The Old Folks Home

[Beer can]

I got a roll 100'x7' from Home Depot of cheap bird netting. Worked great cut in half and doubled with zipties for a 14x50' run. Stayed up first winter. This winter it came down wet sticky snow. It was a ripped froze mess so I just said a prayer for the birds in that coop till spring.
Have chicken wire on big coop run, that's stayed up for yrs now but too $$. Other coop has a tarp roof but only 10x10'.
Blizzard petered out here also. We got about another foot but no high winds and it changed to freezing drizzle later in the day. Had another four overnight, and more on the way.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Yea the girls old run has chicken wire on the top We have not had
anything to call blizzard even when the Seattle area got hit we didn't didn't
Mossyrock is is in a fairly protected little place probably why they built the
town here

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I best get my butt in gear and get my chores done. Going to the city. I guess.

Hubby's going to a movie with a friend and I'm going to use that time to "try" to find some suitable replacements for the stuff I'm wearing on my bottom half. (Once upon a time they were pants...now rags?) because all my pants are from 1998-99...no, that's not a typo or joke. We took in a young man (16) because his parents kicked him out and I figured at the time I needed appropriate non-hole filled clothes. So I think it's time to get some new pant gear. And maybe a few new t-shirts. Should. Be. Fun. NOT.
I hate clothes shopping!

At least it's just the fam, the sheep, the cattle and chickens who'll see me.

We must be related I find pants that fit I buy 4 pair then wear them out

That's exactly what I do. Find something that fits and is comfortable...and then I buy out all the stock they have in that size. Usually in black. I know the exact years I've purchased clothes because that's how little I shop for clothes.

Quote: It wasn't your point SCG...but we very much recognize the caring and dedication you have for your customers, your job and the people who work with you...and are commenting positively about it because we think it's fantastic!

And very rare. We recognize that you are going above and beyond what many "would" do. It's incredible commendable!

And life's too short not to give you a hard time about the fact we think you're fantastic and amazing and we wish we could all have you in our corner. Just own it woman.

Quote: The ice is a HUGE problem. I was more alluding to the sparkle fest I've got going on...more of a mental barricade for birds than a physical barricade....than suggesting to free range. I'm going along the idea of the holographic and iridescent tape and hanging devices meant to scare off birds, although I'm not sure how effective this is on predatory birds. By the sound of it, you have a really bad issue so I understand the need for a physical barrier.

My hen coop is a single car garage and I have a massive number of birds in there. There isn't space next to where they are to build a completely enclosed run big enough for the birds I have in there...lol. Eventually it's supposed to be turned back into a garage. This coop is only "supposed" to be a temporary thing.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I do hate clothes shopping no doubt bought 4 pairs of pants from LL Bean
online first two fit next two have 2 more inches in the waist I am getting bigger that way
but hold on to others I see if loose it in the summer

 

[Alaskan]

Eventually it's supposed to be turned back into a garage. This coop is only "supposed" to be a temporary thing.

Famous last words!!!!

 

[microchick]

I got my nets up, sorta. At least it will hold the birds in and the Hawks out until I can get some new replacement netting ordered. I imagine it's pretty chuckleatious looking from overhead but the birds aren't complaining. They were just glad to be out in their new improved larger sized enclosure. Until I can get the partition up, I let the extra roosters in with the main flock which made for a few laughs. The roosters for the main flock came out first, saw the extras on their turf and all H-E-double toothpicks broke out. The hens came out, looked around this and said 'Ah, think we'll just go back in till this settles down'.

As for clothes shopping, I am with you girls. I hate it. First off the price does not fit the amount of cloth or the quality of the clothes. I wear military surplus cargo pants in various camo patterns around the farm. Dumping the pockets out every night is entertaining in itself as I pick up nails, pieces of wire, shiny rocks, etc and carry them around with me all day. I never spend more than 19.95 for a pair.

Jeans I buy from Salvation Army Thrift Shops, Good Will or The Crossing Thrift shops. I go for the like new jeans that some lady has either gained or loss (I wish) weight and can't fit into them after one washing. In a lot of instances they are lightly broke in, very comfortable and a great buy at usually no more than 3.50 a pair. I have my office cargo pants that I wore before we retired that I wear for 'special' occasions. Maybe one or two dresses in the closet in the form of skirts and tops and of course my beloved t-shirts in long and short sleeved styles.

I dress cheap. The less I spend on clothes, the more I can spend on my chickens, LOL

 

[Beer can]

@Wickedchicken6 My garage, 24x28, main part is 16x24, the other 12 side is more like a addition. I've seriously thought about making it a coop would be cheaper than building another one.
I have to keep talking myself out of it. I can just see family/friends stopping by, "yo, dude, you've got chickens in your garage, what's wrong with you!?"
Lol! :-D

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Quote: I know.

It was the sensible choice when I had those first 5 chickens. Just until I figured out if we wanted chickens.
That was 140ish chickens ago.

Now I'm trying to commandeer the machine shed, by proper measurement it should hold about 250 chickens. It's 30x40 or 40x50. It's big. It flooded when we had the flood and the cement is heaving and we're being careful about not using it if looks like it might flood. It's also the favorite building of the rats.

Chickens would work great in it!

It could be cleaned with the skid steer and I'd never have to lift a fork full of manure again!

Just think of the possibilities!

DH is afraid I'd fill it with 1000 chickens. He knows me too well!

Darn.

 

[chickisoup]

I got my nets up, sorta. At least it will hold the birds in and the Hawks out until I can get some new replacement netting ordered. I imagine it's pretty chuckleatious looking from overhead but the birds aren't complaining. They were just glad to be out in their new improved larger sized enclosure. Until I can get the partition up, I let the extra roosters in with the main flock which made for a few laughs. The roosters for the main flock came out first, saw the extras on their turf and all H-E-double toothpicks broke out. The hens came out, looked around this and said 'Ah, think we'll just go back in till this settles down'.

As for clothes shopping, I am with you girls. I hate it. First off the price does not fit the amount of cloth or the quality of the clothes. I wear military surplus cargo pants in various camo patterns around the farm. Dumping the pockets out every night is entertaining in itself as I pick up nails, pieces of wire, shiny rocks, etc and carry them around with me all day. I never spend more than 19.95 for a pair.

Jeans I buy from Salvation Army Thrift Shops, Good Will or The Crossing Thrift shops. I go for the like new jeans that some lady has either gained or loss (I wish) weight and can't fit into them after one washing. In a lot of instances they are lightly broke in, very comfortable and a great buy at usually no more than 3.50 a pair. I have my office cargo pants that I wore before we retired that I wear for 'special' occasions. Maybe one or two dresses in the closet in the form of skirts and tops and of course my beloved t-shirts in long and short sleeved styles.

I dress cheap. The less I spend on clothes, the more I can spend on my chickens, LOL

You are definitely a kindred spirit!!! I do not own a dress (unless I still have that denim jumper somewhere). I have two "dressy" slack suits. One for weddings, the other for funerals, with matching trenchcoats (my only omage to proper city attire). The rest of my wardrobe primarily consists of good sturdy garments, most of which were procured in a similar manner as yours. My one area of always new (besides personal garments of course) are shoes and boots. I bargain shop of course but I purchase the highest quality my budget will allow. Found it well worth the investment to both the care of my feet and knees and that they last me for many years. (Finally had to face that I am on my last winter with my favorite work boots after 10+ years). I once upon a time had a full wardrobe of stylish city clothes which I gladly gave away along with all my IBM blue business suits when I had had enough and went running back to the country.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I got my nets up, sorta. At least it will hold the birds in and the Hawks out until I can get some new replacement netting ordered. I imagine it's pretty chuckleatious looking from overhead but the birds aren't complaining. They were just glad to be out in their new improved larger sized enclosure. Until I can get the partition up, I let the extra roosters in with the main flock which made for a few laughs. The roosters for the main flock came out first, saw the extras on their turf and all H-E-double toothpicks broke out. The hens came out, looked around this and said 'Ah, think we'll just go back in till this settles down'.

As for clothes shopping, I am with you girls. I hate it. First off the price does not fit the amount of cloth or the quality of the clothes. I wear military surplus cargo pants in various camo patterns around the farm. Dumping the pockets out every night is entertaining in itself as I pick up nails, pieces of wire, shiny rocks, etc and carry them around with me all day. I never spend more than 19.95 for a pair.

Jeans I buy from Salvation Army Thrift Shops, Good Will or The Crossing Thrift shops. I go for the like new jeans that some lady has either gained or loss (I wish) weight and can't fit into them after one washing. In a lot of instances they are lightly broke in, very comfortable and a great buy at usually no more than 3.50 a pair. I have my office cargo pants that I wore before we retired that I wear for 'special' occasions. Maybe one or two dresses in the closet in the form of skirts and tops and of course my beloved t-shirts in long and short sleeved styles.

I dress cheap. The less I spend on clothes, the more I can spend on my chickens, LOL

Omg...I used to love the bag sales at the Salvation Army, $5 for a black garbage bag full!

I'm still wearing a few of the items I bought the year I got married. Somehow that sounds weird when I say it. So I don't usually mention that...lol. Same here...a penny saved is a penny earned. Except...we don't have pennies in Canada anymore.

@Wickedchicken6 My garage, 24x28, main part is 16x24, the other 12 side is more like a addition. I've seriously thought about making it a coop would be cheaper than building another one.
I have to keep talking myself out of it. I can just see family/friends stopping by, "yo, dude, you've got chickens in your garage, what's wrong with you!?"
Lol! :-D

Oh wow...you could have a lot of chickens in there! That's huge! Mines only a single car garage. Darn.

Yeah...there's that aspect of it for sure. Ours is right beside the road. Where everyone can see it. And my mess. And the crazy chickens running around.
Yep...classy for sure.

But who needs to be classy ALL the time, right?

If you have overhead doors...they're an issue. But nothing that clipping wings can't solve.

It ONLY took me a year to figure that out.

Still not the most ideal spot. We disconnected the overhead door so the chickens couldn't unplug it and lock us out...lol. It has no windows. We built a three compartmented 2X4 wall and inserted it in the opening of the door. Middle section is the door. We used 1/2 hardware cloth in three foot widths to fasten in lengths to this wall. We cover it with plastic in the winter. I have a row of venting along the top. It works ok because its such as old building before the roof was tinned that there's a lot of daylight showing along the top. Air gets sucked in from the front length of vents and from up the tin ribs and it vents out the top...lol. Kudos to old holey buildings.

My roosts are 3 inch fence posts nailed to 6' 2X4s and they just set on the wall at a 45, not fastened, and the nest boxes are pig feeders held with 2 screws. An hour to dismantle plus cleaning time for the shavings and it's back to being a garage...lol.