Natural is Better
Most chicken keepers realize the value of non-commercial poultry operations. Large numbers of birds kept in isolation or, conversely, packed by the hundreds into sheds, just doesn't make sense. Chickens need space and a few other chickens to call friend. We know, a natural...
Step 4: Finishing the exterior
We put cap pieces on the corners to cover the gaps where the panels meet. This will help keep more cold air out and gives it a nice finishing touch. In the first picture, you can see the yard gate attached to the corner. The gate slides up and down so it can be...
Step 2: Putting up the tin
We happened across a stash of 25 20ft tin roofing panels that were left over from when we reroofed the barn about 15 years ago. This allowed us to avoid needing to purchase plywood for the sides. We were so excited with this find that we didn't stop to think that we...
Step 3: The inside
The inside of the coop is divide into 2 sections. These sections are seperated by the inner screen door and a wall of wire to allow ventilation. When the windows are open fresh air will blow through the entire coop. (We are waiting till Spring to cut panels into the bottom of...
Step 1: The framing
We started with an old hay wagon that we couldn't use because the axel wasn't street legal. We cut holes in the bed of it for the 4 corner posts, 4x4s that we salvaged from an old dog yard on the property. After adding a few 2x4s (left over from building the riding arena) for...
Welcome to the Coop Library!
We decided early on that chickens, especially Literary Ladies and Bookish Boys, deserve adventures and grass- two things they just can’t get stuck in a stationary coop. To that end, we designed a traveling home for these oh-so-special birds. So now, when the chickies...
i sold mine for $4/lb and didn't have problems getting what i asked. mine were also pastured on non-organic feed that was specifically blended locally. i was only selling to friends and family though, so i don't know if that price would be competitive amongst other buyers.
is anyone interested in adopting a Tufted Roman gander of unknown age? my poor Ricky is all alone again after some predator killed all his Silkie friends and he's driving my mother crazy squawking all the time out of boredom and loneliness. i really don't want to get rid of him, but i feel bad...
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there isn't a really well established market that i'm aware of, unfortunately, except some horse/cattle sales which are kind of dubious. i too am wanting to get into sheep for lamb, but the market is really small right now. the only place i can find lamb regularly is The Market here in...
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not in Knoxville, but out in Maryville (about 30 mins away). there are several of us E TN folks all within about 45 mins of each other.
Oak Ridge does a lot of nuclear research but it's all pretty safe. everything dangerous is buried deep underground and encased in specially designed...
i think he's pretty set on the silver-laced, especially since there are several hatcheries that sell them if he can't find them locally. i will definitely pass on the message about the Barnies though!
eta: do you, or will you in the near future, have any Delaware hens about POL for sell...
good to see everyone is alive after all this horrible snow! i hate it. be gone! the birds don't really seem to care though.
so, a chicken friend who is NOT tech savy asked me to have a look around for a whole bunch of fancy bantams he wants. he's getting rid of his LF and going banty "cause...
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i have still haven't used a Top Bar (but they do interest me), so i can't speak to that side of the issue, but we've raised bees "organically" for years and years in Langstroth hives. i don't feel like one hive structure is really any more suited to "organic" than the other, but that...
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we got one of those at the kitchen supply store at the Tanger outlet. it wasn't the cute chicken shape, but it works well. it looks like they have the one you wanted on Amazon though.
there is a great bit in Victorian Farm (which is wonderful and totally worth watching) on Victorian beekeeping. the video is here- the bee bit starts around 5:40.
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don't take it personally, it tells almost everyone that! i have friends that are MOST DEF not overweight and it's still basically called them porkers!
apparently the Japanese original version was even harsher!
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none of mine have heat since they are out in fields or the far end of the yard and nowhere near an electrical outlet. if you can keep the wind off them they should be fine. my Silkies (who live with the goose) have a whole bale of hay down in their 8ft x 8ft pen (made out of chain link...
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HAHAHA! he probably thinks he's in heaven then- my big roos and the older hens gave him a decent amount of run around. he's probably thinking that a bit of peace and quiet, with the future prospects of his own harem of hens, is the greatest thing EVER.