Using Those Ole Chicken Feed Bags!

Main food for the Hen Owners is 25lb bag of Kalmbach Organic layer pellets. I have this on a subscription from Chewy.com to ensure that we don't miss them. It's our preferred feed, the Hen Owners do like it and their eggs have large and orange yolks. The feed bags are rather nice, too and I've been saving them. One project that I started using them for is for planting. This season, I'm planting some garlic in one as some started sprouting in my pantry. I set aside the sprouting cloves until I had enough for a bag.

Then I took a bag and folded the sides down twice. This was to help keep it open and start forming the shape for planting.

Next, I put down the garlic and spaced them out so there's at least 3" between each other.

Finally, I covered the sprouting cloves with soil.

I typically plant garlic in October-December and harvest around July. I'm planting now because of the sprouting cloves. I like how these bags are nice and deep, sturdy, and woven, so water can seep out. It also doesn't take up garden bed space by having it's own container, so if I need to harvest in September that doesn't affect other garden plans.

The bags are aesthetic, too. And should last more than a season! Now to make sure the Hen Owners don't play in these bags when they're out and about! LOL.

#gardeningwithhens #feedbagprojects

Time to Start Garden Planning!

 

#backyardchickens #gardeningwithhens

"Barn Door" Feature Needs a Redesign

 

     

Looks like we have to review the sliding 'barn door' feature. We added the little patio footing, but that seems to have resulted in helping to trap melted snow in the door rail. While it hasn't been a problem during the warmer days and with rain, it seems to be a problem when there's snow and the melting snow doesn't really have anywhere to run off to.

Thoughts on the redesign for this summer:

• Raise the bottom, build a threshold to hold water and dirt.
• Divert runoff at the top.
• Add a drain at the bottom, near the front of the coop.

Right now, after snow, and then temps of 40F, and now below freezing and more snow, those doors are frozen in place. I did put in an effort yesterday to work in their run before I'd be frozen out of the run. At least there is another way to enter in, but this is the preferred entrance.

Perch Bucket!

 The coop has a little corner set aside right in front of the maintenance door. Partly to keep the deep litter in the coop as we maintain the coop (open and close the door / going in and out). There's a bucket in the corner with fresh litter, or pine shavings. To add in as needed. Based on some in-person and camera observation, Yang sleeps on the bucket rim.

Might as well make it more comfortable, and the stash of pine shavings cleaner...

Took a piece of cardboard, put packing tape on one side, and laid it over the shavings in the bucket. Then added a layer of shavings and coop dust. Then topped off the bucket with a perch, made from wood from the 70% off / purple pile at a big box store. And voila! A perch bucket!

Haven't been able to get a good pic of Yin and Yang roosting on it, but they have been since. The surface and edges were sanded down, but that's it for the work.

#backyardchickens #perches #diycoop

Nest Box Updates

We do the deep litter method, where I do a deep cleanout every 4 months or so. As part of this endeavor, I finally fixed up a modular nest box that I pulled out this summer. An egg broke and made a mess. I had to remove the plywood underneath. 

This round, I sanded and painted the nest box, hoping that it'll make clean up a little better next time. As for the bottom, I put cardboard lined with packaging tape for a bit of lasting effect. Cardboard for now. I don't have an ideal area for cutting sheets of plywood. It's laying down 2x4's and cutting over them with a lot of bending. I will eventually do that so I can have bottoms of the nest box lined with tile. But for now, since I'm already bending when I clean out the coop...stapled cardboard!

Now to replace the other solo nest box so that can have some maintenance, then scrape and sand the coop perches, and shovel out the litter.

The last clean out, I put the litter in boxes to burn. I'm still going through batches to burn. This clean out of litter will go into a raised garden bed for overwintering and composting. Hoping to have some good stuff to use in the garden for next season.

The paint color theme? It's one that I'm considering for the main house. So far, I'm liking how things are going with the paint.

#nestboxes #maintenance #deeplittermethod

New Nest Box

Broody can be a pain.

Broody is when a hen has a persistent urge to sit on eggs to nurture them to young chicks. We don't have a rooster. So we really need to collect eggs. When you don't get them in time, or they are allowed to collect, the risk of an egg cracking is high.

The first time an egg cracked, it wasn't too bad. The yolk didn't break and most of the egg stayed in the shell. The 3rd time was terrible. I had to pull out the nest box to remove the bottom. I had to leave for work so the quickest thing was to cut out some cardboard, staple it to the bottom, put in straw, then back in the coop.

The biggest advantage is the modular design that allows me to pull out one box for maintenance and leave others in for them. Well, one other.

I was able to get a new box built this weekend. It's a double nest box. I added 6 inches to the width and then divided it. I found a nice piece of plywood at my local box hardware store in the scrap pile. It was awesome! 2'x4'x1/2" at 70% off! Making it a nice $8.

Then I proceeded to cut my pieces to fit into the space. The width of the boxes drop down from about 11" to 9", since I've seen 2 of them in there for some tandem laying, a 2" drop should be doable.

I got to use my Japanese handsaw to cut off a little bit of the divider.

Then I added some extra vinyl tiles for the bottom, in the event of another cracked-egg mishap.

There wasn't enough plywood left for the walls, but that's okay, I had extra 1.5"x.5" for supports and more cardboard. Voila! A little double nestbox for under $10.

No one went in until I put a wooden egg in each one. And on the first day, 2 eggs were laid in it. Yay! The previous nest box was removed for maintenance.

For now, they seem to prefer one side over the other, but they do have a choice. And Penny can continue to be broody on the other side. (She's sitting on a wooden egg.)

Still in Progress!

Playing around with which plants and stones to put around the coop and run.

For now, we have a variegated lemon, petunia, avocado, and blueberry bush. I want to find larger and the same pots for across that isn't ridiculously expensive.

Cabbage Treat!

Though I had heard that hanging cabbage can be entertaining to hens, I got to see just how much it is. They didn't even give me much of a chance to capture their excitement on video!

I just took enough cabbage leaves that I could squeeze in a large binder clip. Now to work on expanding on this idea with the goal of giving them something to work on while I work!

Flash Storm - Another Consideration for the Run v2

 Currently, there is what we call the 'Under-Run' and the HOA's 'Backyard.' Where in Version 2 (v2), the 'Backyard' will be the connector to their 'Run Version 2.' With the land on a hill, we had to be creative and we need to continue to be creative.During the winter, the 'Backyard' had a tarm and extra plastic to protect from the elements. It helped to keep wind, snow, and rain out. It wasn't ideal from melting piled up snow. And as the weather got warmer, it kept them from having a breeze to cool down. So Michael removed the plastic and a board that I had put up in the back.

Yes, we had a big flash storm and within a span of 20 minutes, the 'Backyard' got muddy and water pooled in the 'Under-Run' right under their feeder. Since it was predicted to continue to rain overnight, I put some pieces of wood under the tarp to direct the water away from the coop. It seemed to help, but I still added some cut up hay into the floor of the 'Backyard' to help manage the mud.

This was around 7:50 PM, the ground in the Under-Run didn't look too bad.

Then at 8:04 PM, the Backyard was wet with a puddle under the feeder. Not to mention all of the Hen Owners moved upstairs.

The tentative plan is to pick up bricks from our hardware store to surround the new backyard as it extends to the Run Version2.

#diycoop #cooprpojects

Deep Litter Method: After 4 Months

The coop roosting area is about 4x4, though the coop is 4x8 and 4'-5.5' high. We did put down vinyl flooring 1' high to accommodate a deep litter method. While I had heard that this method provides some insulation to the coop and to the residents, I really got to see the difference these past 2 weeks in May.

On May 2nd, I did a full scoop out of the litter and scraped the perches. The litter filled up 4 Hello Fresh boxes, which I'll burn or compost later. It did take me about 3 hours. I had hoped to do a full cleaning of the coop, but was rather exhausted just doing the scoop out.

Learnings:

It was kind of tricky getting started. Really, where do you start? There's about 9" of litter and poop and then the perches.

• Start with a kitty litter scooper. Easy to manage to make a controlled start.
• I made a screen scooper, once I cleared an area with the kitty litter scooper, it went a little better.
• The litter has a mix of dirt. I wanted to keep sifted dirt in the coop. So I wanted to keep sifting.
• I had to break for nestbox laying.

So that was the process. Here's why I'm sold on this method!

1. No smell. The only issue I had being in the coop was kicking up dust, so I covered my face with a bandana.
2. We have roughly a 3 floor coop, the bedding offers a soft floor because even with ramps, they usually like to shortcut their way.
3. It really does provide insulation, with the poop. After I scooped out 9" of litter, I replaced it with about 4" of clean pine shavings. The night temperatures dropped from being 5F warmer than outside to being the same inside.
4. And when the temps did drop below 0 this past winter, the low didn't go below 0 in the coop. Making the delta greater than 5F at times.
5. Weekly maintenance was minimal, great in the winter when you really don't want that kind of chore in winter weather.

I didn't get before pictures, will try next time.

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

 We're still in week 1 of having new Hen Owners join the Board. Things were going well until last night. A little bit of chaos, but if this turns out to be the worst of it, I'll take it! Bed time is the witching hour. And mornings are better!

Good morning from the Hen Owners Association at Cuckoo Condo!

https://youtu.be/Yy3zUv5xWZU

#busyhens

Integration Getting There

 Last night was the 3rd night of the young Hen Owners to stay overnight in the Condo.

The first night, Yin and Zelda slept in the run with Yang in the Condo. Come the second night, Zelda and Yin slept on the porch with Yang in the Condo. Last night, with some intervention and conversation, I got them all in the Condo. Though Yang easily came in on her own, Penny wasn't too happy. Standing in the Condo, I was able to coax Yin in. Then I manually closed the door and turned out the lights. I ran down, picked up Zelda, who had settled to sleep on her crate in the run, as she complained the entire time that I carried her into the coop.

Come the morning, while the littles are still cautious of the older Hen Owners, no blood was drawn.

One of the things that I am very glad that I did, was build a crate for the littles to have a place to get away. While the bigger Hens are able to squeeze themselves into the crate, they don't bother often.

In this snapshot, Zelda and Yin are chilling in the crate. Yang is preening in the middle of the run and the golden girls are just milling about. Whew.

#introducingyoungchicks #integratingyoungchicks

Bay Leaves are a Natural Pest Repellent

Bay leaves are apparently natural pest repellants. I ordered this online a couple of months ago and happily found it in my mailbox 📬 yesterday. I will have to bring it in during the winter ❄️ though.

Haven't noticed any issues, just trying to be proactive.

Time to see how it goes!

 

Sod, Chick Seed Mix

Reusing to-go containers and trying to make little sod pieces to offer in the run every now and then. Chick's mix style.

Also making yogurt cup versions for some patching in the yard. ☺️

Fingers crossed!

#diysod

Another Section Switched to Screen

Now that we're really going into warmer weather, we carefully removed 2 panels at the run and I put up one big hardware cloth panel. I found these drawer catches that can be locked and I measured them out to hopefully, be able to stay there in the winter and the plastic panels can just go on top.

The latches were a way to have removable panels with some security. Not an ideal solution (yet) for ground/digging critters, but getting there.

#diycoop #coopbuilds

Sisters Who Lay Together

Tired of waiting for your turn in the nestbox? Fortunately, the nestbox is big enough for 2. 😂

And yes, they did a tandem lay! 😆

Black Silkie or Emu?

 

Do Not Disturb - I Know Better Now

I just wanted to close the windows but didn't realize the disturbance would upset Penny. I wound up closing only 1 of the 2 windows.

#backyardchickens #chickencoopsounds

Another Feeder Hack

 Or more like a waterer hack. Some time ago I purchased a set of feeder/waterers for the bunny and wound up only using one. The other was able to be a supplemental waterer for the Hens. It sits on their porch and they seem to like the colder water over their coop waterer, which is a 5 quart one. The trouble I've been having is being able to catch it when it's empty.

I went to Tractor Supply looking for a fishing bob, which they didn't have. An employee suggested a ping pong ball. Nice! I found a neighbor who plays competitively and has a stash of about 40 balls that he can't play with. But they are suitable for pet accessories and cat toys! And they come in such vibrant colors!

#feederhacks

Handy Dog Kennels

I've been asked a couple of times how we're planning to introduce the chicks to the condo with the older hens? We're playing it a little bit by ear, but definitely paying attention to their personalities. We're starting with baby steps. First introduction to the outside. Then the outside with the older hens loose.

For now, just being outside is very new to the chicks. So we'll take it a little slow and keep trying to take advantage of 60+F weather days.

#byc #introducingchicks #spitzhaubenchicks #yinandyangchicks