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Hi all. I have been working on my chicken tractor, and am putting in some DIY windows. They are just openings plunge cut into the paneling, with plexi/polycarbonate behind. Nothing fancy. All my ventilation is handled otherwise in the coop. One window will be a little above their roosting bar...

I got six Cream Legbar pullets that are a week old on Sunday from a breeder about an hour from me. Since Legbars are an english breed, I am calling them, collectively, "The Windsors". They are eating like pigs, drinking like ladies, and shoving each other around like barflies under the heat...

Hi all, I bought lumber and am starting to build a chicken tractor. It will be an A-frame style, with fully hardware cloth covered run. I am going to have an auto door on the roost area to keep the hens safe at night, but would like to add a little extra security to the run to discourage...

My barn coop build is on hold, as the owners of the barn (my folks) are getting it re-sided this year, so building a run onto the outside is not going to be feasible until after that is done. I am tempted to build a small tractor, about 5'x8', for 4 hens. I can move then around the barnyard...

Hi all, I am hoping to start a flock with hens and a rooster that will have sex link chicks. My original plan was to stay away from a RIR/New Hampshire rooster as red roosters have a rep for being more likely to be feisty. I was thinking of going with Barred Rocks and an Australorp Rooster, as...

Hi all, If I had a New Hampshire rooster with the following hens: 4 Salmon Faverolle 4 Cuckoo Marans 4 Plymouth Barred Rock 4 Cream Legbar I believe all of the chicks would be sex link. the Faverolles would have silver males and red females, and the Marans, Rocks, and Legbars would have black...

Hi all, I would like to have a flock that produces sex linked chicks, but probably will stay away from RIR roos, as they are more likely to be feisty. I was thinking Barred Rock hens and a Black Australorp rooster. In theory, this should be easy to distinguish the chicks' sex, but I have read...

Hello all, I have been back on the family farm for about 9 months, and am once again thinking about getting chickens. There is an old dairy barn here, that hasn't been used in decades, but water and electricity still run to it. I am tempted to build a nice big run outside onto a corner of the...

Hello all, I have seen a few people on this forum using trailer jacks with wheelbarrow wheels at the midpoint of the weight of their mobile coops, for ease of movement. Do those of you using a system like this have any trouble with the wheel being on a swivel on the stand? I could see how...

Hello, I have been thinking about ordering some Australorps a little later this spring, possibly from Mt. Healthy. I am looking for a good layer primarily, but also something that I could get a little meat from the extra males if I raise some chicks each spring. There is a breeder about two...

Hello all, Are any of you in the midwest and using electric poultry netting and a mobile coop? How much trouble do you have with hawks? I want to get a flock of 6-8 laying hens and a roo, and really like the idea of them having a large area to roam in spring summer and autumn while being...

Hello all, I have been researching a lot of different breeds for a dual purpose flock, about 8 hens and a rooster, that I want to establish this spring. After looking hard at Delawares and New Hampshires, I ultimately think a breed that is geared more towards laying will be a better fit for me...

Hello all, Is there an advantage of 48" high electric netting vs 42", from a predator deterance standpoint? Assuming I am working with heavier non flighty breeds, I think the 42" should be enough to keep the chickens in. Are there predators that can go over a 42", but a 48" will keep out?

Hello all, I am interested in thoughts on one of the aspects of this design. Does anyone use something similar to the livestock panels that fold down onto the ground to prevent animals from digging under the perimeter of the coop? I want to use a mobile coop with electric netting in the...

Hello all, New to the forum, and am looking for some ideas for a dual purpose breed. I am interested in eggs more than meat, but would like a breed that has reasonable potential as a meat bird. I hope to raise some chicks to sell, add to the flock, and butcher. I will be moving to the family...

Hello all, I am going to be moving to the family farm this spring and want to get chickens. Probably a flock of 12-18. I am mostly interested in eggs, but my parents, who own the farm, might be interested in raising a few birds for meat. That means I would have a little extra work, but they...