Chickens, and things related

[Tororider]

Apparently racoons teeth are like wire cutters and the can easily pull a chicken through chain link fence. Building one yourself might be the better bet. A heavy gauge wire mesh/hardware cloth should be good. And having your dogs scent around the pen will go a long ways towards discouraging them.

 

[tile]

Apparently racoons teeth are like wire cutters and the can easily pull a chicken through chain link fence. Building one yourself might be the better bet. A heavy gauge wire mesh/hardware cloth should be good. And having your dogs scent around the pen will go a long ways towards discouraging them.

Good info there thanks a lot.

 

[bmac]

Been thinking about getting a few chickens here.

And was wondering as far as a pen or run if I could use a
10' x 10' x 6 dog kennel like the ones you get at tractor supply.

Maybe make some type of roof for shade from the sun and rain and build a little nesting box or house inside for them.

And try to install something around the bottom of the pen to keep things out.

Any pros or cons to this ?

That is exactly what my daughter's friend is using for their pen. He attached the pen to the coop with some sort of pipe clamp and covered the top with chicken wire.

He also put chicken wire around the bottom (burried) but apparently left a gap somewhere as something got in and killed 4 birds. He fixed that point of entry and a day or 2 later found a headless chicken in the pen. So, he added 1/2" mesh to the bottom 2' or so to keep the chickens from sticking their heads through the chicken wire.

Someone explained to him that hawks will do a little dance that lures the chickens to stick their heads through the fence and then they bite the heads off. Don't know if its true or not. Interesting tale either way.

 

[dooleysm]

I think I would happily sacrafice a few chickens in exchange for seeing this hawk dance routine.

 

[bmac]

I think I would happily sacrafice a few chickens in exchange for seeing this hawk dance routine.

Heck, I'd pay admission to see that!

 

[ihookem]

This hawk dance ain't going to work for my chickens. I raise meat birds (cornish cross). They are afraid of everything. I realized very quickly why we get the term "he won't do it he's chicken" . Funny story though.

 

[bmac]

Progress on the coop. Although I didn't get started until after lunch, I did make some visible (but not amazing) progress today. My wife was able to help some this afternoon. This is always appreciated.

I got all except the last rafter in today along with notching the end rafters for the gable end extensions. Cut and notched the gable extension for 3 of the 4 gable sections. The attached photo shows where I left off today.

The gable extensions are not yet nailed in - I think I'm going to put the 2x6 subfacia up before I nail the gable extensions. Then, I'll put up the Hardie fascia and rake boards, add the sheathing, drip edge and roofing paper.

The good news is that my brother is in town to visit his daughter and he has offered to come over after church tomorrow and help for a few hours before he drives back to FL. As much as I appreciate my wife's help, my brother knows how to handle a saw, nail gun, etc. He thinks we can have the roof completed tomorrow before he leaves (except shingles). We'll see how fast it goes with him on board.

I'll update tomorrow after the taskmaster heads home to FL.

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

It looks great. You still need to do the corners the same way, just be sure to change your angle so that the flat side of the board is flush with the end of your rafters to attach your fascia boards.

You sure know how to enjoy a three day weekend!!!

Eddie

 

[bmac]

bmac,

It looks great. You still need to do the corners the same way, just be sure to change your angle so that the flat side of the board is flush with the end of your rafters to attach your fascia boards.

You sure know how to enjoy a three day weekend!!!

Eddie

Thanks, Eddie. For the corners, I was just going to run a 2x6 along the end of the rafters, but long enough so that the fascia on the gable ends (what I have been calling rake boards) would have something to nail to on the ends. This also will satisfy Hardie's recommendation for having the fascia supported by wood. The term they use is subfascia. Wouldn't this work for corner support?

On the gable ends, I was going to forego the 2x6's per your earlier comment that it is not really necessary to add the wood backing to the Hardie fascia and doing so would have really messed up my measurements.

Please tell me if I'm about to screw up.

And, BTW, this is how everyone should spend a 3-day weekend. So, if anyone is without a fun project like this for Memorial day, I am accepting volunteers for Monday.

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

Yes, a 2x6 "subfascia" will give you the support for the corner of your decking. I forgot about that, but it's a good idea and method to attach the Hardi.

I've been framing all week for a job that I'm doing, so for my three day weekend, I'm moving dirt. Framing is allot of fun, but so is moving dirt!!!!

Eddie