Perch query ! (length vs width of coop).

[RichmondHens]

He's got serious chicken fever!

[chris]

looks sturdy enough. cant wait to see photos of its occupants too!

Yes, I was quite surprised at how sturdy it was really - mind you I did use a lot of screws to make sure it didn't fall apart like my first attempt at making one heh. Thanks for the advice on the ply + screws

Wow - you don't hang around do you...looking good! Also nice to know you can 'boil' your hen house if needed! ;-)

Polo

I need to get it done, as fast as I patch up any holes in the converted bike shed with silicon, I find half of it dangling out of a certain chickens mouth! She must have a thing for worms? - but it bothered me as the wind really does drive at the door, as it's not totally draft proof.. plus it's falling to bits - but the main concern is that I can create them a run area that's big enough for me not to stress leaving them in for a day, or even for a weekend if we go away. Raising it up like you've suggested too means that they can go under there, for no lost space + a good spot to hang the food!

He's got serious chicken fever!

I know :/ You all said it'd happen and I was certain it wouldn't happen! I don't even know why, but I really do fancy a couple of bantams. I'd really like a cuckoo maran bantam - again don't know why. Just do. Grr !! I hate you lot! Infact, do you REALISE how much this forum has cost me?

[chris]

Well, looks like I'm going to have to build a nestbox on the outside.. I didn't realise my magpie was so large - I've had to lower the perch and build a frame to raise the roof up higher! But have had an idea on how to fix the perch without using batons, but still being removable. Shall report back with photos if it works properly!

[chris]

Some updated pics:

Magpie being a guinea pig:


Checking nestbox hole size... needs making larger


Yup, she doesn't look too impressed...


Holes made larger, nestbox hole (closest) is going to have to be doubled I think, as I didn't think about a nestbox separator.. Frame on top for the roof's frame to be placed on once covered in mesh:

[Suechooks]

Chris - for the perch rest I use a 4" square piece of ply with a bit cut out for the perch to slot in and just screw it to the wall . Simples!
Easy to remove &/or creosote/spray behind it.

[chris]

I did similar in my current coop (3 separate bits though, to create a U shape for it to slot into) - although I'm limited by that nestbox door now - argh! bad planning.. but I've seen some wide L-angle brackets and then slot one on that, then two either side!

[Bramble-Poultry]

run a bit of sandpaper over the edges of the perches just to soften them slightly. this will help ease and pressure points on the feet.

[chris]

Yup will do - those bits of wood were just for testing! Glad I tested this time rather than just went ahead and banged it all together hehe.

[elizajay]

I know :/ You all said it'd happen and I was certain it wouldn't happen! I don't even know why, but I really do fancy a couple of bantams. I'd really like a cuckoo maran bantam - again don't know why. Just do. Grr !! I hate you lot! Infact, do you REALISE how much this forum has cost me?

I have got a cuckoo maran bantam. She is a fine looking bird, very proud and healthy looking and lays well. I recommend even though she isn't tame enough to cuddle she always notices when a potential snack giver enters the kitchen and has a lot to say.

[chris]

Yes I like different birds- I also quite fancy a bluebell, both I'm unable to find a breeder for both near me. Found a bluebell stockier in Bristol, but it's a fair trek just for a chicken!

Maybe it's a calling?

[Bramble-Poultry]

Chirsmarks - there are a few on here who keep bluebelles, maureen being one of them. i cant remember if she kept her cockerel now, but if she had you might get yourself some hatching eggs from her if she is agreeable and have your own?

[chris]

Sounds good, and it's something that I've thought about, but I don't have the experience/knowledge yet. Perhaps something to do in the future, but I don't have the kit, etc either.. and I'm guessing unless one of mine goes broody I'm out of look.. Then if they're all cocks I'll have to get rid of somehow! Mind you, bbxbb won't be true to type would it?

[Bramble-Poultry]

i am not sure as i have never tried it, however, i seem to recall (if my memory serves me right) that even though they are a hybrid, Maureen did put her bluebelle to a bluebelle cock and the results were more or less "bluebelle".

Dont forget that the cream legbar is a hybrid but that breeds true, so much so its even sex linked.......

[chris]

Sorry... another update I like it when people post pics etc, so thought someone else may like it too!

Dunno who that is, florie maybe (eggs florentine hehe) - dunno I didn't name them - anyway shes having a nose as I was testing her for size again in the nestbox.


Hinges on:


And all of them bunged in to check for room and head restrictions (I seriously, am amazed at how large that magpie is - are they good easters? Compared to that light sussex (shelly I think she is called) she must have a lot more meat on her?)


Question time!

My hens all share the same nest box, despite two of them in the coop - this new one I've build is approx 2' x 1', reading around - a foot square seems to be the size that nestboxes are. It seems quite small in there, I know the 'puppy' down and what not, but that magpie is a beast - I can't imagine her in there with another hen? ( though they do seem to queue for the nestbox - I've watched them it's amusing - as soon as one has dropped her cargo, the other just hops in, shoving the other one out and then pops hers out.. )

Does that seem large enough for 'two' nestboxes? I was going to put a divider in, but I think I'll leave it as one large one now. Originally I thought that the nestbox would be able to house at least one more hen (if I bought another one like) but if it's not large enough I'll stick with the three - I've read somewhere that 1 nestbox per 3 hens is the general rule?

Thanks!

[RichmondHens]

I would leave it as one large one. Then they can shuffle around to fit if they all want to lay at once. Yes you may get the odd egg on the floor if the dominant hen doesn't want anyone in with her, but that is life. You can't change that. They will sort themselves out. Mine queue with enormous amounts of shouting and grumbling and if they are really desperate then they just get in on top of the others.