Chickens, and things related

[PineRidge]

Mike, If you put anymore creature comforts in the coop I'm coming over and spend a week before the chickens move in.

If you need a way to get the chicks home, this chicken tractor by 3RRL comes to mind. Forgive me if it's already been posted in this thread.

Check this out:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1649079-post1170.html

and

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1649289-post1178.html


Don

Rob always has some real nice projects. I enjoy reading his threads.

The wife told me that if the chickens didn't work for her I could put a big screen TV in the coop and an air conditioner in the wall. Instant man cave with a view of the garden.

 

[Tororider]

Pine,
The poop tray is a good idea that I have seen a lot of people do, it makes for much more time between coop cleanings.

Not sure that your grass idea will work. Non dried chicken skat is very acidic. It should be dried for awhile before being used as compost of any type. It can't hurt to try, but just wanted to give you a heads up.

For the roosts, put the 2x4's horizontal so that the fat side is where they will roost. I am not sure where you live, but by doing this they keep their feet warm in cooler weather because they sit down on them.

Looking good and keep the pictures coming. When can you come build me another coop?

 

[PineRidge]

Pine,
The poop tray is a good idea that I have seen a lot of people do, it makes for much more time between coop cleanings.

Not sure that your grass idea will work. Non dried chicken skat is very acidic. It should be dried for awhile before being used as compost of any type. It can't hurt to try, but just wanted to give you a heads up.

For the roosts, put the 2x4's horizontal so that the fat side is where they will roost. I am not sure where you live, but by doing this they keep their feet warm in cooler weather because they sit down on them.

Looking good and keep the pictures coming. When can you come build me another coop?

Thanks for the advice on the roosts. I was going to turn the 2X4s on end but at this point I'll opt for your method. It gets below freezing here in the winter so that might keep the birds feet warmer or at least prevent frostbite.

How far from the wall should the roosts start and how far apart should the spacing be?

 

[Tororider]

I think you want to keep your roosts a foot from the wall and the stagger the a foot apart and a foot difference in height, like a ladder.

 

[dooleysm]

I definitely agree on the 2x4's with the 3.5" dimension horizontal. I have 2 6' roosts in my coop, about 5' off the ground. The chickens usually hop up on top of the nest boxes (maybe 3.5' off the ground) and then on to the roosts. My cousin has ladders in his coop leading to the nest boxes and the roosts. The chickens don't need them, but they will definitely use them.

The chickens will huddle together on the roosts, so as with the nest boxes, you probably won't need as much roost space as you think.

 

[PineRidge]

If you build it they will come.....

 

[DIRTROAD]

Mine can't even begin to compare.

 

[Tororider]

PineRidge,
Looks like a nice variety, what all did you get?

DirtRoad,
If it works that is all that matters. Personally I think it looks nice, where are the nest boxes though.

 

[DIRTROAD]

DirtRoad,
If it works that is all that matters. Personally I think it looks nice, where are the nest boxes though.[/QUOTE]

They are up under the roof part. (2nd floor) that's what the door is on the end, so I can just reach in and get the eggs.

 

[PineRidge]

Mine can't even begin to compare.

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View attachment 133141

I like your coop. Don't think I could get away with using poultry wire here though as we have many hungry racoons. I'm looking for 1"X1" welded wire fence fabrice. Anyone have a source?