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

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

  1. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Thanks, I'm the same with troubleshooting, but except for the first summer (mites) they've been fine and it was me being a worry wart. That and the dog attack.
     
  2. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Got the coop cleaned and fresh shavings in today. What a relief! Snow due Tues. This will be our 11nth winter here, the latest first snow since we moved in here ~2013
     
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  3. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    Is this one of your's?
     

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    Last edited: Oct 27, 2024
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  4. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Coop winterized here as well- have a new heater to keep the water from freezing, we'll see how it does. 17°F tonight with heavy snow squalls- chickens warm and happy! Been boondocking for a few months, son running the homestead-
     
  5. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I've not seen any but would COOL if it was!
     
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  6. Biddleman

    Biddleman

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    What brand of heater are you using?

    I haven't winterized my coop yet. It's only gotten down to the mid 30s a few times so far. I did norice they're starting to roost a little closer to one another.
     
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  7. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Farm innovators c-250 submersible. I cannot speak if it's quality yet.
     
  8. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :popcorn:

    Doggie was barking tonight while kiddo was jumping on the tramp in the dark, didn't bother as doggie gets the barking zoomies when she jumps and races around the tramp and yard.

    Doggie didn't come in with kiddo but her Halo collar Warner said she was right here. She was in the chicken run! (chickens were locked in their predator proof coop). The chicken wire was pulled in up high in a couple spots, seems a racoon was in there and climbed up. Anyway. we found doggie , and fence repair for the chicken run tomorrow.

    (The weak chicken wire is not dog/predator deterrent but way to keep chickens contained, our dog does not kill chickens thankfully.)
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2024
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  9. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Molting is pretty much done, rooster had new feathers coming in. 1 egg in the last 2 weeks. :eek: One
     
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  10. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I tried to zip tie the chicken run to repair today, bummer, the bulk pack of little zip ties I bought are junk. The little tab thing that catches the ridges broke off in 2/3 of every one I tried and the ones that did not snap off barely gripped the ridges. So, it's temporary but worked for now to keep them contained.

    For sure something went on in there last night. Older heavier broken zip ties on the ground, extra chicken wire on the roof loose, the human door to chicken run is tweaked/bent and hard to unlatch/latch. Chicken wire pulled inwards is one thing but this must have come from dog telling the coon to take a hike. Lock the coop early again tomorrow night and Saturday try again with bigger cheap zip ties and hope they work. I have garbage bag twisties last resort.
     
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  11. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    I have both of these. I find countless uses for them around the yard. The thinner stuff has a handy wire cutter. The thicker, you need a wire cutter. Make your "twist ties" as long as needed.

    Screenshot_20241115-044448_Firefox.jpg

    Screenshot_20241115-044526_Firefox.jpg
     
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  12. billb3

    billb3

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    Screen Shot 2024-11-15 at 10.11.21 AM.png
    I use that on tomato cages and some other frames in the garden and "things around the yard". It doesn't break down in the sun like plastic does and last for decades, maybe longer. I used to save bread ties but they break down in the weather, too.
     
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  13. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Thank you, my "garbage bag twisties" are actually a spool like that, but NOT heavy duty. I'll see if I can order some. I have a lot of aquaruim tubing from before, and also marine speaker wire spools. I'll have to knot those though. Just thinking...
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2024
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  14. Biddleman

    Biddleman

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    Trying to figure out what's going on with my chickens. Out of 9 hens. Im getting 1 egg every other day. Its the same chicken because she lays green eggs. 4 of the hens are 2 year old, and 2 of those girls are molting, so I know Im not going to get eggs from those 2. The other 2, I have no idea why.
    The 5 others were peeps this past spring and the 1 egg layer is one of them.
    I haven't changed food or offer them more scratch or treats than normal. I looked for mites and lice, nothing there.
    I guess its the shorter days. But the older birds still layed throughout winter last year.
    Weird part is I'll hear the "egg song" and look everywhere and nothing there.
     
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  15. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I have the exact thing here! Almost every point you made including my older hen's previous laying year round. Their molt is over a few weeks now.
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2024 at 4:17 PM
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  16. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Research your feed, the box stores have been back to manipulating the feed. Also the shorter days could be the cause.

    I've been mixing in wild bird seeds to help mitigate this. Considering going back to the local feed store for the more expensive stuff.

    Also check that the chickens don't have yolk face (eating their eggs)
     
  17. LCBug

    LCBug

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    The 4 older hens won't lay as many eggs their second season but those eggs should be larger than the first season. It also usually takes longer for them to get back laying after a molt. Your pullets, if not one of the high production breeds, could take up to 7-8 months to start laying. The granddaughter's hens, which are mostly colored egg layers, are taking longer to come into lay than the production hens and they lay fewer eggs. The lack of daylight is the main reason for egg production dropping this time of year. Hens need 14+ hours of light to keep going although I hear a few breeds do better than others through the winter. You can also try upping the protein they get using linseed or fish meal. If you have a feedmill try their mash or see if you can purchase one of the meals to mix in with their regular feed. For the last 15 or so years I've fed a custom mix but the smallest batch the mill will mix is 500 lbs, maybe not feasible for some. The last batch I picked up is the winter ration, extra protein and alfalfa meal for good looking yolks. This is what I feed all the birds, after a month on starter crumbles. Doesn't matter if it's meat birds, turkeys, quail, or laying hens. No soy, no corn, it's what my customers want.
     
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  18. Biddleman

    Biddleman

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    Great info LCBug. I'll stop in the mill I get my feed. Right now it's Nutrena. I did see they posted that they have a new feed. Don't know specifics.
    I miss them free ranging.
     
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  19. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Appreciate your info too! My pullets are just over 8 months now. I figured they should be laying because they are now hanging with the rooster when free ranging and I thought I saw the red ones squat, I'll wait longer. Meanwhile hope to get a different brand food and some wild game feed to see if that helps.
     
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