The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[countrygirl74]

Bulldogma - It hardly looks the same! Gorgeous! Please do keep us posted! Thanks. Sue

X2!!

 

[delisha]

Quote: I think it is because we are so used to the LG. We just knew all the tricks and it became second hand with out thinking. I shutter to think of brand new people using it. All the little tiny things I just did because I knew it worked. Like adding rocks, or adding a plug, or placing the plug over the hole but not plugging it, and never touching the controls ever. I figure this one will eventually be the same. It is just learning it. I am pretty much letting it do its thing and not messing with it. My eggs are loosing weight.the perfect amount of weight.to me that is critical and all I need to worry about at this point. I know if an egg does not loose weight in the first 10 days, it is probably not going to thrive even if it goes into lock down. I do not know why, or the how, I just know it happens.

 

[mlowen]

Nice work on the trailer coop, Leigh!!

 

[lalaland]

I have quite a few of them..They are old as dirt. I have no idea if they make them any more. Try checking pigeon feeders and see if you can find any.

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/large-grill-feeder-fount/pigeon-cage-supplies
I found these but they are made with different metal

thank you! I searched before you posted, but was not thinking pigeons. I will look again. I love how the older stuff is so much sturdier and heavier weight. If you ever decide you have too many, let me know .

 

[armorfirelady]

BDM..... I think u went and bought a new trailer coop.......it doesn't look anything like the before pics. AWESOME job!!!!! I can't wait to see the inside when your done. You are very handy & creative

 

[Melabella]

Leigh, this van look ready to haul horses again! lol,,, what does the floor look like? Great job!

MB

 

[Bulldogma]

Thanks, everyone!

Leigh, this van look ready to haul horses again! lol,,, what does the floor look like? Great job!

MB

I wouldn't put horses on the floor, but chickens will be fine... just a little difference in weight - LOL! All the leaking seams for goodness knows how many years caused some rot issues in the floor. The horse area has mostly good floors, thanks to the circa '70's rubber mats (still inside) but the edges, where the seams of the mats were, have some questionable areas. The dressing room has rot issues in the floor... but still OK for humans and chickens by my estimation. And if some of the boards give... well, I'll just put some hardware cloth over it and call it "ventilation."

There is rust on the inside too, but since I have sealed up all the leaks in the roof, I won't have to be quite as picky with those areas. Just sand down a bit and spray with Rustoleum. I'm looking forward to having it done... but I'm trying to be patient because the interior will take some work to get it where I want it. One day at a time!

Oh - and I do have the original aluminum trim which still needs to go up (it is designed to help prevent water from leaking in the side doors. I may try painting it first, or I may get lazy and just put it on as-is and see how it looks. It's "L" shaped like a mini gutter system. I'm thinking about putting Velcro on the underside of them and making little removable awnings to keep excess sun and rain out of the open windows. I'll have to see if I can find some waterproof awning material for a reasonable (extremely cheap) price. Hopefully I'll luck out and find some in dark green and beige stripes or something - LOL. Heat is my main concern as is rain coming in the open windows. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with awnings.

 

[lalaland]

wow bd, thats amazing. looking good!

I did a web search for pigeon cage, etc trying to find delisha's feeder cage, but no dice. the stromberg one would be functional, just not as cool!

 

[lalaland]

ok, a stupid question (yup, sometimes there really is a stupid one, and this is it): red pepper flakes = cayenne, right? (for worms)

 

[Leahs Mom]

BD - what did you pay for that trailer "as-is" and where did you find it? (I'm wondering how to go about finding such an item....looked on cl but right now they're high priced!)