The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

On the feet... if you would wait until after dark when they are in the coop and roosting you can easily pick each one up and examine their feet and legs. It's even better if you have someone else to do the holding while you look, but you can do it by yourself.

If you can, take a photo of the legs, the top of the feet and the bottom of the feet and show us what you find!

 

[countrygirl74]

I just have a pretty secure run and don't have a door on my coop at all. They come in and out as they please. In the summer I just leave all the little "hatches" open - it's almost like roosting outside - no hardware cloth or anything over the vents. The bottom of the run is 3 feet high of hardware cloth and the rest is chicken wire. But, I don't have all the varmints a lot of you have. The only thing I really have to watch out for is coyotes, hawks, and skunks. Our yard is fenced in half and during the day when we are home, the dogs stay on one side (mostly just to keep them from pooping everywhere), but at night, I open the middle gate and our dogs roam the entire yard keeping any other critters out. Our dogs would eat the chickens if they got the chance but they don't actively try to get into the run and they don't dig. Most of the time they ignore the chickens and ducks. However, they will kill anything that comes into our yard so they are my night patrolers just in case we get something that tries really hard to get into the run.

 

[aaggjg]

I got my chicken door from: http://www.chickendoors.com/

They had the battery, solar panel, & electronic eye here as well. I bought it as a set

X2

 

[armorfirelady]

On the feet... if you would wait until after dark when they are in the coop and roosting you can easily pick each one up and examine their feet and legs. It's even better if you have someone else to do the holding while you look, but you can do it by yourself.

If you can, take a photo of the legs, the top of the feet and the bottom of the feet and show us what you find!

It is def easier with another person but I have done it alone as well. Bring a few baby wipes or wet paper towels to wipe their feet off (I know my guys have muddy feet this time of year) I know what I thought was a possible problem spot turned out to be a pieces of extra sticky mud lol That way you get a clean view.

I also started keeping a notebook log for when I check them. About once a month. That way you have a base line of what they looked like when you got them. Since all 4 of my hens are identical for the most part they each sport a different colored zip tie on their leg. Its very very loose so if they grew it wouldn't get tight and I check it often.

If this is your first time inspecting you hens you might as well do a head to tail inspection. That way you can check for lice, nits, any injuries, vent issues etc. if they have any.

 

[aaggjg]

Made me think of this photo:

OMG!!! And I thought a coyote in my fenced in backyard was bad!!! If I found that .....

 

[Leahs Mom]

On the pullet shut - I looked at theirs too when I was deciding what to purchase.

I didn't like the outward swinging door for several reasons. I was thinking that it might be one of those things that they'd want to roost on and possibly end up messing up the hinges. I also thought that it might be easier for a predator to grab the edge and pull it open by force. Raccoons (and bears!) are great at grabbing and pulling things.

Now...I've never owned one so those were just my "speculations" when I was looking at how they worked. I was really concerned about the "grabbing" thing as I thought that would be less likely with one that comes down from above and has edges that are completely enclosed in the runners.

I'll be looking forward to hearing reviews on the hinged door from y'all that have that type!

 

[armorfirelady]

My door opens into the coop......which at first I thought was weird since the hens would be standing in front of the door and would have to move for the door to open. I never thought about them roosting on it though

Hmmm well they haven't roosted on it yet so maybe they wont lol

I am wondering once the DL gets higher how I am going to keep it away so it doesnt block the door. Might have to raise the door higher or build something around it to keep the litter out.

I watched your video of your door Leah and the only downfall of that is trying to incorporate it into the hoop coop. That's a big area for me to cut out the cattle panel to put that in since I think i would have to cut the panels to ensure it didn't get stuck on the panels. That would make that end less stable I think strength wise.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Never thought about the hoop coop! I wonder if you should turn the door the other way so it opens out? It does seem that it will get caught on litter and stuff since they are always kicking things around.

It also seems like if a predator was pushing on it from the outside it would be easier to break in ft the door swings in rather than out.

 

[armorfirelady]

Never thought about the hoop coop! I wonder if you should turn the door the other way so it opens out? It does seem that it will get caught on litter and stuff since they are always kicking things around.

It also seems like if a predator was pushing on it from the outside it would be easier to break in ft the door swings in rather than out.

Im hoping the electric netting will prevent any predators from entering their run area.

I probably put the door on the wrong side lol It could easily be switched to the outside. I think I will see how it goes for now. If the litter becomes a problem I will just put it on the outside.....thankfully all I will need to move the door since where I positioned the battery is at the top of the opening

 

[CoopChick719]

I'm posting from work, don't tell! She stayed all night and was still there when I left at 7:30. If she's off when I get home I will be figuring out a way to trap her there

If anyone nearby is looking for a Burmese x Lab, we are looking for a home for a stray that wandered out way. No one has reported him missing to any of the organizations or answered any of our ads. It's been months. Not neutered, probably never seen a vet, under a year old and totally untrained.

We are in love with him but I work full time and DH works on the mainland so it's just not fair to him when we have no time to train him. I don't think he's been abused, just neglected and dumped. Acts like a puppy. Very sweet but large and often out of control with energy. If we diddn't already have way too many pets...I will never understand how someone can just leave a dog in the woods like that.

I just don't get that either Shan30!! What type of person does that??!

If you do that, I'm coming to Canada for a visit and ride!

Me too!!

I tried the food color thing last night.....thought I got it in the right opening...vent. Well, I guess not. Got 2 eggs today, not one color on them. So, I guess I need more information. Oh, I probably have rainbow colored poops out in the run though...

Rainbow poops--Reminds me when the dog ate a box of crayons!

I just opened the shed that the hens live in, flipped out the folding ramp so I could get in, and accidentally killed my little splash ameracauna hen Gigi. I didn't even see her. I was too busy dealing with the rooster who was posturing, and distracted. I'm taking of the ramp first thing tomorrow morning. That won't bring her back. She was a hundred pounds of personality in a tiny little body.

I can't even describe how aweful I feel.

BlueMouse,

I'm posting from work w/tears in my eyes. I am so very sorry for your loss!! It was an accident. It's never easy losing a furry or feathered friend. Hugs to you