm using deer cloth (7' tall) and I will run rabbit wire or similar around the bottom to keep it more secure. I am also covering the top to keep the hawks out.

Is this a good plan or should I build it like it is? My roof is going to be a darker colour so I don't have a greenhouse effect going on. I think everything else will be the same except I want mine 6'x12' instead of 5'x10'.

I can't say too much about the coop construction ideas themselves - you're a better judge of that than I am because you're the one who will be doing the chores 'n stuff. But since you are in Texas, I would have one suggestion. On the roof, I don't think I'd go with a darker color. Dark colors absorb heat, light reflects it. Think black car in the parking lot vs white car. Since your temperatures are pretty doggone warm down in Texas, I would think that going with a reflective roof finishing would make more sense. And I'm having trouble understanding how you will utilize the deep litter if the bottom of the coop is open so the poop falls to the ground below, or maybe I just read that wrong.

 

[Blooie]

Good morning, Miss Lindz!!

 

[LindaB220]

I need some advise on my coop I am going to build. You ladies have more sense here than other places so I am asking here.

I live in Texas and the summers are HOT! Lots of ventilation needed so I am changing up the design some to add more than the builder (MisterChicken on here) has.

Here is one of his photos of his Blue Grass Coop.

I am putting in larger windows on the east and west sides of mine. East on mine is where his nest box is. I want to put the nest box on the north side of mine (unless it is bad to do so) and have a large vent, or a few smaller vents above it. I will close these in the winter. I also want a larger window (door really) on the south side. Since I am doing DL I thought rather than making the roost/nesting area closed up like he has it I would not put a bottom on it so the poop goes straight to the ground. I would still do the wall like he has it though and have a door to get in for cleaning. Instead of a pop door they could walk under and I would have a ladder type perch. The whole coop/run is enclosed with hardware cloth so it should be predator proof, and I have a chain link fence around my yard to keep most things out. It's only 4' tall so if something really wants in they can get in. I am also fencing in a large run area around the coop/run for the chickens to hang out in when I can't be out to watch them. I'm using deer cloth (7' tall) and I will run rabbit wire or similar around the bottom to keep it more secure. I am also covering the top to keep the hawks out.

Is this a good plan or should I build it like it is? My roof is going to be a darker colour so I don't have a greenhouse effect going on. I think everything else will be the same except I want mine 6'x12' instead of 5'x10'.

In the Shreveport heat, the perfect one for me is to have one room enclosed by hardware 8' x 12' or even 16' covered by tin. Part of the back would be wood so I could have nest boxes. No inside house, just open air. In winter cover 3 sides with clear shower curtains. East side open. No idea when I can build this. Right now just going to make do with an 8' x 12' dog kennel that's predator proof. Youtube has one that's perfect. Even has a misting pipe.