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TechGuy 03-22-2009 10:51 PM
Chicken Coop on the way
 
3 Attachment(s)
Finally got started on the chicken coop. 8x12 should give them a good home. Hopefully will get the rest of the coup complete this by next monday. Then I can start on the fence.

Ordering chickens tomorrow.

Posted a few pics of progress below, will post more as I get'r'done. Actually have all 4 walls up now, and the rafters cut...

Oh yeah, there is an incognito pic of me and the hound too....

Willie647 03-22-2009 11:32 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Looks good. I understand that each chicken needs 4 square foot in a coop. And 1 foot on the roost. Backyardchickens.com is a good site.
Willie

TechGuy 03-23-2009 07:42 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willie647 (Post 1640687)
Looks good. I understand that each chicken needs 4 square foot in a coop. And 1 foot on the roost. Backyardchickens.com is a good site.
Willie
That would give me 48 chickens :452:

We will only be getting 10-15. But I like to overdo things like this.

zoot 03-23-2009 08:47 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Nice coop! Be sure to provide a way to get the manure out of the coop and onto your garden...unbelievablely good fertilizer.

TechGuy 03-23-2009 10:00 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoot (Post 1641025)
Nice coop! Be sure to provide a way to get the manure out of the coop and onto your garden...unbelievablely good fertilizer.
That is the next project, actually we will be setting the posts for a good size compost bin right beside the chicken pen.

Plan is to put hay in the pen, and wood shavings in the coop. When the pen and coop get cleaned, it all goes into the composter.

maddyn99 03-23-2009 10:07 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Here is a easy way to all of what you want to do. Not sure of your layout and space, but if you have the room it looks like a great layout.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira44a.html

Basically it a chicken coop in the middle with the compost bin behind it with a garden one side and the chicken run on the the other. One year you let the chickens do their thing on one side, the next year you have pre fertilized garden space and move the chickens to the other side and repeat year after year.

des00s 03-23-2009 11:17 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Hey, maybe you could put the whole coop on wheels and just tow it around and fertilize where you need to in real time. :biggrin:

Dirty Harry 03-23-2009 11:19 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoot (Post 1641025)
Nice coop! Be sure to provide a way to get the manure out of the coop and onto your garden...unbelievablely good fertilizer.
Careful on the garden....that chikin poop is some STRONG stuff. Will burn your garden if you put it on too thick.

The Biss 03-23-2009 11:02 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirty Harry (Post 1641245)
Careful on the garden....that chikin poop is some STRONG stuff. Will burn your garden if you put it on too thick.
Concur. Chicken poo should be composted for a season before putting on the garden. Essentially, the only manure that you can theoretically place straight on the garden without allowing it to age is rabbit manure.

Squirrel Bait 03-24-2009 12:40 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Hey TG, what are you gonna put on the floor to protect it from chicken crap. Some cheep vinyl would do the trick, or may some that is being taken out of a kitchen??

s

blueice 03-24-2009 01:04 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Techman, could you call it the Oboma Coop:questionm

Banjo 03-24-2009 01:11 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by maddyn99 (Post 1641131)
Here is a easy way to all of what you want to do. Not sure of your layout and space, but if you have the room it looks like a great layout.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira44a.html

Basically it a chicken coop in the middle with the compost bin behind it with a garden one side and the chicken run on the the other. One year you let the chickens do their thing on one side, the next year you have pre fertilized garden space and move the chickens to the other side and repeat year after year.
Thanks for posting. I love that setup. I wish that I had the area to do it that way.

TechGuy 03-24-2009 08:17 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squirrel Bait (Post 1642772)
Hey TG, what are you gonna put on the floor to protect it from chicken crap. Some cheep vinyl would do the trick, or may some that is being taken out of a kitchen??

s
Haven't decided yet. Unfortunately, it is going to rain here for the next 3 days, and since all 4 walls are up, it is going to be hard to cover... so it is going to get wet.

Prob cheap vinyl.

TechGuy 03-24-2009 08:20 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Homeowners assoc called yesterday, wanted (I kid you not):

Color sample of paint (told them barn red like 5 of the barns on the street, they still want a sample)
Were concerned about the cinder blocks
Wanted to remind me that I can only have 4 of any one kind of animal (they can bite me)


We will see how far this gets into a fight.

True the hoa docs DO say no more than 4 of one type and specifically metions poultry, dogs, and cats. But IF they give me crap over 10 chickens, I will have 4 chickens, 4 ducks..........

Seriously, I wish I had moved farther out.

Carver 03-24-2009 08:50 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1643032)
Homeowners assoc called yesterday, wanted (I kid you not):

Color sample of paint (told them barn red like 5 of the barns on the street, they still want a sample)
Were concerned about the cinder blocks
Wanted to remind me that I can only have 4 of any one kind of animal (they can bite me)


We will see how far this gets into a fight.

True the hoa docs DO say no more than 4 of one type and specifically metions poultry, dogs, and cats. But IF they give me crap over 10 chickens, I will have 4 chickens, 4 ducks..........

Seriously, I wish I had moved farther out.
Your set up is looking great. I wouldn't have thought you had that kind of HOA given your pics - it looks so country. Anyway, I hope the HOA doesn't cause you too many troubles.

TechGuy 03-24-2009 08:59 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carver (Post 1643060)
Your set up is looking great. I wouldn't have thought you had that kind of HOA given your pics - it looks so country. Anyway, I hope the HOA doesn't cause you too many troubles.
Thanks.

Everyone has horses and it is a farm community. The HOA is mainly good to keep trailers, cars, etc. out and make sure the trash is picked up.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of old ladies on the board that want the neighborhood to be like a tract home neighborhood.

If they give me too many problems, they are going to see a fight the likes of which they have not seen. There are enough fed up landowners to give them a run for their money.

I am thinking a 3ft picket fence at the bootom of the pen should do nicely to confuse the number of chickens in there.

Besides, there is another guy that has far more than 4. They are also selectively enforcing some restrictions. Should be enough of a loophole for me.

Weho Dave 03-24-2009 09:04 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
That looks like it will be really nice. My "temporary" coop is 5 pieces of 1 inch plywood nailed together and covered with plastic. Had it two years now. Where does the time go? Sits right on the ground and unpainted. If I tried to build something nice, I would have to get it inspected and pay the town for the right. Not gonna happen. Good luck with the HOA. Maybe you can claim different breeds of poultry as types, such as 4 reds, 4 leghorns, 4 ameraucanas, 4 barred rock, etc.

Osaka 03-24-2009 09:43 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I'm reminded of the words of CW McCall, who wrote:

Them chicken coops was full a bears
And choppers filled the skies

Seriously, though, it looks like a nice piece of land you got there TechGuy. Someone needs to sit down with the dog and have a heart to heart talk. That dog looks entirely too happy, and I suspect he figures you are building him a deluxe dog house.

Fatboy 03-24-2009 10:05 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
8x16 will seem huge until you start to put stuff in it. That size will make things much easier for you in the future. You will have adequate space to store your feed, a few tools and space to brood the next batch of chicks to replace these.

Vinyl on the floor sounds like a great idea at first, research "spraddle" in chicks, here is one source: http://www.2ndchance.info/spraddle.htm

Not quite as easy to "clean" solution but I put a second layer of 1/2 plywood down with just a few screws holding it (not nailed) that can easily be taken up and replaced if it ever gets too nasty or the birds were to get diseased. With the number of birds you are talking (10-15) and 1/2 the square footage of your building (64 sq'), you are looking at 4-6 sq' per bird, if you clean the pen every 20-30 days your plywood will last forever.

Unless you want to try to actually breed your hens and hatch some chicks, I would forgo the rooster. If you have a rooster, the neighbors within 1/4 mile in all directions will know they are there, the hen's cackle does not seem to travel nearly as far as the rooster's crow does (50-100 feet maybe). Contrary to popural belief, roosters don't just crow at sunrise, they crow all day long anytime they want to be noticed! Try to be a "good neighbor", and you just might get away with the number of hens that you want to have. Pi$$ off your neighbors and they might be calling the HOA to check your place every week to count your critters.

Good luck with "the girls". You will love them!

TechGuy 03-24-2009 10:20 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatboy (Post 1643156)
8x16 will seem huge until you start to put stuff in it. That size will make things much easier for you in the future. You will have adequate space to store your feed, a few tools and space to brood the next batch of chicks to replace these.

Vinyl on the floor sounds like a great idea at first, research "spraddle" in chicks, here is one source: http://www.2ndchance.info/spraddle.htm

Not quite as easy to "clean" solution but I put a second layer of 1/2 plywood down with just a few screws holding it (not nailed) that can easily be taken up and replaced if it ever gets too nasty or the birds were to get diseased. With the number of birds you are talking (10-15) and 1/2 the square footage of your building (64 sq'), you are looking at 4-6 sq' per bird, if you clean the pen every 20-30 days your plywood will last forever.

Unless you want to try to actually breed your hens and hatch some chicks, I would forgo the rooster. If you have a rooster, the neighbors within 1/4 mile in all directions will know they are there, the hen's cackle does not seem to travel nearly as far as the rooster's crow does (50-100 feet maybe). Contrary to popural belief, roosters don't just crow at sunrise, they crow all day long anytime they want to be noticed! Try to be a "good neighbor", and you just might get away with the number of hens that you want to have. Pi$$ off your neighbors and they might be calling the HOA to check your place every week to count your critters.

Good luck with "the girls". You will love them!
Not sure why I put 8x16 it is actually 8x12, but should be fine for the 10-15 chickens I plan to put in there.

They will enjoy a 24x24 pen outside too, so they won't be in there full time.

That is a good idea about the plywood, I should have enough scrap to do that pretty easily.

No roosters, you are right, they crow ALL the time, had one as kid that crowed a lot at night.

5 australorp, 5 RIR, and 5 buff on order, my guess is that 12 or so make it to adulthood.

JJ_ 03-24-2009 10:32 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1643032)
True the hoa docs DO say no more than 4 of one type and specifically metions poultry, dogs, and cats. But IF they give me crap over 10 chickens, I will have 4 chickens, 4 ducks..........

Seriously, I wish I had moved farther out.

mehh... I H8 HOA's


Mebbie define "kinds" as breeds:

4 Delawares

4 Rhode Island Reds

4 australorp

..naa that won't work.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

TechGuy 04-10-2009 07:04 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
3 Attachment(s)
Update on the chicken coop. Need to finish the door, under-eve vents, and paint the trim. Then we go inside to do the nest boxes and roost.....

The vertical trim started out as a way to cover the joints between two pieces of plywood (I used 16/32 cdx for cheap siding) and thought, hey this looks sort of cool.
All the cedar trim is actually cedar fence pickets that have been ripped down using a table saw. 1 8ft picket yields 2 3inx8ft (1x4x8) for 4 bucks instead of 9 bucks for 1x4x8 cedar at the home despot. I bought mainly 6ft cedar pickets, they were 2.50 instead of again 9 bucks for a single 1x4 at home despot. This is an easy way to save big bucks on projects like these.

Oh and haven't heard boo from the HOA. I am going to put a 6ft privacy fence around 3 sides, and a combo 3ft wood, 3ft wire fence in the front. I dare you to count my chickens now.


Yeah, we went overboard, but hey... it is now aptly named:

"the best little henhouse in texas"

Even included an action shot.....

CrufflerJJ 04-10-2009 07:56 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1672055)
Update on the chicken coop. Need to finish the door, under-eve vents, and paint the trim. Then we go inside to do the nest boxes and roost.....
It looks VERY NICE. I'm sure your hens will show their appreciation!

I'll be slapping together a cheapie (nowhere near as nice as yours) chicken house sometime in the random future. We'll only be getting half a dozen hens to start. My wife had chickens as a kid, so she'll be the brains of the operation (nothing new there!).

No HOA to worry about - we're out in the country.

GardensGold&Guns 04-10-2009 08:00 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1640624)
Finally got started on the chicken coop. 8x12 should give them a good home. Hopefully will get the rest of the coup complete this by next monday. Then I can start on the fence.

Ordering chickens tomorrow.

Posted a few pics of progress below, will post more as I get'r'done. Actually have all 4 walls up now, and the rafters cut...

Oh yeah, there is an incognito pic of me and the hound too....
you actually would want a mobile chicken coop!

google "joel salatian"

this way they constantly have acces to new vegetation, bugs,etc & there poop fertilizes the ground!

TechGuy 04-10-2009 08:10 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GardensGold&Guns (Post 1672109)
you actually would want a mobile chicken coop!

google "joel salatian"

this way they constantly have acces to new vegetation, bugs,etc & there poop fertilizes the ground!
We thought about it, but our soil is black clay gumbo and is pretty useless for anything other than clover, johnson grass, crabgrass...etc. Also, it is VERY flat here, less than 1 inch variation between each end of the property. In heavy rains, The clay gets saturated and stays that way for days, and is not a conducive environment to healthy chickens. Hence the sand base.

We decided we wanted a large area for the pen, (will be at least 30x30) and a mechanism to harvest the chicken fertilizer for use on our (future) raised bed garden.

ImaCannin 04-11-2009 07:58 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Are you going to insulate the walls and put up that white dairy board? If not, are you going to paint the interior walls?

TechGuy 04-11-2009 10:25 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ImaCannin (Post 1672628)
Are you going to insulate the walls and put up that white dairy board? If not, are you going to paint the interior walls?
Was not planning to. It doesnt get cold enough here to be factor. The main concern here is ventilation. I also didn't want anything inside that the chickens would be tempted to eat.

The floor will probably get an overlay of plywood or something similar to keep the floor from rotting.

JJ_ 04-16-2009 03:09 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Chikin Fort... *snicker*


Lookin good man.:adore:

TechGuy 05-19-2009 11:37 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
1 Attachment(s)
The chicks arrived today. 5 buffs, 5 reds, and 5 australorp. (the rest go to co-workers that went in with me on this)

Gotta love baby chicks.

The chicken fort is coming along. More pics tonight.

Now need a name... how about FORT HEUVOS??? (Andy set the bar here, so I have to have a decent name for the chicken fort).

blueice 05-19-2009 12:57 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Techman, hard to eat them after looking at that picture!!

You did a nice job on the out of the structure....


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-   -   Chicken Coop on the way (http://goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=360798)

AOW 05-19-2009 01:00 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
It would be great to see a pic of the inside now that it's finished and filled with hot chicks. :36_3_12:

JJ_ 05-19-2009 01:06 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1728816)
Now need a name... how about FORT HEUVOS??? (Andy set the bar here, so I have to have a decent name for the chicken fort).

My vote' s "Fort Foghorn"

:565:

ImaCannin 05-19-2009 01:15 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1728816)

Now need a name... how about FORT HEUVOS??? (Andy set the bar here, so I have to have a decent name for the chicken fort).
How about

Chick Inn

Attachment 70682

BellevueBully 05-19-2009 01:44 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1672712)

The floor will probably get an overlay of plywood or something similar to keep the floor from rotting.
Cheap lino would clean up nice. Just a thought. Btw, very nice job.:ok:

Fatboy 05-19-2009 07:20 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
You were spot on with "The Best Little Hen House In Texas!"

Silver Belle 05-19-2009 08:08 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
1 Attachment(s)
Very nice looking coop, Tech Guy. It sounds like you have a great plan and have this very well thought out. The one thing that I would think about, though, is putting some ventilation in it toward the eaves � you just have to be careful that the vents are predator proof. That�s often the tricky part.

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Biss (Post 1642637)
Concur. Chicken poo should be composted for a season before putting on the garden. Essentially, the only manure that you can theoretically place straight on the garden without allowing it to age is rabbit manure.
Good advice. Another option if you want to use your chicken manure the first year is to make chicken compost tea. I use a big 55 gallon drum to make mine. That�s a nice and safe way to dilute it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fatboy (Post 1643156)
Unless you want to try to actually breed your hens and hatch some chicks, I would forgo the rooster. If you have a rooster, the neighbors within 1/4 mile in all directions will know they are there, the hen's cackle does not seem to travel nearly as far as the rooster's crow does (50-100 feet maybe). Contrary to popural belief, roosters don't just crow at sunrise, they crow all day long anytime they want to be noticed!
Excellent advice. Loud roosters do not make for good neighbors. Plus, they can get pretty nasty. My solution for those bad boys is to turn them into chicken soup. The nastier they are�the tastier the soup seems!

Quote:
Originally Posted by GardensGold&Guns (Post 1672109)
you actually would want a mobile chicken coop!

google "joel salatian"

this way they constantly have acces to new vegetation, bugs,etc & there poop fertilizes the ground!
Better yet, try a hoophouse in an electronetted pen. Depending on where you are located and how hot it gets in the summertime, a Salatin-style house can become a chicken cooker, pretty quickly. Hoop houses, solar powered electronetting and a good chicken livestock guardian dog are definitely the way to go, in my opinion. Much happier girls and the hoophouse won�t break your back like the low to the ground Salatin houses will do.

Last, but not least�are your chicks straight run or pullets? The reason I ask is because if you have a 100% survival rate on your hens, you will have one heckuva lot of eggs once they start laying � probably 5-6 dozen a week once the girls are in full swing. Once you taste those fresh eggs, you�ll never go back. They also might be a nice way to appease the little old HOA ladies who have nothing better to do than to find things to nitpick about.

Enjoy! The only thing cuter than a baby chick at that age is�

a baby turkey. (Just on pasture for the photo op last weekend -- still in the brooder until she and her fifty buddies are feathered in a few weeks.)

TechGuy 05-19-2009 09:02 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Belle (Post 1729477)
Very nice looking coop, Tech Guy. It sounds like you have a great plan and have this very well thought out. The one thing that I would think about, though, is putting some ventilation in it toward the eaves � you just have to be careful that the vents are predator proof. That�s often the tricky part.



Good advice. Another option if you want to use your chicken manure the first year is to make chicken compost tea. I use a big 55 gallon drum to make mine. That�s a nice and safe way to dilute it.



Excellent advice. Loud roosters do not make for good neighbors. Plus, they can get pretty nasty. My solution for those bad boys is to turn them into chicken soup. The nastier they are�the tastier the soup seems!



Better yet, try a hoophouse in an electronetted pen. Depending on where you are located and how hot it gets in the summertime, a Salatin-style house can become a chicken cooker, pretty quickly. Hoop houses, solar powered electronetting and a good chicken livestock guardian dog are definitely the way to go, in my opinion. Much happier girls and the hoophouse won�t break your back like the low to the ground Salatin houses will do.

Last, but not least�are your chicks straight run or pullets? The reason I ask is because if you have a 100% survival rate on your hens, you will have one heckuva lot of eggs once they start laying � probably 5-6 dozen a week once the girls are in full swing. Once you taste those fresh eggs, you�ll never go back. They also might be a nice way to appease the little old HOA ladies who have nothing better to do than to find things to nitpick about.

Enjoy! The only thing cuter than a baby chick at that age is�

a baby turkey. (Just on pasture for the photo op last weekend -- still in the brooder until she and her fifty buddies are feathered in a few weeks.)

Pullets only, didn't want roosters to annoy the HOA. Plus, roosters can be a pain in the butt.

I haven't taken pics yet, but the eaves on high and low side of the roof are setup as vents, with 1/4 inch hardware mesh installed to keep the critters out. In South Texas, we don't worry about cold as much as heat. The roof having high and low vents should provide some decent convection. I may rig a small solar panel and some 12 volt fans this summer as well.

TechGuy 05-19-2009 09:06 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
BTW>

I am reading lots of conflicting info on bedding for the brooder. Is clean hay ok? Or should I change over to something else?

ImaCannin 05-19-2009 09:23 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
We use horse bedding - wood chips for the floor of our coop. The poop kind of sticks to it and we just go in with a shovel and scoop it out. (when i say we, I mean my loving man). We also use it in the nesting box. I like it alot better than hay or straw.

striped_bear 05-21-2009 07:06 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Great thread, TechGuy that coop looks awesome. I'm sure those fluffy chicks love their new palace!

Quote:
Originally Posted by maddyn99
Here is a easy way to all of what you want to do. Not sure of your layout and space, but if you have the room it looks like a great layout.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira44a.html

Basically it a chicken coop in the middle with the compost bin behind it with a garden one side and the chicken run on the the other. One year you let the chickens do their thing on one side, the next year you have pre fertilized garden space and move the chickens to the other side and repeat year after year.
maddyn99: thanks for posting that, what a cool design idea.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/article...ilveira44a.gif

Quick question; how does one keep chickens in a northern climate during which the winters are quite cold (-20 to -30 C)? Is it possible? I am guessing the coop would need to be heated somehow?

Tipsy 05-21-2009 07:52 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1729551)
BTW>

I am reading lots of conflicting info on bedding for the brooder. Is clean hay ok? Or should I change over to something else?
I have 7 chicks in the brooder right now. I use wood shavings and have paper towels on top for the first week. Wood pellets are also good (horse bedding) but I wouldn't use that until they are a couple of weeks old cause it's not as soft on their feet and you don't want them to get spaggle legs. Go to http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/index.php and you'll get all of your questions answered real fast! Good luck. The coop looks great. We are finishing our up this weekend too.


Forgot to add coop name suggestions: Tech's Pecker Palace -- The Egg Plant -- The Omellet Shack

Armed.peasant 05-21-2009 09:28 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I have always used straw or hay and they seem to do fine, I had 26 in the brooder this year and used straw. The most important part is the Temp. inside the brooder, I used a wireless remote Temp. monitor which allowed me to see the brooder Temp. while I was in the house and it also had a display inside the brooder.

I drilled about 12 1 inch holes in the brooder cover and would either cover the holes of block them to control the Temp. inside the brooder. Its a homemade as you can tell.

Keep us updated on the chickens, I will try to get some pictures of mine. I did some improvements to my old chicken house this year.

striped_bear 05-23-2009 12:46 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Been doing a bit of research about chicken coops in cold climates.

It seems that one might be able to get away with a well insulated chicken coop that features passive solar design:

http://www.manytracks.com/Homesteading/solcoop.htm

http://www.manytracks.com/images/Hom...g/coopsnow.jpg

I'm even thinking that the walls could use straw bale insulation, which is rated around R-40.

TechGuy 05-24-2009 07:11 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
5 Attachment(s)
Ok, got some new pics to share.....

First pic, everyone sleeping soundly taking a power nap.

Getting close to done. I was rained out today, so maybe tomorrow we can call the fence and gate done (finally, and yes, it is WAY WAY overboard).

Oh and there is the gratuitous dog shot there too....

BellevueBully 05-24-2009 07:17 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 1736794)
Ok, got some new pics to share.....

First pic, everyone sleeping soundly taking a power nap.

Getting close to done. I was rained out today, so maybe tomorrow we can call the fence and gate done (finally, and yes, it is WAY WAY overboard).

Oh and there is the gratuitous dog shot there too....
MMMMMMmmmmmmm.

What's the word in chickenese for veal.:bear_cry:

Naaaa! Way too cute.:rofl:

Silver Belle 05-24-2009 07:20 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BellevueBully (Post 1736800)
MMMMMMmmmmmmm.

What's the word in chickenese for veal.:bear_cry:

Naaaa! Way too cute.:rofl:
Probably for those little tiny girls the word would be nugget. Not much eatin' there...

JJ_ 05-24-2009 08:33 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
man- looks really nice.

HOA still bustin your chops?

TechGuy 05-24-2009 09:34 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ ShortStroke (Post 1736892)
man- looks really nice.

HOA still bustin your chops?
Not yet.....

Fatboy 05-25-2009 07:18 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
With all the sawing and hammering you have been doing, I would have to think that your chicks would not make anybody upset! Remember how many times you smile when you are standing out there just watching them. Good job, continued good luck with your new girls!

Silver Belle 05-25-2009 07:49 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I certainly will not be able to show these pics to my girls. They will start wanting a fancy place like this included in their next egg laying contract. Here, I thought they had it good because they are in more of a chicken Holiday Inn than a Motel 6, but your girls are in the Henhouse Hilton! Great work, Tech Guy. It's beautiful. If your neighbors complain about you keeping them, you just have neighbors with too much time on their hands and nothing better to do. You can always point them toward the boredom thread for ideas if that turns out to be the case. That should keep them busy for a while...

Tn...Andy 05-26-2009 06:13 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
1 Attachment(s)
Mighty fine looking chicken hotel there, Techguy....

Got mine started the last day or so....flattening off an area to build the lot and housing. Going to use cattle panels on the bottom and bury them 8" deep so hopefully nothing will dig under to get to the chicks.
Lot will be 24x32' and housing 10x12'.

TechGuy 05-29-2009 07:38 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Thanks Andy, things sort of got out of hand (as they tend to do for me) :emotions16:

I tihnk we have decided on the name:

The Chicken Ranch.

People who know what that is should get a chuckle, without being too obvious...subtle humor is sometimes best.

For you young un's.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Ranch_(Texas)

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/njwerVaLByk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/njwerVaLByk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Fatboy 05-30-2009 07:06 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
The lyrics for those that need ZZ translated to english:


Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town
'bout that shack outside La Grange
and you know what I'm talkin' about.
Just let me know if you wanna go
to that home out on the range.
They gotta lotta nice girls ah.

Have mercy.
A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw.
A haw, haw, haw.

Well, I hear it's fine if you got the time
and the ten to get yourself in.
A hmm, hmm.
And I hear it's tight most ev'ry night,
but now I might be mistaken.
hmm, hmm, hmm.

Ah have mercy.


Sure does loose somthing when you remove those guitars!

poor boy 05-30-2009 09:30 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver Belle (Post 1729477)
The only thing cuter than a baby chick at that age is�

a baby turkey. (Just on pasture for the photo op last weekend -- still in the brooder until she and her fifty buddies are feathered in a few weeks.)
Turkeys rule ! along with my ,ummmmm 10 breeds of chickens I have my turkeys :Easterns ,Royal palms ,Blue Slates and Bourbon reds .:applause_

Silver Belle 05-30-2009 09:52 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by poor boy (Post 1746478)
Turkeys rule ! along with my ,ummmmm 10 breeds of chickens I have my turkeys :Easterns ,Royal palms ,Blue Slates and Bourbon reds .:applause_
It's great to see another turkey grower here...I knew folks on GIM were smart people.

Excellent choices... I had all of those varieties last year -- plus Narragansetts and Broad Breasted Bronze. I wouldn't do the Easterns again, personally -- too wild for me. I raise everything on pasture and they were impossible to keep around here. The rest will roost in the trees at night and come down and be sociable during the day -- but the Easterns were a flighty bunch.

This year I am just raising about 50 Bourbon Reds and 50 BB Bronze -- the BRs will be Christmas dinners for folks and the BBBs will be ready by Thanksgiving. So much more personality than a chicken (though I do like my chickens, too). Right now I have about 75 red bro broilers and my laying flock of about 100 girls (a mixed bag -- but Buff Orpingtons and Wyandottes are my personal favorites).

Ryedale 05-30-2009 11:13 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Excellent thread...

We got our chicks on April 27th. Got them from Murry McMurry Hatchery.
We ordered 36, received 40, and one has died (don't know why).

I started the coop when they started really crowding the brooder.

I'll post some pics of the coop shortly. Should have pics by Monday or Tuesday as it progresses.

Coop is 12x12 and sits on 9 4x4 posts cemented into the ground, all treated. I'm doing a 4 way hip roof, which is sucking up some time, but wanted a coupula for looks and ventilation. I've always admired buildings with hip roofs, and wanted to learn how to build them too.

We ordered all pullets, so we are going to have tons of eggs, plan on selling a few to friends and co-workers. We may have to cull a few as broilers, especially if the coop is too crowded.

Put the temporary run in last weekend, put in most the cedar posts for the main run. We will have to clip wings too.

We had free range chickens when I was growing up, these will have to be in a run, we only have an acre, and a Springer Spaniel. Oh well the eggs should still be tasty.

Chicks are using a temporary coop at night now, they are outgrowing everything very quickly.

Pics coming soon.

Perhaps we need a 2009 Chicken Coop Competition of some kind.

Silver Belle 05-30-2009 11:42 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryedale (Post 1746616)
Excellent thread...

We ordered all pullets, so we are going to have tons of eggs...
You're not kidding...you're going to be swimming in eggs. They are easy to sell locally once the word spreads that you have them...but if you have even 60% of those girls in production by fall, you'd be getting close to 2 dozen eggs a day. Nothing like a fresh egg, though...enjoy!

Ryedale 05-31-2009 11:14 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Worked on the coop a little today. Chicks are standing by, wondering when they can move in.
It's probably going to be a few more weekends
.http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...to/COOP007.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...to/COOP005.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...to/COOP002.jpg

Silver Belle 05-31-2009 11:18 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Lookin' good, Ryedale...thanks for sharing!

TechGuy 05-31-2009 11:19 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Very nice.

I really like how you have the coop elevated, gives the hens a nice cool place to hang out.

I wish I had put mine up a little higher, may end up doing that when I get some time. A couple hydraulic house jacks should do the trick.


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Ryedale 05-31-2009 11:37 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Thanks,

Originally I wanted it raised up simply because they say mice, rats, etc like to live under chicken coops. But while in design I decided to do exactly what you mentioned. If I made it a little taller they could hang out under the coop, eat bugs or whatever, and stay out of that hot afternoon sun.
The big white pole bldg wall faces west, so by mid-day the run will be in full sun. The shade under the coop will be nice for them.

Ryedale 07-19-2009 11:28 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
6 Attachment(s)
The chicken coop has turned into a summer destroyer, but Im happy with the progress, can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I last posted in this thread, took a couple weekends off though.

The roof is now complete, shingles on etc, just have to finish the coupula.

Found a nice vintage Jamesway nest box, was a 15 hole, but the bottom 5 were too far gone to salvage, so I removed them and made it a 10. I'd say this is from the 50's or 60's. It had the original price on the side in pencil, $23.14. These boxes new are about 300 for a 10 place, and higher if you want any features. I got this one on craigslist, and had to do some work to restore it, but it looks cool, and will be very functional.

Mounted it in the coop so I can access the eggs from the "man" side by the entry door, or send the kids to get the eggs, without having to step in the litter. I'll still have to go in once a day or more to feed/water the birds.

Meliorist 07-19-2009 11:42 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Wow that looks really nice Ryedale. And quite a bit of firewood to boot (I assume to go with your copper). Do you have any ideas for making it easy to clean out?

Ryedale 07-20-2009 12:04 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meliorist (Post 1825847)
Wow that looks really nice Ryedale. And quite a bit of firewood to boot (I assume to go with your copper). Do you have any ideas for making it easy to clean out?
Yes we thought that through carefully. Notice in this picture where there are no base boards on the left. This is a clean out door that isn't complete yet. we will be able to drive up just outside the building with the little black trailer (shown in the previous pics by the log splitter) We can tow it with the lawn tractor. The floor will be just about perfectly level with the top of the trailer edge, so the litter can be basicly plowed into the trailer. Then hauled off too the pile to "rest" for about 6 months (chicken poo is too hot to use right away, too much nitrogen will just burn everything up).


http://goldismoney.info/forums/attac...1&d=1248060250

TechGuy 09-25-2009 10:33 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
3 Attachment(s)
New pics of the chickens... eggs should be arriving any day.

Pic 1: The flock
Pic 2: The head honcho
Pic 3: Night time...

Big Country 09-26-2009 12:23 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Looks good!

Whats on the ground out in the chicken yard? Doesn't look like grass...doesn't look like dirt...did you put something down?

TechGuy 09-26-2009 08:53 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Country (Post 1940944)
Looks good!

Whats on the ground out in the chicken yard? Doesn't look like grass...doesn't look like dirt...did you put something down?

A combination of dried bermuda grass clippings from the yard and coastal hay. Parts of the yard are really thick, so i cut it, let that dry and then rake it up and throw it in there.

It really keeps the mud and smell down, and the chickens go nuts over it. They scratch around in it, find the dead bugs that the mower killed, and eat the seeds from the hay.

The added bonus is that this becomes the ultimate compost pile.

JJ_ 09-26-2009 10:09 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Birds are lookin good.

Been meaning ta ask ya how the egg production is coming.

I'm beginning to get envious. Wish I could have a coop in town.

Good stuff man.

bjgnome 09-26-2009 11:09 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by striped_bear (Post 1735166)
Been doing a bit of research about chicken coops in cold climates.

It seems that one might be able to get away with a well insulated chicken coop that features passive solar design:

http://www.manytracks.com/Homesteading/solcoop.htm

http://www.manytracks.com/images/Hom...g/coopsnow.jpg

I'm even thinking that the walls could use straw bale insulation, which is rated around R-40.
Yep. People are doing that:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2167000_buil...cken-coop.html

StackerKen 09-26-2009 11:42 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
yep looking good there Techguy,
One of the pullets turn out to be a Cock?

TechGuy 09-26-2009 06:18 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by traderken (Post 1941310)
yep looking good there Techguy,
One of the pullets turn out to be a Cock?
yeah, worked out great though, i wouldnt trade the roo. he does a good job with keeping the girls in line and making sure they are put up for the night.

there is a 90% success rate with sexing chickens. odds are if you buy more than 10-20 you will get a roo or two.

funny thing is ideal poultry farms actually will throw in a roo or two free of charge if you have a very small order to help keep the pullets warm.

We actually had two roos, one was a runt, i called him runt-roo. i think the head honcho there did him in... he didn't make it. in the end we ordered 30 some odd chicks, and two were roos. not altogether bad, the other chicks went to work friends.

TechGuy 09-26-2009 06:19 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ ShortStroke (Post 1941238)
Birds are lookin good.

Been meaning ta ask ya how the egg production is coming.

I'm beginning to get envious. Wish I could have a coop in town.

Good stuff man.

I will have all the fresh eggs you want.

Armed.peasant 09-26-2009 10:48 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
We sale enough eggs to cover our chicken feed cost and still have plenty to eat.

TechGuy 09-26-2009 11:19 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armed.peasant (Post 1942110)
We sale enough eggs to cover our chicken feed cost and still have plenty to eat.
That is the plan.

May start a 'coop' where people just bring me feed and I give them eggs. No pesky business going on here.

TechGuy 10-16-2009 10:45 PM
Found our first egg today!
 
1 Attachment(s)
Finally... Started to think I was going to have to sqeeze the eggs out of the chicks.

First egg attemp.. a little small, but otherwise perfect... We think it is from one of our Buffs. I put it up against a normal size egg.

I know it is goofy, but we are very excited.

MNeagle 10-16-2009 10:53 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Congrats!!!

coopersmith 10-16-2009 11:25 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
How many weeks old are your pullets? Ive got a bunch of buff orpington pullets from www.cacklehatchery.com and they are around 16 weeks old. Curious to see what age yours started laying at........

If I was a Buddhist chicken, id pray to come back as a bigger chicken!

Chicken poop hides the smell of buried silver im told!

:565:

best regards,

coopersmith

Silverstone 10-17-2009 12:41 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
TG, looks great...couldn't you just let the chickens run on a dirt floor and just muck it out with a rake? Replace w/clean dirt couple times a year? On hot days in summer, hose the whole coup out with mixture of chlorine and water? (attachment to hose) and let air dry? Maybe a little straw in the winter, muck out? Might be easier than dealing with a wood floor. *I don't know that I'd want to deal with a wood floor and chicken poop. Just thinking out loud.

scyth 10-17-2009 12:59 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Nice to see a cut roof again.

A dying, if not dead, art.

The younger generation only seems to know

How to roll trusses............


scyth

StackerKen 10-17-2009 12:18 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Congrats Techguy on the 1st egg.
They start out small but will get bigger in a few days or so.

TechGuy 10-17-2009 02:53 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverstone (Post 1976924)
TG, looks great...couldn't you just let the chickens run on a dirt floor and just muck it out with a rake? Replace w/clean dirt couple times a year? On hot days in summer, hose the whole coup out with mixture of chlorine and water? (attachment to hose) and let air dry? Maybe a little straw in the winter, muck out? Might be easier than dealing with a wood floor. *I don't know that I'd want to deal with a wood floor and chicken poop. Just thinking out loud.
Hasn't been an issue at all. We put cheap linoleum on the wood floor to keep any moisture off of it. Then we put down lots of wood shavings. The chicken poop never touches the floor.

Nice and warm for them, we will clean it a couple times a year. It is called the deep litter method.

The chicks are 22 weeks old.

Tecumseh 11-20-2009 09:15 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
3 Attachment(s)
[ATTACH]Attachment 82605[/ATTACH]

Attachment 82606

My father in law helped me improve my chicken tractor since the weather is getting a little colder. The chickens seem to love it. I think I am still about month away from my first eggs.

TechGuy 11-22-2009 07:39 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Chicken update:

We collected 9 eggs today. So, out of 13 hens looks like we have a few that are already laying every day. The eggs are now pretty much full size, you can definately tell which chickens they come from, redish eggs.. RIR, blonde... buffO... purplish tinted egg with spots... Australorp



Firing on all cylinders now...

We have sold two dozen so far and given away a few. We have people lined up to get the good eggs, so hopefully the chicks will at least pay for some of their feed costs.

Tecumseh 12-04-2009 07:17 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
It was totally unexpected but I got my first egg today. I got them at the end of July so they are only 18 weeks. It was small and had cracked. It was white so I know from my son's whilte leghorn (Kenny). My black star (Cinder) has been making a funny squatting position the last few days so I suspect she will be next. My daughter's Rhode Island Red (Wubbzy) is probably not too far behind. I'll try to post a pic later - I'm late for work.

supn9 12-04-2009 07:43 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 2039412)
Chicken update:

We collected 9 eggs today. So, out of 13 hens looks like we have a few that are already laying every day. The eggs are now pretty much full size, you can definately tell which chickens they come from, redish eggs.. RIR, blonde... buffO... purplish tinted egg with spots... Australorp



Firing on all cylinders now...

We have sold two dozen so far and given away a few. We have people lined up to get the good eggs, so hopefully the chicks will at least pay for some of their feed costs.
Awesome! Nice progress.

Tecumseh 12-05-2009 01:21 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
2 Attachment(s)
Got a last minute invite to a basketball game but here is my girl's egg. Techguy is right - very goofy but I'm feeling a little fatherly pride....

Tecumseh 12-05-2009 09:15 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
1 Attachment(s)
Ha - another one this morning.

Tecumseh 12-05-2009 11:06 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Question for more experienced chicken owners...

How long does a hen normally lay? I can probably squeeze 6 birds into my little tractor - I'm doing this mainly as a hobby. I'm just wondering how often I will have to rotate new stock in. I guess it wouldn't be a big deal to build a second tractor.

I'm an old duck hunter but not sure that I can put a bird that I've given a name too in the cooking pot.

Armed.peasant 12-05-2009 11:21 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Chickens will be most productive the first two years and lay as often as an egg a day.

They can live 18 to 2o years, but most live to age 10 to 12 and will lay most of that time but slow after year 2.

beercritic 12-06-2009 01:35 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Just remember, if it has 2 doors it's a coop. If they sell you something with 4 doors, it's a chicken sedan.


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TechGuy 01-10-2010 10:52 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Chickens seem to be surviving the cold just fine. I have 2 250watt heat lamps running in the coop, and it has kept the temp just above freezing for them while being 22 degrees outside.

I have 2 buffs that seem to be getting awfully protective of their nests. Had to put gloves on to retrieve the eggs for the first time since they started laying.

StackerKen 01-10-2010 11:01 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Techguy; Are ya gonna let them hatch a brood when it warms up?

Its really neat to see a mother hen with her babies...She Talks to them..

TechGuy 01-10-2010 11:11 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StackerKen (Post 2118665)
Techguy; Are ya gonna let them hatch a brood when it warms up?

Its really neat to see a mother hen with her babies...She Talks to them..
I really want to, wife doesn't want more chickens.. I may try to hatch a few out and then sell them on craigslist.

StackerKen 01-10-2010 11:23 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Yeah, Your wife is Smart.
We have too many chickens. But we do lose some now and then to predators. thats why we stock up in the summer...lol

We found its Best to keep the mother and her babies separate from the rest of the chickens. Because them chickens ain't always nice to babies. (Cannibals)

We have also Hatched some in a Incubator and keep them in a Brooder for bout 3 months (Or more) But its funner and easier to let the Hen Raise them

Weho Dave 01-10-2010 11:27 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
My coop is not heated. I think it was supposed to get down to 3 degrees last night. The chickens are fine. They stay close together on their roosts. They are about 2 and a half years old now. Most days they won't come out of the coop. I have been putting their food and water in the coop for their convenience. Every morning I have to carry hot water out there and replace their ice cube with water. Sometimes mid-day I have to do it too.

They have not laid an egg in over a month. In nature, winter is a time when they re-build their egg laying organs. Last year they came out and laid even in the snow. I guess they are getting too old for this sh*t.

Sadly, I lost one a few months ago to natural causes. She had a tumor on her breast for over a year. I never bothered with it because she ate and seemed happy. About a week before she died, she became very lethargic and was not getting on the roost at night. Her last night, I picked her up and put her on the roost. In the morning she was back on the floor, but alive. I went to work and when I came home, she was dead in a corner of the coop.

Of the original 20 chicks, 10 are left after 30 months. One was a rooster I gave away.

TechGuy 01-10-2010 11:29 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
We have been getting between 7-10 eggs a day, and the eggs seem a little smaller. When it is warmer we have been getting 11-13.

So down a little, but not bad.

coopersmith 01-10-2010 12:05 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Our hens just started laying a few weeks ago. I was suprised, and had expected them to wait til it got a bit warmer to start. We add a little heat to our chicken house with an 80 watt bulb, they have gone thru some -20 and been just fine. My roosters havent had their combs frozen.

Tecumseh 01-10-2010 02:50 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I had just a 75 watt incandesent light over their water bowl until this really cold weather hit. My wife got on me about getting them some heat even though they seemed fine. I bought a very small space heater and keep it as low as possible - as soon as the cold weather breaks I'll go back to just a light bulb.

My Black Star and RI Red don't seem at all bothered by the cold and pretty much continue to give an egg a day. My white leghorn has only laid one egg over the last 5 days (as of this morning). I've kept them in the coop and not let them out in their run because we still have about a foot of snow on the ground.

skid 01-10-2010 07:48 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Nice coops Techguy/Ryedale! Do you have any finished pictures? Anything you would change design-wise? How easy are the coops to clean? I am going to build a similar sized coop this spring.

TechGuy 01-10-2010 08:08 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skid (Post 2119442)
Nice coops Techguy/Ryedale! Do you have any finished pictures? Anything you would change design-wise? How easy are the coops to clean? I am going to build a similar sized coop this spring.
Mine has been pretty maintenance free, we have only done a total cleanout once. I may add a 'run' or something similar for the chickens to be able to go out in when the yard is frozen or wet. Not sure yet. We have painted ours barn red and will trim out with white when the weather improves.

  1. My nest boxes are a little high, so I don't get many eggs in the top boxes. I may adjust them down a little when it warms up.
  2. Need to cut some kind of access door near the roof to let the stupid little sparrows out of the coop that manage to make their way in there and get trapped.
  3. We ended up adding a large flap type door in the back for ventilation. I would suggest putting in more than you think you need.
  4. if you live in a hot climate, elevate the coop more so the chickens can get under. I raised mine up a few inches and the chickens live under there during the hot part of the day.
The fence works perfectly, and blocks much of the north wind.

StackerKen 01-10-2010 09:42 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
we have started to get more eggs recently.
I think it may have more to do with the length of the days than the temps

TechGuy 01-10-2010 09:44 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StackerKen (Post 2119648)
we have started to get more eggs recently.
I think it may have more to do with the length of the days than the temps
did you try the cover method for cooking eggs?

StackerKen 01-10-2010 09:50 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TechGuy (Post 2119655)
did you try the cover method for cooking eggs?
Techguy I have been doing it that way for years. Your right, it Works very well
Although I don't have a glass lid.
I time it with the toaster....
I heat the olive oil or butter then I crack the eggs, cover, push down the toast, when the toast pops up the eggs are done....(most of the time) :ok:

StrawMan=Corporation 01-11-2010 01:49 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
4 Attachment(s)
Took this pic a while ago we are getting about 3-4 eggs a week now and I'm just about to build the nesting boxes. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
I am also just about done with the henhouse that these two hens will be living in. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ill</st1:place></st1:State> post the pics of the little henhouse after I edit them for size as my camera is setup to a high resolution.

Other pics are a new goat that was born on 12/22/09 and its grandmother that seems to have adopted it as its birth mother wants nothing to do with it.

Tecumseh 01-11-2010 10:04 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Nice barred rock!
What is the other bird?

StrawMan=Corporation 01-11-2010 10:59 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
My wife thinks she is a Easter Egger.

I thought a Buff orfington but not really sure.

She has a strange beard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tecumseh (Post 2121394)
Nice barred rock!
What is the other bird?

TechGuy 01-11-2010 11:09 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawMan=Corporation (Post 2121481)
My wife thinks she is a Easter Egger.

I thought a Buff orfington but not really sure.

She has a strange beard.
Doesn't look like a full bred buff to me (i am NOT an expert).

She looks a little small for an adult buff. Mine are almost 2x the size now than they were in the last pics I posted. They are large, and have really fluffy loose feathers.

StackerKen 01-11-2010 11:15 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
My wife says Its an Americana (or Americauna)

they lay blue (green) eggs

we had a few but, the coyotes got em

TechGuy 01-11-2010 11:17 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Bingo....

Araucanas and Ameraucanas are also called the "Easter Egg Chicken" because they lay eggs with green- and blue-tinted shells! Araucanas are the "true breed", originating in South America, and Ameraucanas are Araucanas that have been cross-bred with other breeds of chicken but retain the unique coloring of the egg shell. (This particular hen lays eggs with a beautiful light blue-green colored shell.)

text from backyard chickens....

http://www.mypetchicken.com/images/c...nHn_0753_L.jpg

Tecumseh 01-12-2010 07:27 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
So based on the color of the egg most likely hers and not the Barred Rock? I really wanted Barred Rocks for my flock but the hatchery was out of them the day I went.

Tecumseh 01-13-2010 10:12 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I had three brown eggs today so my white leghorn is back to taking some time off but one of the other ones laid two today. First time that I have proof of that happening. The two that looked very similar were on the small side so I guess not any different than the occassional very large egg with a double yolk.

StrawMan=Corporation 01-13-2010 10:37 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
I had 2 or 3 brown eggs as well but I didn’t go in to get them just yet. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
The Girls wanted out today but I didn’t want to relocate the dog as his house is adjacent to theirs. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
He scares them too much when they free range if he is still attached to his house. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Now for your viewing pleasure my 3 week old doe gets out of the pen for some exercise.
ETA: anyone in the market for a RIR rooster he is a good protector but I dont want eggs with a face IYKWIM.

Anyone caught the rooster ballancing act on the hens yet ?

<o:p></o:p>

TechGuy 01-14-2010 09:47 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by StrawMan=Corporation (Post 2125253)
ETA: anyone in the market for a RIR rooster he is a good protector but I dont want eggs with a face IYKWIM.

Anyone caught the rooster ballancing act on the hens yet ?

<o:p></o:p>
Keep your rooster. Ours does a great job of keeping the hens in line.

Fertilised eggs are just fine. Don't worry about it. If you gather the eggs every day and stick them in the fridge you will never see anything at all.

That won't happen unless you lets those eggs sit out there with a hen brooding them for several days at a min.

Tecumseh 01-19-2010 10:08 AM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Well this sucks. I went out to feed the girls this morning and found Kenny my white leghorn dead and cold. I guess that explains the lack of production from her over the last few weeks. I also noticed the last few days that they are not eating food like they used to. I am worried about the other two now - usually when I go out in the morning they are hungry as wolves, today the other two didn't even get off their roost to get food and there was about 1/3 of yesterdays food left in the feeder.
I didn't have them vaccinated for anything at the hatchery but until this morning they always seemed very healthy.
Kenny was my favorite - kind of jumpy but also personable - seemed to like me petting her and would peck on the window from inside the coop if I was outside - always seemed to be watching from inside the coop and would cluck or come out if she saw me outside.
Oh well life is fragile I suppose - kind of sad.

TechGuy 01-19-2010 02:06 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tecumseh (Post 2134776)
Well this sucks. I went out to feed the girls this morning and found Kenny my white leghorn dead and cold. I guess that explains the lack of production from her over the last few weeks. I also noticed the last few days that they are not eating food like they used to. I am worried about the other two now - usually when I go out in the morning they are hungry as wolves, today the other two didn't even get off their roost to get food and there was about 1/3 of yesterdays food left in the feeder.
I didn't have them vaccinated for anything at the hatchery but until this morning they always seemed very healthy.
Kenny was my favorite - kind of jumpy but also personable - seemed to like me petting her and would peck on the window from inside the coop if I was outside - always seemed to be watching from inside the coop and would cluck or come out if she saw me outside.
Oh well life is fragile I suppose - kind of sad.
Oh wow, sorry to hear that. It is always hard to lose one.

JJ_ 01-19-2010 02:29 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tecumseh (Post 2134776)
Well this sucks. I went out to feed the girls this morning and found Kenny my white leghorn dead and cold. .

Shouldn't have named him Kenny..



lol

sorry bout your rooster man - couldn't resist.


TG-

I'm ready for some EGGS man! :P

CANUCKFARMER 01-19-2010 02:49 PM
Re: Chicken Coop on the way
 
Dont know if this has been posted yet but....

When feeding any animal it is preferable to "roll"(basically crack or smash) the feed grain that is involved.

Helps animal digest.

I think Chickens also need exposure to gravel so they can store some in their gullet to help in digesting grain.

Also ample sunlight,i would even get some fake light for wintertime.

You also should be adding some antibiotics to their water(the specific name escapes me)

For young chicks it is preferable to dip their beaks in water because they will often die because they are to stupid to drink.

AND VERY IMPORTANT-when getting several hundred chicks make sure the pen is perfect round,they will pile up on each other in corners resulting in many deaths.

We always prefered peat moss to straw for small chicks.

If they start pecking and eating eachother alive you may have to cut the tips of their beaks of.


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