Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[babylady4]

Dog TV….. rabbits…

 

[jvls1942]

I got my rain collection system finished.
Last night it got a good test, with the thunderstorm
when the collection barrel gets full to the white tube,
the water automatically transfers into the other barrel.

close up of tube into the other barrel.
there are a series of holes on the underside of the tube.

both barrels have spigots at the bottom for garden hose hookup.
the left barrel has an overflow hose on it.
I am planning on adding a third barrel to the right of the
collection barrel.
that elbow with the riser prevents water from flowing out
that end of the tube. when the riser is pointing down, then
water can run out that way, too.

 

[Badger Farm]

Finally, here are photos of the Armada los Pollos. We purchased the coop/run plan from Third Coast Craftsman, and modified it a bit,

We liked the coop and run design, but weren’t too crazy about the coop doors looking like a barn. Also decided against the two coop windows over the nesting boxes/storage area. We were able to save money on lumber by using wood and
tongue and groove pieces we had from building the house over 20 years ago. Total lumber was around $400 for the base posts, and 2x4’s.

The coop door swings to the left, and is easy to clear out. Painted the interior with a semi gloss white paint from Menards. Exterior pieces are stained in Armada Blue - our goal was to show the striations in the lumber.

Living in NW Wisconsin. our weather varies from incredibly snowy and cold in the winter, to hot and humid in the summer months. Add in the late May mosquito hatch, followed by the July Mayfly/Flies in general hatch, and it’s a bit of a challenge to insure the girls are going to be comfortable. The coop itself faces south, and has three ventilation windows. The run faces north, and is protected on all sides by forest, plus has cross breezes to keep them happy. In place of corrugated metal
roofing, we opted for fiberglass corrugated roofing throughout. This allows for muted sunlight during the summer, and as much sunlight as possible during the winter months.

The coop door is from Run-Chicken, model T50. Easy install, and the dawn-to-dusk opening/closing schedule was a breeze to set. It also has an app for both Apple and Google phones. Can’t recommend this door enough!

Hardware cloth throughout, plus we ran it 2’ around the entire coop/run, covered with gravel. The run is sand, and I clean and rake it, plus barn lime it every other day.

All in all, this was a three-week build, done by Bruce for the most part. He came up with the roofing/stain ideas, and they’re perfect for this project.

Now we’re waiting for the girls to deliver!

 

[jvls1942]

Bruce, you did a lot of thinking for your coop.
I hope the chicks appreciate it.

 

[EagleEyes]

Your project turned out GREAT!
That's interesting that you used the nesting boxes for supplies. How/where will you get at the nesting boxes/eggs?
Do you have plans to protect the run from the winter snow/wind?

 

[Badger Farm]

Your project turned out GREAT!
That's interesting that you used the nesting boxes for supplies. How/where will you get at the nesting boxes/eggs?
Do you have plans to protect the run from the winter snow/wind?

Thank you!!

The drop down door allows access to two nesting boxes. I have them block off for now. For winter, we’ll install plastic sheeting around the hardware cloth.

 

[EagleEyes]

This is what I bought last year, and I stapled it up and used slats to hold it in place. I took it down after the winter weather and will use it again this winter. It worked out very well.
You pick the size that will work out for you.
As far as CLEAR? It's sort of clear
https://farmplasticsupply.com/4-year-10-mil-string-reinforced-greenhouse-plastic?search=clear

 

[TOR]

Finally, here are photos of the Armada los Pollos. We purchased the coop/run plan from Third Coast Craftsman, and modified it a bit,

We liked the coop and run design, but weren’t too crazy about the coop doors looking like a barn. Also decided against the two coop windows over the nesting boxes/storage area. We were able to save money on lumber by using wood and
tongue and groove pieces we had from building the house over 20 years ago. Total lumber was around $400 for the base posts, and 2x4’s.

The coop door swings to the left, and is easy to clear out. Painted the interior with a semi gloss white paint from Menards. Exterior pieces are stained in Armada Blue - our goal was to show the striations in the lumber.

Living in NW Wisconsin. our weather varies from incredibly snowy and cold in the winter, to hot and humid in the summer months. Add in the late May mosquito hatch, followed by the July Mayfly/Flies in general hatch, and it’s a bit of a challenge to insure the girls are going to be comfortable. The coop itself faces south, and has three ventilation windows. The run faces north, and is protected on all sides by forest, plus has cross breezes to keep them happy. In place of corrugated metal
roofing, we opted for fiberglass corrugated roofing throughout. This allows for muted sunlight during the summer, and as much sunlight as possible during the winter months.

The coop door is from Run-Chicken, model T50. Easy install, and the dawn-to-dusk opening/closing schedule was a breeze to set. It also has an app for both Apple and Google phones. Can’t recommend this door enough!

Hardware cloth throughout, plus we ran it 2’ around the entire coop/run, covered with gravel. The run is sand, and I clean and rake it, plus barn lime it every other day.

All in all, this was a three-week build, done by Bruce for the most part. He came up with the roofing/stain ideas, and they’re perfect for this project.

Now we’re waiting for the girls to deliver!View attachment 3583211View attachment 3583212View attachment 3583213View attachment 3583214View attachment 3583215View attachment 3583217View attachment 3583218

Very nice

 

[EagleEyes]

Just added 5 more from the same group that mine came from a year ago.
Lots of trash talk going on out there today.
I put my backyard fence back up again so everyone has more room to adjust.
Got rid/butchered Henry a month ago. Too mean to the hens.
So now, 12 hens.
Now they can go through the who's in charge again.

 

[Badger Farm]

Just added 5 more from the same group that mine came from a year ago.
Lots of trash talk going on out there today.
I put my backyard fence back up again so everyone has more room to adjust.
Got rid/butchered Henry a month ago. Too mean to the hens.
So now, 12 hens.
Now they can go through the who's in charge again.

I know I shouldn’t laugh, but after reading about Henry’s demise, coupled with your girls going through “ who’s the boss“ again, made me laugh. Thank you. I really needed that.