Chickens, and things related

[4720 OWNER]

Depending on your 'critter' load, you may just get by with scrupulous food control. No left overs in feeders overnite, all feed kept in a metal bin and such. I have 'coons, possum, coyote, skunk all in the area and noone has bothered either the layers in their house or the tractor chicken meats and have had to do minimal crisis critter control (flashlite and shotgun) over the last 4 years. Any carcasses are burned the same day found.

 

[Tororider]

Instead of burying the wire straight down you could bury it in an "L". Attach it to the bottom of the coop and then put it so that it spreads away from the coop a foot or two. I don't know if what I just wrote makes any sense, but animals have a hard time realizing that if they just start digging a foot back away from they can get in. If that doesn't make sense let me know and I will try to explain it another way.

 

[bmac]

Instead of burying the wire straight down you could bury it in an "L". Attach it to the bottom of the coop and then put it so that it spreads away from the coop a foot or two. I don't know if what I just wrote makes any sense, but animals have a hard time realizing that if they just start digging a foot back away from they can get in. If that doesn't make sense let me know and I will try to explain it another way.

Thanks. And it makes perfect sense.

 

[tony123]

Lookin' good bmac.

You guys have me concerned about predators from underneath now. Remember, I'm using a chicken tractor, intentionally without a floor. All a predator would have to do is dig under a 2x4 and he'd be in the coop. I think I'm going to put some hardware cloth as a floor in the coop part of the tractor. That way, at least when I close them up at night I feel better.

 

[Tororider]

I think it all depends on your situation, ie predators. Me being in a highly populated subdivision my biggest concern is the chickens digging out, not really, but you get my drift. I just try to keep an eye out for any signs of predators, so far nothing. From what I have been told, dog scent greatly discourages predators. I may put a skirt around the outside just to feel safer.

Had a heart attack today. I was out working on the coop in the run, and had to run in quick for dinner. Apparently I didn't lock it up tight so when I went out after dinner the door was wide open. I started scanning around looking for the chickens in the neighbors yard. I glanced into the pen, didn't see any chickens, took the roof off the makeshift coop and sure enough all three were right there. I could feel my heart beating, thats for sure.

 

[EddieWalker]

...and sure enough all three were right there. I could feel my heart beating, thats for sure.

You made me laugh. I'm wondering when I'll get to that point where I'm worried about my chickens and if they are safe!!!

Hopefully sometime soon.

Eddie

 

[tony123]

That has happened to me enough times now that the first place I look is the coop....they're ALWAYS their. Mine are free ranging in an unfenced area for all daylight hours now. I make it a point to check on them once every other hour or so. I used to walk to all ends of the property for them and then started noticing the pattern. I've never caught them more than about 100' from the coop. They have a very strong sense of staying near it for safety. Most strange noises will send them all running across the yard for cover in the coop.

I'm finally becoming comfortable that their survival instinct is stronger than my memory to check on them.

I'm in a rural setting, with a fence on one side for 400' in both directions. I think this cuts down on my predator "through" traffic. I also have two dogs (that hang out with the chickens). Between those two things, I think my risk level is pretty low, certainly not high.

 

[Soundguy]

Lookin' good bmac.

You guys have me concerned about predators from underneath now. Remember, I'm using a chicken tractor, intentionally without a floor. All a predator would have to do is dig under a 2x4 and he'd be in the coop. I think I'm going to put some hardware cloth as a floor in the coop part of the tractor. That way, at least when I close them up at night I feel better.

If you cover the floor of the pen.. then you drastically cut down on the 'tractor' action.

soundguy

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

Sorry for not replying earlier, I did, but might not have posted it. Not sure what happened, but I did reply to your PM and will do the same here.

I would return the vents and get flat ones. The ones you have look like they are for brick work, but I'm not positive. The ones I like are made from plastic, or maybe PVC. They hold up real good, have a very clean finish to them and are fairly inexpensive. The octegon shaped ones are easy to trim out and give the building a little something extra when done. Square is ok, but you already have square in there with your windows. Round looks good too, but triming it out takes allot of time.

If you cannot find plastic, aluminum is good too. Avoid wood. The ones I've seen are made of cedar and look ok at first, but then start to come apart. If you have to have wood, take it apart and glue it back together with gorilla glue!!!

I'm not sure where I got the idea that you were leaving your rafter tails exposed. Just thought it up probably. Anyway, covering them up with soffits is an excellent way to clean up the finish of your building. They sell a Luan exterior plywood that's real nice for this. It gives you a satin smooth finish. Of course, just regular 3/8 exterior plywood works too.

Eddie

 

[bmac]

bmac,

I would return the vents and get flat ones. The ones you have look like they are for brick work, but I'm not positive. The ones I like are made from plastic, or maybe PVC. They hold up real good, have a very clean finish to them and are fairly inexpensive. The octegon shaped ones are easy to trim out and give the building a little something extra when done.

Eddie

Something like this?

22" White Vinyl Octagon Gable Vent

Looks like a lot of miter cuts to trim out. Are you intentionally trying to make this project last even longer?