Now that the birds are going to have to spend all their time cooped up, they need more outdoor space. The coop is 8x10 and had an attached 8x8 attached run. This morning, we fenced in the space under the coop to more than double the run size. We also reinforced the run with another layer of chicken wire to help keep predators out.
Poor birds will only get to free range for a little while in the evenings before roosting-time and only if I'm out with them. This means our feed bill will go up considerably.
That looks a little redneck doesn't it? Tough, it's a chicken coop.
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteThats one fancy chicken coop!
Question from a guy who does not belong to PETA; Are the birds for breeding and eating or just as pets?
Side note; What elaborate design would have for a Bat house?
Hi Christopher, the hens are for the eggs. We'll eat the roosters. I may let them hatch a few eggs a year just to keep a good sized flock (plus the kids will love that). They are definitely a step toward self-sufficiency.
ReplyDeleteAs for the bats, hubby got up on the ladder last night around 9:30 and sealed up all the holes. I think we may have trapped some wee ones in there since I can hear movement. Should smell good in a few days. We've been having temps in the mid 90's and I would bet it reaches 120 in there.
Redneck, shmedneck: Chicken coops are cool.
ReplyDeleteSelf sufficiency is a good thing Kristin. The future is pretty uncertain right about now, especially with Obama's plans to destroy what little is left of the economy.
ReplyDeleteJust don't break an egg in the coup. That always weirded me out as a kid.
ReplyDeletelol, Trestin. Why?
ReplyDeleteTresin, I second Kristins' why? I wait with baited breath on the answer.
ReplyDeleteKristin,
ReplyDeleteMy Dad converted an old Dog kennel to a coup. He started raising chickens just this year. I would REALLY love to do so myself but I live in a subdivision. Err...don't think the neighbors would like me too well after that. :)
THP
3 hens, who would even know? They're pretty quiet. :P
ReplyDeleteI used to raise sheep as a kid in the burbs. Now I just have a big garden. I would love to raise chickens but my wife wouldn't have it.
ReplyDeleteChris, I think she'd be hooked. They are better than television.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else notice I'm like a drug dealer for poultry? Come on Chris and Ben, all the cool kids are doing it. The neighbors wouldn't even have to know.....
Kristin, I had a Rooster for a summer in my youth and the neighbors did not take kindly to it's morning call,,lol,,but still had a blast with 'Jeremiah'.
ReplyDeleteRooster-schmooster. Get hens.
ReplyDeleteMy little marans roo just started crowing. He's pitiful.
What happened to Jeremiah? Sunday dinner?
ReplyDeleteHey now Chris! I had a friend who lived in the burbs in Atlanta and had geese! You can have a couple hens. Really they're not that noisy. Throw in some ducks too! :P
ReplyDelete^ she works for me. Part of my poultry-pushing organization.
ReplyDeletemy ducks are "wild" but waddle to my front door at feeding time to remind me I need to get the food out. the drakes are the quiet ones, but the girls really send their calls on the winds.
ReplyDeletehens are much quieter than the ducks.
don't some communities allow backyard pets? and can't we find ways to have them anyway? shoot, even in California where everyone is watching out for everyone else, house pets (like pigs and miniature horses) happen in garages.
Oh definitely Gail! We have two ducks that are sitting on eggs, and one of them I've deemed "nutty". She's the loudest duck you've EVER seen! But the babies are the sweetest! :P
ReplyDelete