Recent content by jreardon1918

I think Amazon. And I would think, it was the way I installed them, that is the issue. When the warmer weather comes, I will add a sliding side door. That will make it easier for shorter people to reach in.

Today is 3/11/2024. We are just short of 7 years into our backyard chickens. over the years we have had between 3 - 12 hens. Just went over 6,000 eggs. Including building a $1,200 coop + feed and other expenses. We are now down to $5 per dozen. I have not sold a single egg. But, my...

That is a sturdy MHP. And for my next attempt I can see how I could incorporate a more solid frame and some of the excellent suggestions you have received. The chicks will want to touch the surface of the MHP. Bottom and top. Multiple egress options are important to prevent getting...

Our last few experiences with brooding were all done outside in the coop run. We used a MHP. We got lows in the upper teens at night. No losses. The chicks did well, no mess in the house. The MHP is roughly the temperature of a real Momma Hen.

Yes to the garage. Yes to completely outdoors. We are neighbors. I live in the shadow of Gillette Stadium. Our last few broods have all been done outdoors using just a MHP. We have done March& April. I recall last year while they were a week old it was in the twenties a couple nights...

I think your build looks great. I found a picture of what I was think for the nest box doors. Where you have overhangs for the roof. I think you could incorporate something like this in you build and make it waterproof. Again, YMMV.

Nice large overhangs.

I have a rather heavy egg door that opens the way you show. I ended up adding gas pistons. Still I wish I had done a front door. You could consider a front door. Maybe a sliding door. If the overhang is large enough I think it would be watertight. This type door would also allow easier...

I use paper towels in a cardboard box for just a couple days. Then the chicks and their MHP (Momma Heating Pad) go to the outdoor brooder. Where the bedding is the same shavings, leaves, pine needles, dirt that is the floor of their run. It works great.

Where are you located (region)? It could just be a light issue. Here in NE USA, we have about 10.5 hours of light per day. Back late in November I started a lighting program to add morning light. The girls come out by 5 AM. That effectively increases their waking hours to 12 hours per day...

That is me being careless when I type. It should have read "Stock Tank Heater". I really need to proof before hitting send. This the one I currently use.

I too doubt the height is an issue. A couple years ago I had one really big hen. I placed a couple 16" logs in the coop close to the roosts. Occasionally I spot hens jumping to the logs and then on to the roost. I have also seen that in reverse. I think the logs also provide a small amount of...

Adding light does help. My 4 pullets & 8 hens all slowed to their laying as follows. eggs in: September = 167 October = 84 November = 54 December = 27 January 1-12 = 54 I started the lighting program on 11/23/2023. The lights come on at 4:30 am each morning. They turn off just after...

I know it is late in the game. You might consider putting access to the egg boxes from the side. I have the same general setup. The roof door is heavy. It also makes it difficult for little ones to help collect the eggs. At some point I will put the egg door(s) more like this.

This is exactly what I do. The gardens do very well.