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2020 coup project coming together nicely
Sandman
Senior Member
Comments
i also love the barrel ....did you have to drink all the contents before you started ?
how are all your chooks now?
x Kath
The barrel was a "side of the road" find... did a little reinforcement in order to cut the hole.. but its really neat and the ladies like to sit inside of it from time to time.
I'm thinking of adding a second entrance to the run.. higher up with a ramp system with added perches or goody tables.
they like to perch up in the roof and rafters so a second exit might make it a little easier to navigate inside...trying to address them jumping down on each other or breaking a leg.. but mostly to add an element of fun and interest. Maybe a balcony!! lol. Split Staircase!!! chicken mansion!
xKath
Seriously Kath - you should patent that idea! I bet Sandman could build one...
Show and Tell??
I was looking at a maggot farm system.. but the "stink" scares me a bit!! but meal worms... clean and stink free!
hope you and hubby are feeling lots better now xx
Kath
As for the mealworm fountain; think chocolate fountain but with mealworms. Only for very posh coops like yours though Sandman!
I think we are going with a two story idea.. lower floor will have a covered run and an interior ceiling to separate the new girls from the 4 month old ladies.
The new upper door will service the second floor.
All of this is temporary but the new door system.. how long do you suppose it'll take to fully integrate the new girls?
https://imgur.com/a/64vV9D1
as long as the little ones are able to run and hide from any attacks they will be fine but make sure theres more than one feeding station so everyone gets a chance to eat in peace and if theres bullying at bedtime try putting the younger ones to bed a good while before the older girls
youve got them visible to each other and you havent mentioned any attempts at attacks between the barricades so they may just gel easily for you . good luck xx
Kath
Yes visibility is the goal but we are also considering going free range for the big girls..
I've been seeing a few posts on FB that have included Roo damage to the ladies... I'm a little concerned for having a Roo in an enclosed run without a break or an escape.. I'd hate to be dealing with damaged girls.
2nd "NEW" issue... with the new ladies.. we have another rooster... handsome little bugger.. but again.. another roo. He's a Welsummer so you know he's going to be lovely.
He started to stand out right away and I've buried my head in the sand hoping to be wrong. His Large comb is already huge, at three weeks old?? thats crazy!
3rd... New Roo is fast!! he chased down a wasp that got into the brooding area and got stung on his comb.. it was already large but now it's swollen and huge..
Tough birds!! size ratio to sting has got to be terrible.. he shook his head a bit but is right back at life as tho nothing happened.
So, tonights question...
We are thinking of going "free range" the plan is to let them out late in the afternoon. We are thinking 5pm.. so they don't wander too far on the first time.
I'm wondering your thoughts on this plan.
So many good reasons to go free range and the best reason is... we could have more chickens!!
as for roo damage , very often a roo will pick a favourite and tread her more than the others no matter where they are kept . easy solution is a poultry saddle . also roos tend to not be as active in the colder months and when they are moulting so you may only have a problem with overtreading in the sprtingtime
good luck with the intergration
x kath
Secondly - I don't do roos!
hope youre all better now helen
xx kath
They have meet the new girls through a fence and they seem super interested! The new girls are no longer weary of the larger ladies but with a separation.. there is no reason.. It's a beginning I guess.
As for the roosters.. our super sweet Orpington is getting loud and frequent.. we did find someone that may take him and allow him to live out his days on a farm with a large flock... "If" he becomes more than we expect.
Chicks are not in the coop yet. We are going to skip the separation in the run and get the big girls out first thing in the AM.. then pen the new arrivals until they acclimate to the new diggs.
Thanks again for all the advice!!