The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[kynewbchickie]

Thanks for a great thread, all!

 

[OohLaLa]

Thank you all for your compassion

It seems that when the bears were on the attack the girls ran for the usual cover of wild rose bushes. Of course the bears simply used the bushes to trap and crush them. Poor things must have been terrified. They got my two favorites too the big jerks.

I actually don't eat bear, just don't like the taste. My husband will be eating this one though. He was bigger than he looked at 275lbs. Not huge for the island black bears but not tiny.

The chickens are locked in the coop for the day.

I have always walked the woods around here alone with the dogs and have never been afraid.
Now I'm jumping at small noises just to get to my car. These guys ruined my haven.

So sorry for not only the loss of your chickens but also the loss of your peace of mind and freedom. It sounds like these learned at an early age about your place. Hopefully once you get the other things will get better. Always keep protection and and eye out while your about your chores.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Red ridge- your chicks are beautiful
All babe- dried grass clippings, leaves. Pine needles.......whatever I find for free, is what I use for nesting boxes. I also put wood ash in them

Del & stony- I agree with your statements. I valu that you share your knowledge with us newvbies. Even when you don't agree with something I do I know its your opinion. And yes we all have to do what is best for out birds

With the help of my very tall best friend I put a roof vent (salvaged from when they replaced my house roof yesterday, on the hoop coop

Here is looking at it from the outside. We just attached it with zip ties

And here is looking up at it from inside the coop. When I cut e tape out from the inside I could instantly feel the cool air and it felt like the temp in the coop dropped
I'm just hoping the rain doesn't get in.......since its raining now I guess I will find out

Please keep us updated as to how it works with the leaking issue!

 

[aoxa]

Windows and roof up!!

 

[armorfirelady]

Please keep us updated as to how it works with the leaking issue!

Well the new big vents did not leak........
but the side vents I originally put up leaked again and it wasn't even raining that hard

so I am going to block those side vents for good (I was really hoping they would work out) and add a 2nd top vent to the coop. With the sides open all along the bottom of the coop it lets the breezes in & it should push the warm air right out the top vents.

And I think I will put that gorilla duct tape around the edges of the new vents to insure no water gets in. That tape is holding up wonderfully on the edges even with the rain & hot sun.


Aoxa- the new barn looks wonderful & it seems that its coming together fast !!

 

[lalaland]

Justine,
wow! that looks fabulous.

the sort of sunken area - you'll have a dirt floor in that part?
love all the windows
very exciting!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Windows and roof up!!

MORE THAN EXCITING!

Now I need to head over to the rebuild thread and catch up. I think I've missed a lot of photos.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Thank you. I am keeping all these things filed away in my memory for future reference!

 

[aoxa]

Justine,
wow! that looks fabulous.

the sort of sunken area - you'll have a dirt floor in that part?
love all the windows
very exciting!

Yes we are going to put dirt in those areas. I didn't want concrete because I knew it doesn't work well with DL. The only part with concrete are the human places, and there will be two large breeding pens on the concrete as well, but that's okay.

See the 4 windows in the first picture? Each one will be a breeding pen (4x4) to keep breeding trios or quads in. I will have runs out the back and pop doors under the windows

 

[lalaland]

Yes we are going to put dirt in those areas. I didn't want concrete because I knew it doesn't work well with DL. The only part with concrete are the human places, and there will be two large breeding pens on the concrete as well, but that's okay.

See the 4 windows in the first picture? Each one will be a breeding pen (4x4) to keep breeding trios or quads in. I will have runs out the back and pop doors under the windows

it is going to be absolutely amazing! how great to be able to plan it exactly the way you want versus making whatever you have work. I know it came out of tragedy, but I am happy for you and Susan that you are having this wonderful barn.