Washingtonians

[pettec63]

Quote:
OMG!! how cute!!

 

[Zgoatlady]

k thanks guys for your help. I am trying to figure out if I want one BIG coop divided into pens or if I want a few smaller coops. Ideally I want about 25 - 30 hens. With maybe 3 or 4 Roos. I do want a few different breeds as well. So many choices... UGH

If you could do a huge coop and divide it into smaller coops with nice long runs that would be good for you. Id like one

 

[KMoran]

If you could do a huge coop and divide it into smaller coops with nice long runs that would be good for you. Id like one

I think that's what we are gonna go with. For me I think it will be easier if they are all together in one large area rather then a bunch of little ones for feeding and cleaning anyway. With my kids being younger I can have them all in one BIG coop with me maybe each in their own pen cleaning or helping but still close enough where I am able to keep an eye on them. How are you goats doing?

 

[Zgoatlady]

Thanks.

OK so I guess I kinda have a dumb question. Wouldnt it be easier to have one big coop and divide it into smaller pens ( kinda like stables) within the one larger coop? Each one of the pens having a separate run outside. This way you can house one breed or use for a brooding pen or a breeding pen. And so if you want specific ones to breed you move those hens in with that roo and let those hens go broody or remove just those eggs from that pen into the incubator? Sorry I ask so many questions. You guys are so much more helpful then books

Yes that is what Id do if I could. Than have one more coop/barn to hatch in and keep the chicks in until shots and all.

 

[Ogress]

Another day where this parenting/job thing just did not work out. I feel terrible about this.

I have to work this week, and my kids do not have school. I was able to enroll DD in the day-camp at the community center, but Alex is too old. They don't have day-camps for teenagers. I enrolled him in Basketball Skills, but that is only from 9-12, and is down in Fall City. I picked him up after camp, took him to lunch and then had him walk a few blocks to the library while I worked another 4 hours. The Library was closed, and I did not know it until a few minutes before I picked him up when I mentioned I was going to go get him and someone told me it is closed for Presidents Day! I don't know why he did not walk the few blocks back to my office. He stayed out there in the cold and the rain, though he did stay under the porch so he was fairly dry. Thankfully I had him change out of the basketball clothes he was in, but he was only wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of jeans. No jacket. We had snow this morning and it only got to be about 40 today. Amazingly, he was in a good mood! I asked if he wished he had brought his cell phone or a Gameboy, and he replied that he was too cold to use them. He said the only thing he could think of were ways to stay warm. He kept walking circles around the library! Poor kid. I asked him why he did not walk to my office, and he replied that I told him to stay there until I came to get him. Poor kid. Why does he have to take everything so literally?

 

[Zgoatlady]

I like that idea, but Id put the meat chickens on one end, hear they can be pretty stinky when they get big.. Just my thought

Thanks Guys

. This is what I am thinking.... Tell me your thoughts. I found this plan and I like the idea of having them all in one area. ( I might make the stalls (aka pens) 8x8 but not sure yet. But here is how I see it.... First Stall = Laying hens, Next Stall = Meat birds, Next Stall = Breeding Pen one with Rooster and a few girls, Next Pen = Another Breeding Pen ( different breed maybe) , Next Stall = Brooding Pen for Mama's and babies or for new baby chicks.... Others = room to grow. Each one with a run.

 

[Zgoatlady]

Ok now for a hen update! I thought she was egg bound, so I read about checking for one, used the lube ect, soaked her in warm water,
when I did the vent probe this water white substance came out!! It was like egg white!!! I dried her off with a towel and put her in the crate with a space heater situated outside the crate, but she seems even more lethargic and I did not feel an egg!! I have never had a sick chicken!! I have no idea why she's sick?? No one else is....yet?? I'm so bummed!! I don't know how to fix her!

I'm so sorry, could she have eaten something bad? Did you post it in the emergency area? I would maybe they can help you .

 

[Zgoatlady]

don't forget the free online source for old books! http://www.Archive.org is a great source for poultry, canning, barns, building, carpentry, well everything!
It is not intuitive in searching so try many different words for the same thing one at a time in search.
example: chicken, poultry, birds, etc...

Just took a look so you can download them? Cool

 

[Zgoatlady]

I think that's what we are gonna go with. For me I think it will be easier if they are all together in one large area rather then a bunch of little ones for feeding and cleaning anyway. With my kids being younger I can have them all in one BIG coop with me maybe each in their own pen cleaning or helping but still close enough where I am able to keep an eye on them. How are you goats doing?

So far so good. Hate to say that, thats when things start to happen..

 

[KMoran]

I like that idea, but Id put the meat chickens on one end, hear they can be pretty stinky when they get big.. Just my thought

I agree... I am not sure which pen would be which but the meat birds will be in the corner for sure.... near the door. My cornish's are 4 weeks tomorrow and let me tell you they STINK!

I just moved them outside in the shed yesterday because the smell from the master bath into rest of the house was so bad. Even with windows open and doors closed. Was almost enough to make you sick. even tho I would clean it nightly. I kept my 9 barred rocks in the bathroom and can not smell a thing... other then the natures bedding. Even my hen house doesnt smell near as bad as that and I only clean the coop once a week.