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Barnyard Buddies:  New Chicks and Coop  |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 10:29:37 AM
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First I want to say, that I HIGHLY recommend using the http://www.backyardchickens.com/ website, it's amazing! Huge amount of info there! Here's my story so far...
We have just started building our first chicken coop! Since we do organic gardening/some permaculture on our city lot in Boise, I really have wanted to do this for a while. Finally talked my husband Dave into it. My goal was to recycle and buy as little as possible. We had a "garage" for our previous recycling bins outside, but the city changed and now we can mix it all. Since it was nice and sturdy, 4x4's, nice siding, plastic roof, etc. my hubby (who initially HATED the idea) suggested we convert it, great idea! The coop is about 80% complete: re-used some leftover cedar picket fencing for the nesting area floor and back (will line w/plastic chicken netting), scrap wood, took doors off front of garage to re-use as the walls, will add lower and side run areas.
The main coop area with the nesting boxes is pretty weather tight, 1/2" wood, with the floor having slats for ventilation. I may cover the netted area with plastic for more heat retention in the winter. If needed, I can run a cord out with a bulb. Other Boise folks said they don't add extra heat, just add more straw for extra insulation. Will keep an eye on, it's dry here, little snow here (except randomly) and sunny a lot in the winter. We will also build a seperate "tractor/run" to move around the yard. We'll build a pvc hoop or rectangle area with netting.
Our 2 new "girls"- a "Pru"- a Plymouth Barred Rock/Black Sex Linked, "Sarah"- Red Sex Linked (we think)are busy growing in our spare bedroom. They have all fallen asleep in my hands, so sweet. I bought 3, but had to take it back as it was mis-ID'd, breed wise and not a good choice for a small area.
Some pics so far-
coop/house in progress:
inside, with roost and slatted cedar fencing/floor-
our 2 girls!:
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 9:38:17 PM
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New girl #3, A Rhode Island Red, only RRI survived being shipped to the store. What a fuzzball, no name yet. I think Molly Brown?
Be the change... |
Edited by - nancypo on Apr 03 2010 10:08:15 PM |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2010 : 9:59:43 PM
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soo cute Nancy!! Love that name!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2010 : 07:20:38 AM
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I love Molly Brown. I will get my chicks when I get home from Sacramento in late April, I have been saving the name Gladys for one of the chicks. Yours are so cute!
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Farmgirl #680! |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2010 : 10:07:51 PM
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Molly didn't make it, but now have an older chick "Rosie" and added a mirror, what fun!
Be the change... |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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dawnm
True Blue Farmgirl
92 Posts
Dawn
Blueridge Mts
Va
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2010 : 9:46:33 PM
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Awww, so cute. Wish I had mine. Dawn
"though an old man yet, I am a young gardener." Thomas Jefferson |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2010 : 9:43:14 PM
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They're enjoying the new pine shavings floor, scratching and having a blast!
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2010 : 9:43:42 PM
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I'm excited, we're almost done with our portable tractor/run, should finish tomorrow, will post pics. THEN I can take the girls outside for a short time. Still pretty cool out...
Be the change... |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2010 : 07:23:26 AM
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the mirror idea is great.lol so very cute. good for you
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 8:23:32 PM
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Here's an update- chicks are much bigger, My husband Dave and I starting our portable chicken tractor/run made from eletrical pvc he got wholesale from his store. PVC glue is so much fun, er! Works great so far! It is about 5' long x 2 1/2' wide x 2 1/2' high, my design size for max use of materials. Covered with mesh and a roof (in background, green plastic from SHIP, a used building materials store). FINISHED!!! Lightweight (about 10 lbs.), weather proof, durable, with roost and shelter from sun and rain. Area for food/water and maybe a mirror!
Well, I added a fresh coat of paint today to coop in progress, painted the 2x2's for the front edge, added the black vent for some light and ventilation, nesting walls are in, back wall all done. We should be done tomorrow, hopefully. Will add a front door frame, netting, ladder and house roost door. I must say I love the opening roof, my idea! Chicks are all out this afternoon enjoying the warm (70!) spring afternoon. They're really enjoying themselves!
 new tractor/run!
 enjoying the 70 degree day!
 Coop almost done!
Be the change... |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 08:34:51 AM
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What a great little house, cant wait to see it completed! I purchased my ladies from Dunlaps, here in Caldwell, I originally bought 10 ladies, 1 roo, 2 guineas and 3 ducks, what the heck was I thinking. 1 of the gals died on Christmas day, I felt bad cos I never even named her, another one, Henny Penny died yesterday. Unknown causes for each, no obvios signs of trauma for either, I wonder if they fly into something, bumping their heads and....anyway, I pick up 5 more May 25.
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 10:24:06 AM
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I got mine from Zamzow's, although their sales people at the State st. store didn't know what they were selling me, breed-wise, but it turned out okay. I lost the 3rd chick, she was too stressed or sick during shipping, only one of 3 in the batch that made it alive to the store, not a good sign. So I got #4, Rosie, the one breed I really wanted- a Rhode Island Red....
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2010 : 9:09:10 PM
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Almost done, just some hardware cloth to add and then done. The girls are getting big!!!
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 2:27:44 PM
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The girls new pics- and I realized "Pru" is a black sex link when I saw more brown feathers growing in-
The other two Sarah, bigger, and Rosie-
Be the change... |
Edited by - nancypo on Apr 25 2010 2:31:12 PM |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 4:21:53 PM
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It's all DONE!!!
It's all done except for some "eye bolts" so I can access the panel on the left. Both larger hardware cloth panels can be easily removed (by people) for cleaning, etc. Both roofs open for easy cleaning/access, I decided to use the hardware cloth front and back/low for protection. The ladder can be raised during the day for more floor space, and the metal strut on the top inside for hanging the big feed/water troughs. I haven't decided if I want to put a door at the top of the ladder or not. I might for the winter... and I'm not done DECORATING IT YET! I might add a micro-window box with flowers for the girls, ahhhhhhhhhh........
I think it came out pretty good for a re-invented recycle bin garage
Be the change... |
Edited by - nancypo on Apr 25 2010 4:22:24 PM |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 4:58:06 PM
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So what do you think???
Be the change... |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 5:28:02 PM
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Great job Nancy, I love it!! How do the girls like it?
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2010 : 7:09:38 PM
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It's still tooo cold at night right now (30's) but they should be out in the next couple of weeks, depending on the weather. They spent the day out in the portable tractor/run though and loved it!
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2010 : 8:10:18 PM
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They should be heading out this weekend, if heat's needed will do. They are getting BIG!!!
Be the change... |
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nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2010 : 5:30:04 PM
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Girls in the coop! The two sections melded together-
Be the change... |
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Barnyard Buddies: New Chicks and Coop |
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New Chicks and Coop
