Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[Iain Utah]

QJ, at $125 per bird and 6 african eggs on their way.... not so much. They do look gorgeous, though.

 

[Iain Utah]

Here is the coop that came with the property. I assume the raised bars on right side at entry are for chickens to roost. Are they needed for ducks? What is the ramp for? How would you guys set this up for ducks??

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Wow! That's cool! That part that is like a little cubby, I'd fence that in and keep my babies in there away from the adults. How big is the whole thing?

Here is the coop that came with the property. I assume the raised bars on right side at entry are for chickens to roost. Are they needed for ducks? What is the ramp for? How would you guys set this up for ducks??

And then could you put in some glass windows on the other side there? It's hard to see what's there, but it look like holes right now.

 

[JulieNKC]

Here is the coop that came with the property. I assume the raised bars on right side at entry are for chickens to roost. Are they needed for ducks? What is the ramp for? How would you guys set this up for ducks??

I'd take the ramp out and put roosting bars across for chickens. Ducks won't roost, just add bedding and some covered litterboxes or something like that for nestboxes for ducks. Looks big, you can fit lot's of ducks in there.

 

[Iain Utah]

Thanks! I will measure it when I go out to feed in a little bit, but I think it is about 10x16. Tallest point is probably 7ft high. The three openings on left are windows covered with chicken wire. It has a shudder on the inside that opens upward (see the wood above the holes?) to latch it shut. The hole on the bottom left looks to be a door. We plan to fence in an area outside so we do not feel too guilty if they have to stay locked up for more than just at night.

Nest boxes? What size? Also, what type of bedding. We were thinking horse stall shavings?

 

[JulieNKC]

Thanks! I will measure it when I go out to feed in a little bit, but I think it is about 10x16. Tallest point is probably 7ft high. The three openings on left are windows covered with chicken wire. It has a shudder on the inside that opens upward (see the wood above the holes?) to latch it shut. The hole on the bottom left looks to be a door. We plan to fence in an area outside so we do not feel too guilty if they have to stay locked up for more than just at night.

Nest boxes? What size? Also, what type of bedding. We were thinking horse stall shavings?

I don't know exactly what size they are, but my ducks have always layed in my cat covered litterbox I have for them and the chickens to lay in on the coop floor. They've been pretty good about using them, and it's a lot easier than an egg hunt every morning when they use them. Shavings would work. I use leaves my friends and neighbors mulch and bag for me, rake grass clippings in the summer, straw, hay, shavings, whatever I have.
If you fence off a secure run for them, I'd keep the water out there and the food inside. It'll help teach them to come inside to eat, so they'll come in on their own when you let them free range. The water outside will help cut down mess and wet bedding.

 

[JulieNKC]

I hate it when they do that!

Me too! Just let me sleep! Hubby always does that or talks on the phone real loud sitting right next to me. Take your clothes and your phone, go to the bathroom, shut the door, and be your loud bright self in there.

 

[stillmecle]

Iain my horse is a loud overo. I love the chrome on a horse, even though it is hard to keep clean. He has one blue eye and the other that is blue/brown. With his white face and no skin pigment or color around the eye, he kept getting sunburned around his right eye. So we took him to the vet and he put him down for surgery and my friend came in and put an eyeliner tattoo around the eye. Costs alot but it has saved alot of probems with infections. And it looks natural. Here he is posing for the camera, He loves his picture taken.

 

[QuackerJackFarms]

Who can recommend a good candler. Like a real one. I'm getting discouraged with my situation.

 

[Iain Utah]

Stunning horse! What a great idea about dealing with the pink skin issues.