The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[ChickChickChicky]

Yes, LM. I have a hoop coop now. It's actually a very nice one (8 x 12). A bit of pride here... I put a loft in the back half (4 x 8), with styrofoam insulation covered with corrugated plastic roofing on the outside, and fiberglass panel on the inside... the stuff they use in milking rooms (I think). 1/2" hdw. cloth skirt and over all except for the loft. End panels of the loft are also plywood styrofoam sandwich. Outside nest boxes, 2 roosts. But my flock of 17 will definitely not do well there this winter.

So, the plans are in the works for an 10 x 12 stick built. I scavenged some beautiful Anderson and Pella thermopane windows and door from the dump. It will have metal roof, T-1-11 siding, 2'h x 4'w clean out door at one end, outside access nest boxes, small outside access storage closet for feed and supplies. hoping to figure out the automatic pop door on a timer using a car radio antenna and motor. Also planning to have a broody cage/jail above the nest boxes. Very basic electric access.

Yes, I agree that snow is an excellent insulator. But, with so much of it, by the time I got it moved off the top, it was 4' deep at the sides, (and when the next storm came around, I wouldn't be able to get close enough to get the snow off it!) All that snow against the sides didn't allow any light into the interior of the sun room... so if I wanted them to get that solar gain, it meant shoveling... Yet an other reason for wanting to build a bigger and sturdier coop. BTW: I didn't have a single frozen egg last winter! In spite of temps to -20 for days on end.

Just a warning... T-111 siding is like candy to porcupines and other gnawing animals (like deer). When we had it on our Montana cabin the critters ate huge holes in the siding all the time... until we put Hardiboard siding over it. We were told by the guy at the lumberyard that it's the resins they use to make the T-111 that make it so yummy.

 

[armorfirelady]

For reaching the top of the hoop coop to remove snow from top I have hay bales around the outside for wind blocks/insulation. It also makes a great step stool so I can stand on them. I'm only 5'2 and dragging a ladder out during the winter won't happen.

@aoxa if you pop in what's your thoughts on little grey?

They are about 13 weeks old and starting their juvie molt. All the feathers are rounded now from head to tail. The red comb makes me think roo but no attempts at crowing yet.
Sally8 said all hers that came out grey are all Roos but I'm hoping she is like Miss Edie and just has redder comb/wattles at a younger age.

 

[lazy gardener]

We had up to 18 - 24" at a time, I also had hay bales around the coop. I often went out several times during the heavy storms and brushed the snow down. If I got some holes opened up in the snow over the hoop, the sun would warm things up a bit so the underside of the snow would turn into a glaze of ice, then, I could go inside and a couple of heavy thumps with the broom would break up the ice/snow pack. But, why are we talking about such a nasty subject now???

 

[Leahs Mom]

We had up to 18 - 24" at a time, I also had hay bales around the coop. I often went out several times during the heavy storms and brushed the snow down. If I got some holes opened up in the snow over the hoop, the sun would warm things up a bit so the underside of the snow would turn into a glaze of ice, then, I could go inside and a couple of heavy thumps with the broom would break up the ice/snow pack. But, why are we talking about such a nasty subject now???

Because we're winter preppers

But seriously, since I'm getting ready for the winter I was just scoping out the info before I put time and effort into something that will produce the same problems I'm trying to avoid.

I really don't want to have to knock snow off the top of anything. I don't want to shovel anything. I just want to have a large enough, covered area that the kiddos can be in during the winter that I don't have to constantly maintain and gives them enough space that they aren't squabbling constantly.

The idea of looking for more cheap kennel panels and cleaning out a 10x30 area for them to use in the pole barn is looking better every moment.

Just need to find 3 gate panels and 7 regular panels to accomplish what I want to do. It will be totally movable to a different configuration later if desired and nothing has to be built.

So far I have either been given the kennel panels we have or purchased them used for a great price. I'm keeping my eyes open.

 

[lazy gardener]

That is your best option. I don't know how much snow you get, but if you don't want to do any snow clearing, using the existing pole barn is the way to go. Believe me, if i had a pole barn available, that's what I'd be using. Perhaps, putting up a temporary fence outside of it so they can use that area as well right up until it gets buried in snow, and immediately when the snow cover recedes but the ground is still frozen.

 

[campingshaws]

Hi all, new to chickens and VERY new to natural chicken keeping...

My birds have mites already. I was preparing to do a Big Coop Deep Clean with a solution recipe I found online (orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla, vinegar) and I just happened to grab a girl who wandered by, and she had creepy crawlies on her tail feathers. Most looked like dander, but a few were longer (think termites, but not termite sized).

I searched this thread but really only found preventatives, and also my reading comprehension goes kaput when I panic.

Help please?

 

[Lacy Blues]

Can anyone accurately identify this raptor. It had a chicken dinner yesterday and is back for more...

Cooper's Hawk

Yes, LM. I have a hoop coop now. It's actually a very nice one (8 x 12). A bit of pride here... I put a loft in the back half (4 x 8), with styrofoam insulation covered with corrugated plastic roofing on the outside, and fiberglass panel on the inside... the stuff they use in milking rooms (I think). 1/2" hdw. cloth skirt and over all except for the loft. End panels of the loft are also plywood styrofoam sandwich. Outside nest boxes, 2 roosts. But my flock of 17 will definitely not do well there this winter.

I would really like to see a picture of your loft attached to your hoop coop. I have a hoop coop that I don't intend to use for winter use but if I need it, I would love some ideas on how to make give it a warmer place for sleeping arrangements.

 

[Lacy Blues]

Hi all, new to chickens and VERY new to natural chicken keeping...

My birds have mites already. I was preparing to do a Big Coop Deep Clean with a solution recipe I found online (orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla, vinegar) and I just happened to grab a girl who wandered by, and she had creepy crawlies on her tail feathers. Most looked like dander, but a few were longer (think termites, but not termite sized).

I searched this thread but really only found preventatives, and also my reading comprehension goes kaput when I panic.

Help please?

Could your orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla and vinegar concoction be used on the birds? The vinegar might be the only thing that would bother them. Perhaps you can put these ingredients into a dust bath?

 

[campingshaws]

Could your orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla and vinegar concoction be used on the birds?  The vinegar might be the only thing that would bother them.  Perhaps you can put these ingredients into a dust bath?

Thanks, Lacy. I have no idea. It's orange peel, vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks soaked (marinated) in vinegar. Two weeks ago I would've bought something from the feed store to dust them with, but I'm trying to do better.

I've read a lot about wood ash but didn't know if that was like a thing to buy or just the stuff from the fire pit. I have been giving them garlic in their breakfast scratch, but it's hard to tell if they're eating it or justing picking out the parts they like.

I've even though about washing them in dawn dish soap because I've heard that kills fleas but is still gentle?

 

[CherMoz]

Thank you Lacy Blues. I believe you are correct that it is a Cooper's Hawk.