In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Homesteading Chicken Coop Build, Chickens, Pond, Garden & Projects

Discussion in 'Hobbies and Interests' started by Well Seasoned, Mar 25, 2018.

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  1. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Sweet! Such fun having chickens! So fun to watch!
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  2. Sugarbug87

    Sugarbug87

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    We check on them a lot. Haha.
    FatBoy85 gets up before the sun and he had already gone down and checked on them by the time I was up. Haha.
     
    Sugarbug87, Apr 11, 2020
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  3. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Definitely new territory for me but I’ve built a chicken coop with a friend so that sort of thing isn’t so new. Plenty of lumber and all that here so I’ve been damm near ranting at Sugarbug87 about those coop plans. Will scour here a bit too. Anyone use that hog paneling besides the average chicken wire?
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 11, 2020
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  4. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Amen it is! Like watching fire too!
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 11, 2020
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  5. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    I would go with hardware cloth. Weasels can get very small when they want to. Any gap larger than 1/2" leaves the chance open for attacks.
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  6. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    We may end up using both, chance of the bigger animal may scratch through that hardware cloth. Luckily we have lots.
     
    FatBoy85, Apr 11, 2020
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  7. Meche_03

    Meche_03

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    Youngest got some new chickens a few weeks ago. About time for them to travel outside to the coop. Coop needs to be expanded for all the birds. IMG_20200411_135059524.jpg
     
    Meche_03, Apr 11, 2020
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  8. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    It's pretty rugged stuff. I can see a bear being able to rip it down, but not anything else. Of course their could be cheaper gauge stuff out there so maybe. We went with the welded galvanized stuff.

    We're surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of acres, so our main predators thus far have been mostly fox, but also Fisher cats, coyotes, bobcats, weasels, bear (likely the feed) and birds of prey. Attacks have only been successful when they are free ranging.

    Keep us posted! :yes:
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  9. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Cool, yea they look about ready. Keep the pics coming! :)
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  10. DaveGunter

    DaveGunter

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    I really like this waterer, no trough to clean out, water stays clean. This one screws into the spout, they make another that you drill a hole in a bucket, that one is supposed to work in freezing temps.
     

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    DaveGunter, Apr 11, 2020
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  11. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Boy your birds is getting big.... looking good. I like that waterer...:yes:
     
    Chvymn99, Apr 11, 2020
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  12. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    What variety do you have in there? Looks like a wide variety... Looking good! :handshake:
     
    Chvymn99, Apr 11, 2020
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  13. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    On my layers I just use like the 2 x 4 welded fence on the side & on top... It keeps all of my predators out. Unless they dig under or find other ways to get in.... but both of those issues have been addressed for the time being.... now my chicken tractor will have like Well Seasoned suggested, 1/2” square. Mine I think is like 19 gauge welded wire. Correction.... my chicken tractor will have 1” x 1” wire... image.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2020
    Chvymn99, Apr 11, 2020
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  14. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    They’ll be a nice treat for the kids.... as far as coons go...:headbang::headbang::headbang:... been there done that... Good luck & keep the pictures coming...

    Yea... it’s crazy. I talked to my bird guy Thursday. He’s suppose to have another batch coming in the middle of May. So I’ll be getting some of those for layers. What variety did you get?
     
    Chvymn99, Apr 11, 2020
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  15. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    That is very cool, and I've never seen it until now.

    The freezing temps is another story.... but maybe. The light bulb in a 1/2 cinder block over a paver with a thermostat works good here.
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  16. DaveGunter

    DaveGunter

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    I sprang for a submersible heater with a thermostat, its 150w, think that will be enough?...we get down to -10 on occasion, but that's about it.
     
    DaveGunter, Apr 11, 2020
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  17. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    I’ve seen on several of the YouTube videos doing aquarium heaters... maybe that makes sense, since it’s a insulated cooler?

    I see that he answered that question already... but I’ll leave it up, Incase it fits someone else bill....
     
    Chvymn99, Apr 11, 2020
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  18. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    You'll just have to see. When it's really cold, I just bring the water in the house overnight. They have their water & feed in their run, (not in the coop) and don't come off the roosts until sun up, or out until I open their door....so not a big deal.
     
    Well Seasoned, Apr 11, 2020
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  19. DaveGunter

    DaveGunter

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    Here's the ones that just go on a bucket. I think the spigot part of the other one will freeze hanging out from the cooler like it does.
     

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    DaveGunter, Apr 11, 2020
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  20. dahmer

    dahmer

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    Going to build a new coop this year and wife and I aren’t sure what we want. Can you guys and gals post some pics of your coops to give us ideas? Thanks.
     
    dahmer, Apr 12, 2020
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