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Barnyard Buddies:  Old Fashioned Coop Raising!  |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 08:11:10 AM
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Good morning, sisters! So, we've got this 10x30 shed that we plan to build out to be a chicken coop. I get my chicks next week and I'll need to have it done in about a month (I should've had it done already, but such is life). My mom had this great idea to have an old fashioned barn raising, but instead of raising a barn we'd raise a chicken coup. I think it's genius and sounds like so much fun!! We'll provide food, ice tea, lemonaid, and all materials. Of course, we would make it clear that you're invited whether you're able to help or not...just come and hang out, chat & drink ice tea! Those who aren't carpenters can paint if they like! I love the idea and about to make invitations. Had to share because it's a perfect opportunity to spread the farmgirl spirit!
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
Edited by - FarmGirlonPark on Jul 15 2011 1:10:28 PM |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 08:18:04 AM
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Hi Kelda. Welcome to MJF. That is a great idea. What kind of chicks are you getting? ANd how many? I am trying to sell some little game chicks that just hatched. Also had 3 Buff chicks to hatch too but I will be keeping them. They are so cute. Anyway, let us know how the coop raising goes. Sounds like fun. If I lived there I'd come help.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 08:27:26 AM
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Thanks for asking because I LOVE to talk about them!!
I ordered a Buff Bantam, a Partridge Cochin, a Salmon Faverolles, a Buff Orpington, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Golden Laced Wyandotte and a White Silkie Bantam. They're coming from www.mypetchicken.com.
I'll keep you posted!!
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2011 : 9:29:51 PM
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Meet the girls...got (all of) them last week (right on schedule)...healthy and adorable. Their names are Velma, Bula, Daphne, Fanny, Fancy, Goldie and Sassy. Ginger, the non-chick, thinks she has a new litter. Very sweet.
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2011 : 06:16:29 AM
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well i sure think chicks are one of the cutest babies. it looks like mama wants to be with her brood. how fun for you.happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2011 : 1:41:42 PM
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I found the chicken coop of my dreams! The shed I've got can easily be transformed into something similar...inspired!
Kudos and thank you to the Fancy Farmgirl!
http://www.thefancyfarmgirl.com/heres-the-coop/
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Aug 08 2011 : 2:22:39 PM
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Holy Moly - now that is one fancy coop! I'm glad she was honest about the...um, poop issue, because I was looking at it thinking there is NO WAY my coop would look like that longer than an hour! :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2011 : 1:12:43 PM
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Ok ladies,
I need some help thinking of a solution...
I've been converting a section of my old shed into a chicken coop. The section is "wired" off with hardware cloth and before it was open so I added a door to the outside also. So there's about 9x16 feet left that my dog normally likes to hang out in and it's where she spends her nights. Unfortunately, now that I've made it safe, she can't get in. :( Originally I was thinking I would just lock the door at night and let her out in the a.m. when I feed and water the girls but I don't think she's going to like being trapped in there all night.
I would welcome any ideas on how I can allow her in (through a dog door, etc.), and let her come and go somewhat freely, but most importantly keep the racoons out. As I type this, I can't imagine how I might do that, but I thought maybe some of you creative thinkers could come up with something.
Thanks in advance for your brain energy on this one!
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2011 : 2:10:25 PM
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WOW, that's some coop! Personally, I've got to much to do to keep a coop like that clean. But if she enjoys it, more power to her. :) I LOVE the idea of a coop raising. Did you do it??? I love the whole idea of neighbors and friends getting together and doing projects together. Like the old days when neighboring farmers helped each other harvest, put up barns, made quilts etc and they all enjoyed the company and made everything a party. This is why I love going to brandings because it's a great big day of fellowship and food mixed with back breaking work.
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Aug 19 2011 : 10:04:17 PM
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i know money is tight for all. i think you can buy a collar and dog door that unlocks. the collar releases the door latch. after the dog passes through the door locks it self. only the collar will open it. not sure on price. i would think they are spendy but useful. just throwing ideas. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2011 : 04:44:14 AM
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Well, I finished the coop enough last night to move the chicks out. I still have some work to do but nothing major. I may have been worried for nothing about Ginger because I shut her in the other part of the shed last night and this morning when I went out she just greeted me with a smile and a wag. She went out to the yard to potty and came right back in and sat with me in the "mini barn". It's a relief that she didn't struggle all night to get out.
Thank you so much for the info about the collar/dog door - I didn't know about those and may end up needing it if this starts not working out, so I appreciate it!
At long last, here are the (nearly) before and (almost) after pictures of my coop. Like I said, it's not completely done, and it certainly doesn't look as glamourous as Fancy Farmgirl's coop, but I think it turned out pretty good...especially since it's the first thing I've ever built in my life! Carpentry badge...here I come!!! I also used mostly repurposed wood, unused wood that people donated to my cause and stuff from the Habitat for Humanity Restore.
The "Old Fashioned Coop Raising" didn't happen, which is sad because I think it was a great idea. The only reason it didn't is because I didn't know what I was doing enough to get the materials together ahead of time. I just gathered stuff as I went along and, because that's the way God works, it just seemed to show up when I needed it. Pretty amazing, really...but maybe a fall party to celebrate it's completion? :)
Before:
After:
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
Edited by - FarmGirlonPark on Aug 31 2011 08:26:16 AM |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 31 2011 : 12:58:58 PM
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Well that looks great. You did that yourself? You and Karen both are amazing and did such cute coops. It inspires me to get out and do mine. I want to make a run area for mine so they won't be all over the yard and gardens. And those chicks have really grown too. Good job!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2011 : 09:44:32 AM
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Thanks! I got a bit of help in the beginning with figuring out how to attach the floor boards to the garage foundation on the right side, and my daughter helped me hold the wire in place while I screwed in the boards but other than that it was a solo job. It was what I needed, too...such a sense of accomplishment! Currently I'm working on the run (8x16, 6'5 tall) and it's coming along nicely. Probably going to put together some benches for chicken watching, too. :)
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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FarmGirlonPark
Farmgirl in Training
30 Posts
Kelda
Des Moines
Iowa
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2011 : 07:39:01 AM
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I'm happy to report that the run is done!!! My girls just love being outside, and when I pop their little hatch in the morning they go right out but they still don't get how to go back inside when it starts getting dark. I can tell they're concerned when it gets dark...they make more, louder, strange clucks, my silkie was trying to get under the others and Daphne came over to me and tried to climb the wall to get out. They were obviously very nervous and I sat out there waiting for them to go back in the coop, but nope...so of course we went into the run, picked each one up and put them through their little door into their coop. We had even made sure their coop was lit up so they would "move into the light" but with no luck. Is this normal?? ....I'd hate to have to demonstrate to the chickens how to do it by squeezing through their little door...LOL...just kidding. ; ) But seriously, any suggestions are welcome!
God Bless & Happy Trails!
Kelda
Farmgirl on Park |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2011 : 09:13:38 AM
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Kelda, I always throw their feed inside the coop. They will go in then. Try throwing some through the little door and they might go after it. Mine will follow me anywhere for their feed. I look like the Pied Piper in the evenings with all my chickens following me back to the coop for the night. Or you could be inside and call them through the door. Just make sure they know that's where their feed is. They should go back in. Once they realize that's how to do it, they will get the hang of it real fast. Good luck!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Old Fashioned Coop Raising! |
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Old Fashioned Coop Raising!
