Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Chickielady]

Coop question: I am building coop #2 with a run this weekend at some point (between cleaning, gardening, and bunny cage building). How high do you place your roosts for LF? I have a short roost in their current coop, which they haven't used since they gained access to their nesting boxes.

I see some coops with really high roosts and some with lower roosts, which is best?

If you have heavy birds, a high roost can lead to terrific THUDS when they fly down, which in turn can lead to foot injuries, which will lead to Bumblefoot.
Lighter fowl do not have such a hard time this way.
Keep the floor well padded for the landings

 

[Chickielady]

Treat mix the same for cooking rice, 2 cups of water to 1 cup of grains.
I use whole Quinoa and Millet (from the health food store) and brown rice.
Here is a pic of an inverted measuring cup of the cooked mix:






That white dude is a turkle, btw...I love the Quinoa, and it has higher protein than the regular grains.
You can also do the 2 cups of water to 1 cup of grain (and simmer a few mintes then turn off heat) with scratch grains & quinoa, rice mix.
The chicks absolutely LOVE IT !!!!!!!! After they learn what it is.




They were not happy about the flash....but they DO LOVE this treat.

 

[ChickAudie]

Quote:

What is this Graham Hay Market you speak of???

In Central Tacoma, there is NOWHERE to go for feed! Found that out last night, had to drive across the bridge at 7pm!

 

[TacomaFarms]

Quote:

What is this Graham Hay Market you speak of???

In Central Tacoma, there is NOWHERE to go for feed! Found that out last night, had to drive across the bridge at 7pm!
I get all my feed at Xcel feed off of 56th & Washington. it's $13+tax for a 50lb bag. They're open from 8-4 I think (beware: lunch is from 12-12:30).

 

[Hinotori]

What is this Graham Hay Market you speak of???

In Central Tacoma, there is NOWHERE to go for feed! Found that out last night, had to drive across the bridge at 7pm!

Feed store just off Meridian down from the Safeway shopping center where 224th crosses.

https://plus.google.com/109344207960214917613/about?gl=us&hl=en

Can just click on the map to the right to get the full map.

They get LOTS of chicks in all spring, summer, and into the fall.

If you're in Tacoma, the Del's Feed off 7 would be closer to you.

 

[Hinotori]

I get all my feed at Xcel feed off of 56th & Washington. it's $13+tax for a 50lb bag. They're open from 8-4 I think (beware: lunch is from 12-12:30).

That is much closer to her.


Graham Hay Market is only 4 miles from me. And there is another Feed store to the south. Webster Road Farm and Feed.

 

[Stumpfarmer]

Coop question:  I am building coop #2 with a run this weekend at some point (between cleaning, gardening, and bunny cage building).  How high do you place your roosts for LF?  I have a short roost in their current coop, which they haven't used since they gained access to their nesting boxes.


I see some coops with really high roosts and some with lower roosts, which is best?

Mine seem happiest at 3-4 feet, although 2 is accepted if the roof is low..

If I have a 4' or 5' height with a solid roof, then 2-3 feet would be ok right?  How much head room does a chicken on a roost need!?  Are there any chickens that don't roost?  Did I hear that Silkie's don't roost?  I don't have any silkie's but I don't want to limit my chicken-math-ability. 

This may sound like a smart-aleck remark, but it really has to do with hoe tall the chicken is. I had to drop the Hamburg's roost from 3 feet to two-and-a-half feet when I put the rooster in, because the 18 inch clearance wsn't enough to keep him from bumping his head.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote: If I have a 4' or 5' height with a solid roof, then 2-3 feet would be ok right? How much head room does a chicken on a roost need!? Are there any chickens that don't roost? Did I hear that Silkie's don't roost? I don't have any silkie's but I don't want to limit my chicken-math-ability.

This may sound like a smart-aleck remark, but it really has to do with hoe tall the chicken is. I had to drop the Hamburg's roost from 3 feet to two-and-a-half feet when I put the rooster in, because the 18 inch clearance wsn't enough to keep him from bumping his head.

If you have very heavy large fowl, such as large fowl Cochins or Orpingtons, they are prone to bumblefoot with high roosts (as they jump down). It is good to give them a stairstep, such as a platform to jump down to, or a ramp, to lessen the impact if their roosts are going to be high.

Alternatively, you can give them shorter roosts.

 

[RonB]

Coop question: I am building coop #2 with a run this weekend at some point (between cleaning, gardening, and bunny cage building). How high do you place your roosts for LF? I have a short roost in their current coop, which they haven't used since they gained access to their nesting boxes.

I see some coops with really high roosts and some with lower roosts, which is best?

If you have heavy birds, a high roost can lead to terrific THUDS when they fly down, which in turn can lead to foot injuries, which will lead to Bumblefoot.
Lighter fowl do not have such a hard time this way.
Keep the floor well padded for the landings

I agree with CL... if the roosts are too high the bird can get hurt jumping down. in my first coop I made them about 4 1/2 ft high. I'm a little concerned about my older girls jumping down from there. in the 2nd coop they are 3 1/2 ft high. in coops 3 -7 they are 2 1/2 - 3 ft high. I got a little carried away with coops and chickens

just remember one thing. a chicken will try and roost as high as it can in a coop so don't make your nest boxes higher then the roost or any shelves

 

[ChickAudie]

You guys are awesome! Do you know if Xcel is open weekends?