fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

Very calm scene with the older hens and the young roosters (technically cockerels).

 

[kcan2]

I got the cattle panels and lumber for the new hoop coop today, woo!
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A good friend is a blessing.

Here are the 4 I'll use for the build.
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I got 4 extra for trellises and other projects. The 16' PT 2x4's are too long to store in my shed, so I laid them on the spare panels, with support:
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I went searching in the shed for the hardware left over from the first hoop coop build. I organized as I searched so it should be easier to find what I need in the future.

Score!
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I've ordered extra zip-ties and fender washers, but I may have enough to get the hoop coop frame done. I would like to at least get the panels zip-tied together tomorrow, after church. We'll see...

Fuzzi you are amazing
Your flock looks both happy and busy, and completely unaware of the work they are inspiring!

 

[1muttsfan]

I would be concerned that the tap on the barrel might freeze up and crack. That is a big issue here with outdoor faucets, if they're not frost-free

 

[1muttsfan]

A pleasant 25 with some sun and some snow today, chickens are very happy to be out and scratching about.

 

[fuzzi]

I would be concerned that the tap on the barrel might freeze up and crack. That is a big issue here with outdoor faucets, if they're not frost-free

It generally doesn't get that cold for long here. I often don't remove my hoses during the winter,though we do wrap the faucets in old t-shirts and masking tape. This is the first year I have used faucet insulators, styrofoam covers that are snugged up against the siding.

 

[fuzzi]

It was a damp day, temperature didn't make it to 50° so I decided to forego coop work.

I am thinking of adding a solid material to the roosting end this time instead of a tarp. It's too damp here for OSB, and I am looking at another material that could block wind and wet without breaking the bank. T11 siding looks promising but it's almost as expensive as weather ready plywood .

But buried in the shed may be a solution...

It looks like a sheet of plywood, about 4'x6', with a 2x4 attached. Its probably one of my dh's incomplete projects. I'll dig it out later this week, see if it might work.

The end would be something like this but leaving the bottom 24" of the coop open to the air (with hardware cloth of course!).

Thinking... thinking...

 

[fuzzi]

Woo!

I've been getting 1 or 2 eggs daily, but erratically, for a couple months, often skipping days, too.

 

[NanaK]

It generally doesn't get that cold for long here. I often don't remove my hoses during the winter,though we do wrap the faucets in old t-shirts and masking tape. This is the first year I have used faucet insulators, styrofoam covers that are snugged up against the siding.

This is about all we do.

 

[Shadrach]

I would be concerned that the tap on the barrel might freeze up and crack. That is a big issue here with outdoor faucets, if they're not frost-free

I've probably misunderstood but there is such a thing as an outside tap that doesn't freeze?

 

[Molpet]

I've probably misunderstood but there is such a thing as an outside tap that doesn't freeze?

yes that is what I have. -27f and no issues