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Mom, look what we caught!
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<blockquote data-quote="gcvmom" data-source="post: 158277" data-attributes="member: 3444"><p>Wow! What an amazing wealth of barnyard knowledge y'all have!</p><p> </p><p>Marg and Mstng, thanks for the tips on coop care <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> I figured we'd have to at least go to the feed store for a bale of straw to throw down in there based on the abundant nature of droppings in just a few hours' time... The floor you see is actually the second one we've put down 'cuz the first one rotted away from moisture and termites and was sagging badly -- although it's still under there. This structure is a good 7 feet high inside -- husband made it that way so he could stand up in there without smacking his head. It's all leftover lumber from our old patio cover... It's the favorite hangout for kids when we have Halloween parties <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p> </p><p>I'll let husband sort out the wood issue. Likely with one chicken the damage won't be as rapid as with 6 or 10 or... easy child gathered up yard clippings from husband's mowing job yesterday and scattered them inside. I think this is going to be a good experience for her. We'll see how well she sticks with it.</p><p> </p><p>Abbey -- I think I'll keep your chicken sleep trick to myself for now <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p><p> </p><p>We've already got 3 compost piles and a worm bin that I toss kitchen scraps in daily and yard waste, too. Sometimes it gets to the overflowing point, so there will be no problem keeping Herbert supplied with a healthy variety of goodies to eat.</p><p> </p><p>It doesn't get THAT cold here. Occasionally it might dip down to the mid-30's (F) in the winter, but that's pretty rare. Last night was in the high 50's and Herbert was happy snuggled in a box of rags. I worry more about heat in the summer (low 100's), but I'm sure the shade of the coop and sufficient water will be fine. </p><p> </p><p>But I do think we should build a small box up higher off the ground, too. We propped a medium sized branch across the walls for her to roost on, but it wasn't secured and she knocked it down. We'll have to nail it in place today. It's about the size of my wrist and I think it will serve well.</p><p> </p><p>husband left the window open in the "coop" this morning, and Herbert wandered up the hill to the neighbor's yard. We don't have a fence, so this could be problematic in a few months when they come back from their annual trip to Germany with their westie terrier that doesn't understand boundaries! So I think we'll need to put some kind of fencing up to limit Herbert's unattended wanderings a bit. What do you think would be a good height to deter her?</p><p> </p><p>husband bought her some cracked corn and some other kind of feed for ducks and geese since they didn't have anything for chickens at Petsmart. I'll have to hit the feed store tomorrow. I can already see that we'll need a better arrangement for food and water.</p><p> </p><p>As for the snakes -- I think technically I'm supposed to try to relocate them, but whenever Animal Control comes out for a rattlesnake call, they destroy the animal. If it were any other kind (and we get lots of others, too) I'd actually be delighted with its presence since we do get wood rats in the lawn shed (husband hasn't learned to close the door yet). I'm sure that's why the rattler was there. We did have a weasle come last month and carry off a rat (and a baby bunny)...</p><p> </p><p>GoingNorth -- my mom sent me info on how to visually sex chickens -- Herberts feathers on her neck and saddle are definitely rounded vs. pointed -- plus no spurs on her legs. I feel pretty certain about the gender. Age is another story. If I had to guess, I'd say under a year, but I'm definitely NOT an EGGSpert!</p><p> </p><p>WG -- lonely never killed a chicken -- we are NOT getting another one. REPEAT...</p><p> </p><p>Tryinghard -- I admit, I've got a soft spot for critters that need a better home. Both our cats were rescues, and our turtle wasn't wanted anymore either by its owner. Castoff animals fit in well with our predominantly difficult child family <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></p><p> </p><p>SRL: I've never eaten snake before.... I hear it tastes like... CHICKEN!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="gcvmom, post: 158277, member: 3444"] Wow! What an amazing wealth of barnyard knowledge y'all have! Marg and Mstng, thanks for the tips on coop care :) I figured we'd have to at least go to the feed store for a bale of straw to throw down in there based on the abundant nature of droppings in just a few hours' time... The floor you see is actually the second one we've put down 'cuz the first one rotted away from moisture and termites and was sagging badly -- although it's still under there. This structure is a good 7 feet high inside -- husband made it that way so he could stand up in there without smacking his head. It's all leftover lumber from our old patio cover... It's the favorite hangout for kids when we have Halloween parties :) I'll let husband sort out the wood issue. Likely with one chicken the damage won't be as rapid as with 6 or 10 or... easy child gathered up yard clippings from husband's mowing job yesterday and scattered them inside. I think this is going to be a good experience for her. We'll see how well she sticks with it. Abbey -- I think I'll keep your chicken sleep trick to myself for now ;) We've already got 3 compost piles and a worm bin that I toss kitchen scraps in daily and yard waste, too. Sometimes it gets to the overflowing point, so there will be no problem keeping Herbert supplied with a healthy variety of goodies to eat. It doesn't get THAT cold here. Occasionally it might dip down to the mid-30's (F) in the winter, but that's pretty rare. Last night was in the high 50's and Herbert was happy snuggled in a box of rags. I worry more about heat in the summer (low 100's), but I'm sure the shade of the coop and sufficient water will be fine. But I do think we should build a small box up higher off the ground, too. We propped a medium sized branch across the walls for her to roost on, but it wasn't secured and she knocked it down. We'll have to nail it in place today. It's about the size of my wrist and I think it will serve well. husband left the window open in the "coop" this morning, and Herbert wandered up the hill to the neighbor's yard. We don't have a fence, so this could be problematic in a few months when they come back from their annual trip to Germany with their westie terrier that doesn't understand boundaries! So I think we'll need to put some kind of fencing up to limit Herbert's unattended wanderings a bit. What do you think would be a good height to deter her? husband bought her some cracked corn and some other kind of feed for ducks and geese since they didn't have anything for chickens at Petsmart. I'll have to hit the feed store tomorrow. I can already see that we'll need a better arrangement for food and water. As for the snakes -- I think technically I'm supposed to try to relocate them, but whenever Animal Control comes out for a rattlesnake call, they destroy the animal. If it were any other kind (and we get lots of others, too) I'd actually be delighted with its presence since we do get wood rats in the lawn shed (husband hasn't learned to close the door yet). I'm sure that's why the rattler was there. We did have a weasle come last month and carry off a rat (and a baby bunny)... GoingNorth -- my mom sent me info on how to visually sex chickens -- Herberts feathers on her neck and saddle are definitely rounded vs. pointed -- plus no spurs on her legs. I feel pretty certain about the gender. Age is another story. If I had to guess, I'd say under a year, but I'm definitely NOT an EGGSpert! WG -- lonely never killed a chicken -- we are NOT getting another one. REPEAT... Tryinghard -- I admit, I've got a soft spot for critters that need a better home. Both our cats were rescues, and our turtle wasn't wanted anymore either by its owner. Castoff animals fit in well with our predominantly difficult child family :D SRL: I've never eaten snake before.... I hear it tastes like... CHICKEN! [/QUOTE]
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