Comments on: Chickenhouse progress http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/ Daily photo-journal of organic market gardening: growing local food with two acres and some tools...! Fri, 16 May 2008 23:27:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mike (tfb) http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22819 Mike (tfb) Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:14:40 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22819 <b>Blue Fox:</b> That sounds like a good idea. I'll keep it in mind once the chicken chores start up... Thanks! Blue Fox: That sounds like a good idea. I’ll keep it in mind once the chicken chores start up… Thanks!

]]> By: Blue Fox http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22776 Blue Fox Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:47:20 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22776 I've got a suggestion for you - build your nest boxes so you can insert a cardboard box to hold the bedding/sawdust/straw whatever, then when they get dirty, you just pull the box out, and pitch it into the burn pile or compost to get rid of crap and bugs (if any!) I’ve got a suggestion for you - build your nest boxes so you can insert a cardboard box to hold the bedding/sawdust/straw whatever, then when they get dirty, you just pull the box out, and pitch it into the burn pile or compost to get rid of crap and bugs (if any!)

]]> By: N. & J http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22519 N. & J Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:27:43 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22519 How cute is that donkey! N. http://badhuman.wordpress.com How cute is that donkey!

N.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com

]]> By: Exuberant Lady http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22437 Exuberant Lady Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:14:23 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22437 Jack is adorable! How lucky you are and how lucky he is to be in a secure setting with such TLC. I hope you never lose that urban eye looking out and ever treasure the wonder of it all. Best, Deborah Jack is adorable! How lucky you are and how lucky he is to be in a secure setting with such TLC. I hope you never lose that urban eye looking out and ever treasure the wonder of it all.
Best, Deborah

]]> By: Deborah http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22385 Deborah Fri, 04 Apr 2008 05:44:43 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22385 I think there is a whole new thread on nest box design here. I made the enclosed variety for my first chickens and yes they did roost on the roof of them and it was messy. My current chickens have the open design fixed to the wall (I can't get it off as it's been bolted, and now rusted solid), through the breeze block wall. It's also in a dark corner of the hen house so that's why it's used. The open boxes do stay cleaner but because my current chickens are much heavier than my earlier ones, some of them can't make it up to the boxes so lay on the floor. (It's 2 different hen houses I'm talking about too). I'm pondering building some enclosed, sloping roof boxes for use outside to facilitate egg collection and ensure that the birds don't roost in them overnight. At the moment though, as they have somewhere to lay, it's not top of my work list. One thing I will say is make sure you have a decent floor to the box. I was given a reclaimed set to use but when I got it home, I realised that the base board was chipboard and this had absorbed water and was growing mold. Also you need to be careful which wood treatments you use if you are going to treat the wood as some kill chickens. I think there is a whole new thread on nest box design here. I made the enclosed variety for my first chickens and yes they did roost on the roof of them and it was messy. My current chickens have the open design fixed to the wall (I can’t get it off as it’s been bolted, and now rusted solid), through the breeze block wall. It’s also in a dark corner of the hen house so that’s why it’s used.

The open boxes do stay cleaner but because my current chickens are much heavier than my earlier ones, some of them can’t make it up to the boxes so lay on the floor. (It’s 2 different hen houses I’m talking about too).

I’m pondering building some enclosed, sloping roof boxes for use outside to facilitate egg collection and ensure that the birds don’t roost in them overnight. At the moment though, as they have somewhere to lay, it’s not top of my work list.

One thing I will say is make sure you have a decent floor to the box. I was given a reclaimed set to use but when I got it home, I realised that the base board was chipboard and this had absorbed water and was growing mold. Also you need to be careful which wood treatments you use if you are going to treat the wood as some kill chickens.

]]> By: Jean Ann http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/02/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22376 Jean Ann Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:21:06 +0000 http://tinyfarmblog.com/2008/04/03/chickenhouse-progress/#comment-22376 Man, I sure would love to have a miniature donkey! Jealousy, pure and simple... Man, I sure would love to have a miniature donkey! Jealousy, pure and simple…

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