LadyHK's "Cock-a-Doodle-Condo"

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

So I know you haven't been wondering where I've been. Let's just say I'm a sucker for a pretty face.......hers. That and she makes the best omlets and nothing's better than REAL eggs. So here's the project and let me tell you LadyHK has been the best helper, she knows how to handle a tractor and a front end loader. She set all the 12 foot 6x6 posts like a professional and has helped me throughout the whole thing. As for me sometimes I think I bite off a bit more than I can chew like this 9/12 pitch roof. Thank God I have scaffolding lying around otherwise I'd still be up there trying to figure out how to get down..........I'm getting to old for this shit. I used Hardee Panel for the exterior for the durability and bugs like it so much. Besides, if all else fails we can use it as a tornado shelter/ bomb shelter/ defensive position......etc. It's kinda stout. Oh I think we're gonna put chickens in here somewhere.....(outlined in red, last picture).

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Day1_zps61600d5b.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Day1_zps61600d5b.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Day2_zps1d8fb2c5.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Day2_zps1d8fb2c5.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Day3_zpsfa770dc1.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Day3_zpsfa770dc1.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Day5_zps4349670f.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Day5_zps4349670f.jpg.html)http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Day7_zps8debf4d4.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Day7_zps8debf4d4.jpg.html)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/coop1_zps98039b38.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/coop1_zps98039b38.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/coop2_zps6047c315.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/coop2_zps6047c315.jpg.html)

[Sniper-T]

Holy Crap Batman!

Exactly how big are the chickens down there???

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/SchlomoBernstein/foto_funy_8.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/SchlomoBernstein/media/foto_funy_8.jpg.html)

Oh well, as long as they're useful...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/BigChicken_zps4fee4f0a.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/BigChicken_zps4fee4f0a.jpg.html)

Awesome build, btw!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I have a habit of wanting it to be there for awhile. Don't want the thing falling over and all eh? One half is coop and the other is storage. I plan on doing some experimenting with this thing while we're "spinning our wheels" so it'll be an interesting project. SOLAR power.......funky shit.

[ak474u]

Good lookin little building. That'll hold up for a while.

[helomech]

Wow, that is built to last. Nice job.

[bacpacker]

Nice coop! What's your footprint?

On a side note, looks ive lost my title as"Lord of the Chickrn Coop" :)

[ladyhk13]

This building is amazing. BWRR has done such a great job! He has worked so hard and really gone overboard with this coop. We are going to have happy chickens! We have been adjusting the design as we go and some people think we are nuts but that's ok....my mom asked me if I was going to put in a tv for them. Hmmmmmm, hadn't thought about that option.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Nice coop! What's your footprint?

On a side note, looks ive lost my title as"Lord of the Chickrn Coop" :)

The dementions? Hmmmmm, that's a good one. 12x10, I gave her as much ground clearance as I could with a 12' post and then measured down 8' from the shortest post and rand a level line from there.

Like I said the other side is for storage but I've secretly wired it for my "Hamshack" Soon I'll be broadcasting to the world!

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/Charlie_Farquharson_zpse0a0b23a.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/Charlie_Farquharson_zpse0a0b23a.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

KORN radidio! :)

[ladyhk13]

Well maybe we will get one of our bedrooms back then huh?

[Stormfeather]

CHKN Radio!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

OK, makin a bit more progress, would have the roof on by now but I always seem to have an excuse. So maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. It's amazing what a woman can do with a paint can. Made all my ugly look purdy good.

*Note to self* Sure you can screw a metal roof down on a a plywood decked roof, no problem. But.......if you are going to lay down an insulation.....lay that over the plywood, then 1x4 batten then your metal. Needs the have an air space, blah blah blah, another fucken run back into town.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/102_7049_zpsadd2dc69.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/102_7049_zpsadd2dc69.jpg.html)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I guess what's happening the most is the constant thought process. I've been trying to use as much material as I have laying around before I buy anymore. Just wait till you see the front door, you're going to to shit..............

[Sniper-T]

oops. too late...
:rolleyes:

[bacpacker]

It's not a real project if you haven't made 18 trips to Lowes or HD during the process. At least that's the way mine usually work out.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

We usually kinda gauge it on wants and needs. How far do you want to drive, how bad do we need it. Quality of material and of course if we gotta drive all that way, where are we going to eat! They have Chinese Buffet out by Lowes........

No roof today.........rainin.

[Sniper-T]

...They have Chinese Buffet out by Lowes.........

lol.

just print this off and show it to your server...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/CATS/cat_chinese_zps93cfd215.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/CATS/cat_chinese_zps93cfd215.jpg.html)

[ladyhk13]

lol.

just print this off and show it to your server...

http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt140/Sniper-T/CATS/cat_chinese_zps93cfd215.jpg (http://s605.photobucket.com/user/Sniper-T/media/CATS/cat_chinese_zps93cfd215.jpg.html)

I'm sure it says something like I want cat so no thanks! I know you are trying to trick me into something terrible.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Well I'm glad that's fuckin over with......I got the "Tin foil hat" on so the Gov. can't get to our chicken's brains. (Battens and Insulation) Then metal and ridge cap, nuff for that day and then this morning I finished up. Now I can get on with the easy shit, trim, windows, door, etc. Move the scaffolding, put this on. Move the scaffolding put that on. Move scaffolding.........

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/coop4_zpscc50e643.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/coop4_zpscc50e643.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/coop5_zps46143746.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/coop5_zps46143746.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/coop6_zpsd3e27a39.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/coop6_zpsd3e27a39.jpg.html)

Remind me not to do the 9/12 pitch next time, eh?

[Sniper-T]

don't do a 9/12 pitch next time!
:cool:

[Logarius]

Good looking job! Hope you enjoy the eggs

[bacpacker]

Looks good! Damn if I've never seen a coop with a porch for rockin chairs though. :)

[ElevenBravo]

Yall are as bad as me!!

I only know how to build stuff two ways 1) heavy duty 2) more heavy duty

HA HA!

Nice build, lets see it occupied!!

Congrats on the fine job,
EB

[Stormfeather]

That coop looks great! Cant wait to see the chickens in it!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Looks good! Damn if I've never seen a coop with a porch for rockin chairs though. :)

Aaah, I knew someone would catch that sooner or later. OK so it does hold up the floor in the coop on one side. the other side is going to get cut off. But I was thinking of making a railing across the one side for "cosmetics" but all they'll do is shit all over it anyway. That area was originally going to be all caged in.........then things change........I'll leave it at that.


But it would make a nice mother-in-law suite. I'm just sayin.......

[bacpacker]

Good one. And they do shit everywhere. Really nice coop though.

I have been dethroned! :)

[ElevenBravo]

My daughter said, and I quote: "Thats some spoiled ass chickens".

Her words, not mine.

EB

[bacpacker]

Priceless!

:)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

My daughter said, and I quote: "Thats some spoiled ass chickens".

Her words, not mine.

EB

Hell this is just the begining.....if you could see what I have already seen.

[ladyhk13]

Good looking job! Hope you enjoy the eggs

I am going to sooooo enjoy the eggs. Can't wait to finally have nice orange yolks with whites that stay in place and don't run all over the pan when ya crack em open, have no growth hormones or antibiotics in them. Yummy and even healthy for the cholesterol!

- - - Updated - - -


Hell this is just the begining.....if you could see what I have already seen.

BWRR is busting his butt building this thing! He's doing a great job....maybe should be bigger? ;)))))

[momabear]

nice cant wait to come see it now that its dun . now if i can just get my husband to finish ours our chickens can stop living in the tree lol..

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Don't know what you been told but I ain't done yet! Have to fabricate window stuff so I can get the damn windows in but I keep getting interupted. Some things just can't be helped. Had to fill my 100# gas bottles today now I need to run to the post office. Morons close from 1200-200PM talk about banker's hours! Looking forward to your visit and meeting "Poppa Bear":rolleyes:

[robsdak]

hey guys, if the chicken thing doesn't workout. what would you rent it for? i am quiet, keep too myself (mostly), have my own toys (i like too share), sometimes i don't do well with others (outsiders) but i know when too talk and when to be quiet. and i understand 'bless his heart'. :) looks real nice, i am wishing i were a chicken and lived in that part of the world.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

We've decided to give a colony membership discount! Updated pictures soon to follow.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

OK, fire away, here's the latest pictures. I just got the wall switch, 2 lights up and power (battery) in today. So now you can flick a switch and have lights when ya walk in the door. Waiting on an electrical panel so I can put all my junk in and get the place "properly" wired for the solar stuff. Still lots of little stuff to do yet, rain barrels, gutters.........chicken wire.........fence...............shit..........

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/a_zps84f4ebd3.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/a_zps84f4ebd3.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/b_zps65b12985.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/b_zps65b12985.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/c_zps8b88b5bf.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/c_zps8b88b5bf.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/d_zps89db3bcc.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/d_zps89db3bcc.jpg.html)

[Katrina]

Lady,
Love the door. Great job BWRR, wanna come here and help me build my greenhouse?? LOL

[ladyhk13]

Lady,
Love the door. Great job BWRR, wanna come here and help me build my greenhouse?? LOL

Thanks Kat. I bought the door when we lived in Bristol to put on this house but then we replaced the whole 3 panel door and pulled this one back out and stored it. So we had it already and figured it would let in lots of light. We have a French door going inside as well to keep the 2 sides light. I got the paint for the inside and BWRR does NOT like it. It's sunshine yellow! It's such a happy color for them to wake up to in the winter. My mom says it's going to keep them awake, but I don't care...it's a happy color.

[Sniper-T]

Actually, chickens hate the colour yellow. That's why they hide the yolk under the white and cover that up with a shell...

[ak474u]

Actually, chickens hate the colour yellow. That's why they hide the yolk under the white and cover that up with a shell...

Booo this man! Boooooooooooooooo

[Sniper-T]

rofl. Oh Ak :rolleyes:... I'm sure it looks awesome, but I am just teasing my fair Lady.

She knows that.

[robsdak]

fanciest chicken house i seen yet. might need an armed 'robsdak' guard to keep the riff-raff moving and varmints away.

edit who changed my post???

[ladyhk13]

Actually, chickens hate the colour yellow. That's why they hide the yolk under the white and cover that up with a shell...

Then why is it when you crack that she'll and throw it away and the white part runs flat on your pan what you have left is this beautiful, bright yellow yolk! So I would think that yellow is their favorite color when it's all said and done! Don't mess with my color choice Sniper Dude...I'm already getting it from family.

[robsdak]

fanciest chicken house i seen yet. might need an armed 'robsdak' guard to keep the riff-raff moving and varmints away.

edit who changed my post???

please ignore the above edit... wrong post, not edited... sorry. :)

[ladyhk13]

please ignore the above edit... wrong post, not edited... sorry. :)

Siwwy wabbit...you been drinking your honey?

[Sniper-T]

Or maybe fermenting it?

[robsdak]

neither of the above, i 'thought' i had been hit by the 'edit police'. for saying something, but it was in the 'who/what is' thread. i keep forgetting that this place is awesome and we rarely get the 'edit hammer'. :) i am all good, now.

besides, i have no bad habits like that....... all mine are related to steel, lead, wood and nylon. :p

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Update time! BEHOLD THE AUTOMATIC CHICKEN DOOR! So, if you look closely you can see the Volvo antenna motor up top that powers the whole thing. As soon as the damn access panel gets here I'll be able to wire everything into the place permanently. That's what's really holding me up on the electrical end. A lot of little things to do now, and it's raining again............


http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/102_7168_zps2a3e6b4b.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/102_7168_zps2a3e6b4b.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/102_7167_zpse0b46322.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/102_7167_zpse0b46322.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/102_7166_zps77b11fea.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/102_7166_zps77b11fea.jpg.html)

[ladyhk13]

And if you look closely at the 2nd pic out the window you can see my solar powered light BWRR put in for me too!

[Sniper-T]

I just hope that the chickens like it!

[helomech]

We love our automatic chicken door. Had it for about 4 years now and it is solar powered also. Do you have automatic water set up?

[bacpacker]

I like that door opener. Really slick.

[ElevenBravo]

Damn, thats nice, such a top notch job... You guys do realize, there just going to shit all over the floor...

EB

[bacpacker]

Yes they will. Over and over and...

[Willie51]

Yes they will. Over and over and...

..........and over!! :rolleyes:

[helomech]

Here is our chicken door.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/animals/IMG_1139_zps4395102a.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/animals/IMG_1139_zps4395102a.jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/animals/IMG_1137_zpsd1184e8c.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/animals/IMG_1137_zpsd1184e8c.jpg.html)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

We love our automatic chicken door. Had it for about 4 years now and it is solar powered also. Do you have automatic water set up?

Not yet, I have the rain barrels, need to put up the gutters, down spouts, build platforms and run plumbing. Got any pictures as to how yours is set up? I'd like to see how it's rigged if you don't mind. it's all going to be covered in shit anyway
so it's OK.:rolleyes:

- - - Updated - - -


Damn, thats nice, such a top notch job... You guys do realize, there just going to shit all over the floor...

EB

I'm not worried about that part, it's not in my job description. I be maintenance man, not sanitation engineer. I build and fix and maintain........ah, cleaning that thing was not in the employment contract.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Here is our chicken door.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/animals/IMG_1139_zps4395102a.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/animals/IMG_1139_zps4395102a.jpg.html)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/animals/IMG_1137_zpsd1184e8c.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/animals/IMG_1137_zpsd1184e8c.jpg.html)

I like it! Nice rig, I'm guessing the timer and battery are under the coop? Or maybe I'm getting a sense of hanging upside down like a Bat? Nice that it's made of Stainless or Aluminum makes clean up easy. Butt shit is Kryptonite to me so if I get anywhere near it I'll look like a cat trying to cough up a fur ball and Sniper will mistake me for a real cat and then next thing you know I'll be shot, blanched, skinned, de-boned, ground up and stuffed into some intestine. Twisted into links and smoked.............served right next to the damn eggs.

[robsdak]

I'm not worried about that part, it's not in my job description. I be maintenance man, not sanitation engineer. I build and fix and maintain........ah, cleaning that thing was not in the employment contract.

BLAH,BLAH,BLAH........ that's what you have going on in your mind... 'honey, i can't get to the coop today, would you mind' or 'you wanna eat eggs? clean the damn thing!' ROTFLMAO!!!! :D

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

BLAH,BLAH,BLAH........ that's what you have going on in your mind... 'honey, i can't get to the coop today, would you mind' or 'you wanna eat eggs? clean the damn thing!' ROTFLMAO!!!! :D
Yup, and I got matches, I'll just throw some Hickory and Apple wood in there when I light it up so it'll give it some flavor. Then..........I'll till it up for a garden next year. Problem solved, so where you going to sleep now smart ass?:cool:

[robsdak]

Yup, and I got matches, I'll just throw some Hickory and Apple wood in there when I light it up so it'll give it some flavor. Then..........I'll till it up for a garden next year. Problem solved, so where you going to sleep now smart ass?:cool:

your right, your not a sanitation engineer. my bad, don't know what i was thinking... pain meds must have went to my head. :D in the smelly coop with the other birds. LOL

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

It's OK brother I needed to laugh! I'm waiting on LadyHK to wander in here any minute. Keep up the good work and I'll put some extra feed in your bowl.

[helomech]

I like it! Nice rig, I'm guessing the timer and battery are under the coop? Or maybe I'm getting a sense of hanging upside down like a Bat? Nice that it's made of Stainless or Aluminum makes clean up easy. Butt shit is Kryptonite to me so if I get anywhere near it I'll look like a cat trying to cough up a fur ball and Sniper will mistake me for a real cat and then next thing you know I'll be shot, blanched, skinned, de-boned, ground up and stuffed into some intestine. Twisted into links and smoked.............served right next to the damn eggs.

Yes the timer and battery are inside the coop. The tin above the box is the roof.

I used a bucket with a toilet float inside it, because the nipples don't work with any pressure.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_1830.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/home/IMG_1830.jpg.html)

Then I ran PEX pipe where I wanted it and put the nipples in the pipe.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_0773.jpg (http://s266.photobucket.com/user/helomech1973/media/home/IMG_0773.jpg.html)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

"WE" like your set up! So it's gravity fed from the bucket which level is maintained by the toilet float switch. Nice touch. What height do you have the nipples at? For the grown ups that is?

[helomech]

"WE" like your set up! So it's gravity fed from the bucket which level is maintained by the toilet float switch. Nice touch. What height do you have the nipples at? For the grown ups that is?

Most of mine are at a angle. Up high close to the bucket and closer to the ground at the end. That way any of them can find a nipple they can reach. But even the biggest birds can reach the ones low to the ground with no issues. Yes the water is gravity fed.

[realist]

Nipples....oh sorry.

If this is the way you folks treat your chickens I want to see your slums! Very nice job. I operate under the assumption that if I build something like that I will at least have a place to stay in the future when my better half gets tired of me. Btw how many birds do you plan on housing?

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Well I'm "letting" her keep 7 out of 33. Seven get to lay eggs the others get canned.

[Sniper-T]

canned? as in axed? you mean you are going to fire chickens for not laying eggs? Sheesh, tough boss. You better hope that they don't form a union...
;)
lol

[helomech]

We are running about 40 black australorps, and about 25 mixed ducks. Going to be picking up 50 broilers in February for 4h, so most of those will end up canned.

[robsdak]

Well I'm "letting" her keep 7 out of 33. Seven get to lay eggs the others get canned.

tough boss. man, i hope IF i ever make it there, i CAN produce enough to stay out of jars. besides i am old, tough and taste like shit. i bring toys and food for said toys, i can garden, hunt, shoot beyond 500m and everybody needs a Paracord Master...:D

[realist]

BWR since you are second in command I would keep and eye on your boss when you "can" those others. You got a bunch of points for building that coop. But if it is anything like around here the points are only good for 24 hours so watch your six.

[Sniper-T]

Bump!

inhabited yet?

what's LH up to, haven't heard from her in weeeeeeeks! I miss my bud!

[Domeguy]

I can personally say this is by far, the highest rated 5 star chicken hotel in this part of Tennessee. You have really done a great job. I wish I was one of your chickens...not the canned ones...the slave labor ones!

[robsdak]

just keep them off the second tier, i am coming. :)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Bump!

inhabited yet?

what's LH up to, haven't heard from her in weeeeeeeks! I miss my bud!

Just saw this, she has been informed.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

OK it's done for the most part, there some odds and ends and there will be some growing pains and adjustments BUT. The chickens moved in last Saturday. They go in and out the door opens and closes and one of them lays eggs. Soooooooo I guess everything's just fuckin dandy. Now it's all gettin covered in shit...........

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/e_zpsf6e68537.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/e_zpsf6e68537.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/f_zpsa459f67b.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/f_zpsa459f67b.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/g_zps1a5365af.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/g_zps1a5365af.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/h_zps076fbb3f.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/h_zps076fbb3f.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/i_zps6a9c2ba9.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/i_zps6a9c2ba9.jpg.html)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

And some more chicken pictures.......

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/j_zps3123f8ce.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/j_zps3123f8ce.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/k_zps579779b9.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/k_zps579779b9.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/l_zpsffefe5f8.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/l_zpsffefe5f8.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/m_zpseba96331.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/m_zpseba96331.jpg.html)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/n_zpsc92d27c7.jpg (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/n_zpsc92d27c7.jpg.html)

[bacpacker]

Good lookin birds, great lookin coop

[helomech]

Looks great.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

So far everything is functional. Like I said a few odds and ends to do , mainly electrical. Lights', clean up the wiring, maybe add a few more widgets, hell who knows. Birds still need training on the "get your ass inside" at night. Sunset is around 1630 here. I initially started there. then the door opened again 3 min. later and then closed 3 min. later. Well with the cold and windy days there wasn't of a problem. Now the last few days have been nice and day before yesterday. 2 got left out. So I figure let's bump the whole thing 20 min. to 1650. Well we came home last night to one straggler. I ain't touching a thing right now. It doesn't get dark till just after 1700. So I'm just going to try and make them get used to it. Maybe I'll shorten the "stupid chicken time" delay between open and close in the evening for the stragglers? Any you CHICKEN RANCHERS worked with an auto door I'm open to suggestions or just plain suggestions. Those of you who know the habits of this creature. Thanks ahead of time! Damn things don't have a throttle or a charging handle, but they do shit and they hang out together at night........but they don't hunt at night. Still looking for a place to put my radios.........

[Sniper-T]

Wait a minute... Tell me I am wrong, but are those potted plantes in there? And is that some sort of knick-knack between them? Holy spoiled chickens, batman!
I do hope you splurged and got them a flat screen tv...



...

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k48/sardog87008/e_zpsf6e68537.jpg... (http://s85.photobucket.com/user/sardog87008/media/e_zpsf6e68537.jpg.html)

[helomech]

So far everything is functional. Like I said a few odds and ends to do , mainly electrical. Lights', clean up the wiring, maybe add a few more widgets, hell who knows. Birds still need training on the "get your ass inside" at night. Sunset is around 1630 here. I initially started there. then the door opened again 3 min. later and then closed 3 min. later. Well with the cold and windy days there wasn't of a problem. Now the last few days have been nice and day before yesterday. 2 got left out. So I figure let's bump the whole thing 20 min. to 1650. Well we came home last night to one straggler. I ain't touching a thing right now. It doesn't get dark till just after 1700. So I'm just going to try and make them get used to it. Maybe I'll shorten the "stupid chicken time" delay between open and close in the evening for the stragglers? Any you CHICKEN RANCHERS worked with an auto door I'm open to suggestions or just plain suggestions. Those of you who know the habits of this creature. Thanks ahead of time! Damn things don't have a throttle or a charging handle, but they do shit and they hang out together at night........but they don't hunt at night. Still looking for a place to put my radios.........

I have my auto door set to close about 30-45 minutes after dark. That way all the birds are inside. You may have to round them up for a little while and force them to go inside. Once they get used to it, they should go in and out on their own. Guinea are the hardest to get to go in the coop.

- - - Updated - - -


Wait a minute... Tell me I am wrong, but are those potted plantes in there? And is that some sort of knick-knack between them? Holy spoiled chickens, batman!
I do hope you splurged and got them a flat screen tv...

I was thinking the same thing.

[ladyhk13]

Wait a minute... Tell me I am wrong, but are those potted plantes in there? And is that some sort of knick-knack between them? Holy spoiled chickens, batman!
I do hope you splurged and got them a flat screen tv...

Just 2 plants that they immediately started pecking at so I took them out and the little thing in the middle is a "princess" chicken with a tiara and dress. They get the flat screen for Christmas.

[Sniper-T]

wb Lady... where ya been?

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

I have my auto door set to close about 30-45 minutes after dark. That way all the birds are inside. You may have to round them up for a little while and force them to go inside. Once they get used to it, they should go in and out on their own. Guinea are the hardest to get to go in the coop.

- - - Updated - - -





Last night wasn't problem either but I do see your point. Thanks. Damn rooster started making noise this morning.......keeps it up I'm going to nail his other foot to the floor.

[helomech]

I have black austrolorps and the roosters are very docile. We have had over a 100 of them over the years, and only one has ever been aggressive, they also don't make a lot of noise. What breed of rooster do you have?

[ladyhk13]

wb Lady... where ya been?

Under the radar, lots going on. You know how it goes. Sorry. Missed you guys!

- - - Updated - - -


Last night wasn't problem either but I do see your point. Thanks. Damn rooster started making noise this morning.......keeps it up I'm going to nail his other foot to the floor.

I haven't heard him make a sound! All of them are so quiet. They follow me around and eat out of my hand. I think BWRR is making up stories because he doesn't like chickens, especially roosters! I told him to go out and make friends with them and talk to them and they will be just as quiet around him as they are with me.

[ladyhk13]

I have black austrolorps and the roosters are very docile. We have had over a 100 of them over the years, and only one has ever been aggressive, they also don't make a lot of noise. What breed of rooster do you have?

They are a mix of Delaware, I think Plymouth Rock and New Hampshire or Rhode Island. Although one of them looks like a Silver Laced Wyandotte but my friend who hatched them for me didn't say anything about that breed. She got a bunch of heritage birds years ago and then just let them do their thing. Guess thy are mongrels now ;)

- - - Updated - - -


tough boss. man, i hope IF i ever make it there, i CAN produce enough to stay out of jars. besides i am old, tough and taste like shit. i bring toys and food for said toys, i can garden, hunt, shoot beyond 500m and everybody needs a Paracord Master...:D

You're hired...just make sure ya bring your bees!

[ladyhk13]

Update! All of my girls are laying now. Been getting 3-4 eggs every day and once I got 5 but today, on the coldest day of the year I got 6! Yahoo! 3 were various shades of brown, a blue, a green and one that is kind of a cross between green/blue.

[Willie51]

Update! All of my girls are laying now. Been getting 3-4 eggs every day and once I got 5 but today, on the coldest day of the year I got 6! Yahoo! 3 were various shades of brown, a blue, a green and one that is kind of a cross between green/blue.

Well they're living in a hi-class condo, what do you expect? :)

[bacpacker]

They are doing good. How old are they?

[ladyhk13]

6 month

[Sniper-T]

Nice... congrats on the success!

[ladyhk13]

Thanks! I do have a problem though. It's been sooo freezing cold here that our indoor water nipples have been freezing. We've been putting bowls of water in the coop for them (actually kept them inside the last 2 days since its been so cold) but they throw litter in it and by morning it's frozen too.
We've been looking for a 12v heater that we can warm the water with (I'll buy a regular waterer for it instead of using bowls) to hookup to the solar but can't find anything except for regular electric power. I would think somewhere makes one for off grid use. Any ideas?

[Sniper-T]

all kinds of 12v heaters...

http://www.amazon.ca/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=12v+heater&tag=msncahydra-20&index=aps&hvadid=1628066426&ref=pd_sl_4pjvp8qsww_e

[ladyhk13]

I want one that their water can sit on top of.

[Sniper-T]

as in a water bowl?

like a dog would have?
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/08/50/45/00/0008504500519_500X500.jpg

Why not just grab something like this and throw it in:
http://www.a2zcamping.co.uk/user/products/large/12-Volt-Car-Truck-Water-Heater-Element.jpg

Oh, wait, I forgot that you have the 5 star rated chicken coop, needs to look good too...

hmmm...

How about something like this:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/12v-sauce-pan-popcorn-maker/56986

and you can pop the corn for the chickens too.

[ladyhk13]

Is the first one 12 v that can be hooked up to our solar panel? Looks like a regular 110 plug. The next one looks like something that would go into a car battery. BWRR has a panel that is wired for 12 v so maybe he should take a pic of it so you can see how it is set up to be wired so you can see what we need.

[Domeguy]

Any appliance rated for 12DC can be wired into the electrical panel you are using on the coup. You could cut off the DC plug and detect wire or install a permanent female plug into the panel so you can disconnect and remove the heater when it is not in use so the chickens won't ruin it. From what I remember seeing, I don't think BWRR used an inverter anywhere in the system, but if he did, you could use a standard AC heater, as long as it wasn't to strong for the battery.

[Sniper-T]

Is the first one 12 v that can be hooked up to our solar panel? Looks like a regular 110 plug. The next one looks like something that would go into a car battery. BWRR has a panel that is wired for 12 v so maybe he should take a pic of it so you can see how it is set up to be wired so you can see what we need.

What about the third link? cut the cig lighter plug off, and wire it up!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Well I think I've gone through about everything that's out there on the internet. As far as the coop's heat goes I think the chickens are holding their own. The water is the issue, the numerous heaters that are out there for space heaters have alot of mixed reviews. The power drain might be a problem with most of these. I'm only running one deep cycle marine battery which has been sufficient so far. Can't seem to find a submersable water heater that I could put in my rain barrel though, that would be the ticket. That does not seem to exist.........in the 12vdc universe.

Hey, thanks for everyone's input.

[Sniper-T]

Um, the second link I posted was a for that. looked like a block heater???

check out this link:

http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/hotwater.html

commonly used in horse troughs around here, and one will keep a trough thawed in our winters!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

OK after further evaluation, I have done an "open and inspect" of the whole system. LadyHK was right in her assessment, it's just the chicken's nipples that are frozen. The lines and valves all checked out SAT, a little ice on top in the barrel but that's it. So I'll skip the heater for the barrel. But I do know for sure that the system will handle the sub zero wind chill now. Just gotta be careful, you'll snap your nipples off.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Um, the second link I posted was a for that. looked like a block heater???

check out this link:

http://www.hydrogenappliances.com/hotwater.html

commonly used in horse troughs around here, and one will keep a trough thawed in our winters!

That's pretty slick I'm keeping that for future reference! I'm going to get some of those, love the sensor.
Thanks Sniper

[Sniper-T]

How about a couple wraps of heat trace just up from the nipples?

[ladyhk13]

Well we just slaughtered our very first ever chicken. My rooster Luis has been attacking me non stop and being aggressive with the girls. I believe he had brain damage and was having seizures which made him mean so my beloved boy had to go. Broke my heart and I cried but I think overall I held it together pretty well. I've never killed or been part of killing an animal before so I guess it could have gone worse especially since I loved him. So, he is in the freezer now and we can have calm once again.
When it gets warm my friend will hatch me another rooster and I will raise him from a baby.

[Sniper-T]

Well done LH! Well done!

[robsdak]

How about a couple wraps of heat trace just up from the nipples?

thanks for the morning laugh. i knew what we were talking about, but still struck me funny.


Well we just slaughtered our very first ever chicken. My rooster Luis has been attacking me non stop and being aggressive with the girls. I believe he had brain damage and was having seizures which made him mean so my beloved boy had to go. Broke my heart and I cried but I think overall I held it together pretty well. I've never killed or been part of killing an animal before so I guess it could have gone worse especially since I loved him. So, he is in the freezer now and we can have calm once again.
When it gets warm my friend will hatch me another rooster and I will raise him from a baby.

the first is always the hardest. when dinner? chicken and dumplings? what do i need to bring? :)

[bacpacker]

One more step. Good job

[Sniper-T]

Some rare footage of Ladyhk:

http://elainefogel.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Axe-lady.jpg

[eagle326]

Did river Rat marry Lizzie Borden ? RUN BWRR RUN!!! :eek:

[helomech]

Most breeds of roosters are mean. That is the main reason we picked the breed we have. Black Austrolorp roosters are not at all aggressive. We have had over 100 roosters in our time and only one was mean. It attacked my wife once and got cooked that night, but the other 99 or so have never shown any aggression. Wish you where closer I could give you some.

[ladyhk13]

Did river Rat marry Lizzie Borden ? RUN BWRR RUN!!! :eek:

I didn't do the hatchet job! BWRR did that part but I stayed right there and didn't run and hide or scream like a girl. There was a discussion of whether the bird should be facing ya in the cone or away from ya. I thought it should be facing us, he said no so he won since he was the one cutting its head off.

[Sniper-T]

the cone?

[ladyhk13]

Most breeds of roosters are mean. That is the main reason we picked the breed we have. Black Austrolorp roosters are not at all aggressive. We have had over 100 roosters in our time and only one was mean. It attacked my wife once and got cooked that night, but the other 99 or so have never shown any aggression. Wish you where closer I could give you some.

My girlfriend bred these for me and she has never had a mean rooster. This guy was over at my sisters with 60 other mostly males inside and he got beat up pretty badly (blinded in one eye, feathers on his neck and tail gone) and he was swinging his head around in circles like crazy - which I didn't see until after I brought him home. I thought I could save him and get him healthy again but evidently he had a brain injury too which caused seizures and made him mean.

We are going to breed another one for me and I will hand raise him so it should be fine. Now I have a problem with a girl eating eggs. Yesterday since they were locked out of their nesting boxes until we got Luis ready one of them dropped an egg off a roosting bar and it cracked so they went crazy eating it. Today I found an egg on the floor of the coop that was broken open and eaten. Geeze, this chicken stuff is hard!

[Sniper-T]

Cannibalism??? You got Zombie Chickens girl!!! Lock and Load!!

[ladyhk13]

the cone?

Yes, placed him in the cone and I had him facing us but BWRR said to turn him around so he ended up cutting through the spine first instead of the jugulars and then hitting the spine to cut the head the rest of the way off. Not sure which is the correct way but I thought the vids I watched showed cutting from the front. Maybe it doesn't matter?

- - - Updated - - -


Cannibalism??? You got Zombie Chickens girl!!! Lock and Load!!

I hope it doesn't continue or I'll have to figure out who is doing it and off with her head. I hope I'm not going to lose all of them because of this.

[Sniper-T]

throw a game cam in there. may have to sift through a whackload of pics of the rest of them knitting, doing crosswords and sudoku to find the culprit, but may be worth it.

got a link to this cone thing... not following.

[ladyhk13]

Attached the cone to a tree, put chicken in head down, cut head off with knife

[bacpacker]

Try and figure out the egg eater quickly. It's hard to stop once they start and they LOVE egg yolks and will eat the shells to.

My grandpa just used an ax or hachet on a stump. Whack and it's done.

[Sniper-T]

bird hunting, when we get a runner, we just chase them down, grab them by the neck, like this:

http://www.bartneck.de/publications/2008/misuseAndAbuseOfInteractiveTechnologies/figures/figure01.jpg

and give them a spin, and they are dead instantly. A hard spin, rips the head clean off

If you want to bleed them, then a knife blade flat on your thumb, and a quick slice up and away. head's gone

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

How about a couple wraps of heat trace just up from the nipples?

NIPPLE UPDATE! Things have been doing okie dokie so far. All systems normal. Rooster gone, squirrels gone. Weapons need cleaning need to make more bullets..........I'm very proud of LadyHK. She dun good. I'm not even showing any signs of infection so far.......stitches seem to be holding.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Yes, placed him in the cone and I had him facing us but BWRR said to turn him around so he ended up cutting through the spine first instead of the jugulars and then hitting the spine to cut the head the rest of the way off. Not sure which is the correct way but I thought the vids I watched showed cutting from the front. Maybe it doesn't matter?

- - - Updated - - -



I hope it doesn't continue or I'll have to figure out who is doing it and off with her head. I hope I'm not going to lose all of them because of this.

In my defense I must have to explain myself here. The objective of turning the ASS of said rooster away from me was to keep the SHIT from hitting my fan cy face. I'll just leave it at that.

[Sniper-T]

Afraid your mascara would run?

...

:)

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Afraid your mascara would run?

...

:)

That's "Man-scara" you dipstick! Throw ina little guyliner and PISS OFF MATE! Gee I've been gone awhile. Why is it that everytime I start bantering with you Sniper I get hungry? Off to the fridge........

[Sniper-T]

hush big guy... you just need a cat-wich! all is good! and yeah, you've been missed too!

[helomech]

I just grab them by the head and spin them around. Much easier than the other ways. Just hold the head where it can't spin, and let the body spin around. Before they make a full spin the neck pops.

[eagle326]

If you hold the one to executed by the legs upside down they fall asleep. Put them in cone and they remain dazed and confused ; yet most likely they're asleep.
You can stand behind them and slit their throat very quickly with properly sharp knife and not be in the way of the spray. You can even use a good set of pruning shears ; ( long handle model ) to do the job quickly and with the least amount of pain. I try to make it as painless and quick as possible. It's just part of my Injun blood and respecting the critter.

But then again I had 2 roosters who tried to spur me when ever I fed the brood. Got up one morning and they did it again. Must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed. Went to house and got my 22 rifle and dropped their White Leghorn asses where they stood. Wife saw me throw them in the burn pit and asked if everything was okay. Said yep today's gonna be just fine.

[Sniper-T]

lol. but I gotta ask again...

cone?

[helomech]

A kill cone. It is a cone that you put the chicken in upside down. The head sticks out the bottom and you cut the head off. They can flop around and they bleed out real fast.

[eagle326]

lol. but I gotta ask again...

cone?

I have a few orange traffic cones I found abandoned by the roadside. Adjusted the small hole to accommodate head and neck and off to the frying pan we go.
Attach them to a backboard and have at it.

Or just hang upside down by feet and once they doze off , Off with their head !!!

[Sniper-T]

so you shove them head first into a traffic cone (of sorts) to isolate the head, and then behead them? Am I grasping this right? how tough is it to cone them? and why bother if you have hold of them anyways, why not just spin them?

I am clearly missing something here...
:(

[bacpacker]

Supposedly it's more humane from what I've heard. Probably less (at least more contained) mess during the killing. If you chop off the head and turn them loose they run for a while and spray everywhere. I assume breaking the neck I have used Bloodmeal before in the garden, but I'm not sure what it's from. It carries a good mineral content for the dirt.

[Sniper-T]

I don't know about more humane... but more contained. I believe. whack and let it do the funky chicken under wraps. Either way, dead is dead, and nerve action is nerve action... it's just under wraps! either way, if it allows a squeem to do the deed, go nuts!

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_li46pe1m8I1qh4nf6o1_500.gif

[eagle326]

so you shove them head first into a traffic cone (of sorts) to isolate the head, and then behead them? Am I grasping this right? how tough is it to cone them? and why bother if you have hold of them anyways, why not just spin them?

I am clearly missing something here...

:(

It's just one way ; like hanging them by their feet upside down. As they pass out you do the deed and let them bleed out and sip some coffee. Then give them a nice hot bath. I've done it many ways and each one works fine. I cut off enough from the small opening at top of cone so they slide in nice and easy.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Pretty much the same principle. We just pick up the chicken carry around hung up by his/her by their feet for a few. The cone we have is screwed to the tree (guess you'd need a picture?) but anyway head first into the cone. TURNing THE ASS AWAY FROM YOU, turn head and slice off with appropriate blade. Chicken bleeds out into bucket, no flopping, chicken ain't all jacked with adrenaline, make for better meat. Kinda like DRT big game.

[jamesneuen]

Any of you guys or gals wax dip yours to make plucking easier?

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

You're kidding right?

[jamesneuen]

about wax dipping them? nope. only really do it on the young ones that have the really fine feathers though. We did a big process at the start of each winter to cull out any non-egg producing chickens and any unreliable ones. We would freeze them till we wanted to eat them and then in the spring let the coop build back up again when they could start feeding themselves. Cut down a ton on how much feed we had to buy each winter.

[ladyhk13]

about wax dipping them? nope. only really do it on the young ones that have the really fine feathers though. We did a big process at the start of each winter to cull out any non-egg producing chickens and any unreliable ones. We would freeze them till we wanted to eat them and then in the spring let the coop build back up again when they could start feeding themselves. Cut down a ton on how much feed we had to buy each winter.

I'm not sure I follow. Wax dip (as in paraffin wax) instead of the hot waster and ice cool down bath to de feather? Seems like a very expensive way to go.

[jamesneuen]

you get the wax crazy hot above the melting point so it only puts a thin layer on it. 2 pulls and it's done. Never really paid attention to what kind of wax it was. My uncle was the one that did it for us and he died when I was 14 otherwise I would ask. It was brown colored so I doubt it was paraffin. Might not have been wax at all for all I know, he may have just called it that so I wouldn't be squeamish.

I'll ask my dad to see if he knows but I doubt it. He was never really involved in that kind of stuff.

[realist]

Now this last post by James was on a new page so I did not see what lead up to it. I am glad you are only waxing chickens....WTF never waxed them. The cone thing interesting. We used to slaughter the ducks and chickens at the same time and I would much rather do the ducks. No real finesse just one person holding the other would loop a noose over the head and another would chop. There were five of us kids and it went fast. Ususally we did about 100 at a time. We would just pluck them and burn off the pin feathers.

[Sniper-T]

brown in colour... Ear wax?

lol

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Yeeeah, that's kinda what I'm picturing. After dunkin a few I'm sure it'll look real nice. Waxing a chickin just don't seem right. As for the burning meithod, I used a propane torch.

[robsdak]

Any of you guys or gals wax dip yours to make plucking easier?

glad i read further, man i was gonna say this place has taken a whole different turn. waxing and plucking... who knew? :)

back to the subject (in hand), i have used both cone and the funky chicken, as for less mess and stress, the cone is the ticket. Eagle, mine at the time was sweet tea.

[Taz Baby]

For those of you who might need to know.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoqP0YOkG3c



http://razorfamilyfarms.com/animals/chickens/kill-them-with-kindness-how-to-make-and-use-a-killing-cone/


http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/easterly135.html

[jamesneuen]

Just to prove I'm not hallucinating,

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/poultry-wax/Poultry-Processing-Tools-Accessories

I did check with my father and it was a mix of beeswax from the local group my uncle was a part of and paraffin. The reason it was dark brown was because of being re-used. No idea why they did it but that's how they did it. I'll just take the chickens to a spa to get them relaxed first.

[Sniper-T]

We never assumed you were wrong, nor hallucinating... just maybe had a kinda strange fetish thing going on... Not that there is anything wrong with that!

...

[jamesneuen]

lol. my family has many strange traditions. half of them i never thought of until joining the military. more social things than anything else

[Sniper-T]

um... yeah... so you wax your legs... and your nether's, your kittens... ok. NP, we accept you... with your idio-sychrocities....Rock on Dude! Rock-on... Naked!

[robsdak]

um... yeah... so you wax your legs... and your nether's, your kittens... ok. NP, we accept you... with your idio-sychrocities....Rock on Dude! Rock-on... Naked!

+1 what he said!

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Nope, I still ain't buyin this one. I think the dude's droppin acid man! Does his wife even know about this shit? I mean I been across the pond a few times, stopped on a lilly pad or two but I ain't never seen the locals waxin chickens. Pressin ducks and stickin them up in the windows. A few headless animals running around but not waxin chickins! That's just perverted..........hell, and I'm Navy.

[Taz Baby]

I've been in the farm life a long time off and on and I ain't never heard of waxing any animals unless you were talking about killing them, like waxing as being the slang term for killing. But I ain't gonna call anyone crazy cause it comes back at you and I am crazy enough as it is

[Sniper-T]

Bump to this awesome thread...
Got any updates?

LH, here's something you gotta try!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWjxRwHTZiw

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

OH yeah you know that's been discussed as well as little hat's so they don't get frost bite.........sure encourage the woman, who needs "friends" when I got you?

After reading back on the thread........(RIP Brother)...........we slaughtered, uh "processed" about 40+ of our other birds that were being raised over at LadyHK's sister's place. We borrowed a friends "little wagon" that had a rig on it that had like 8 cones you could load with chickens on a rotating wheel. A hot bath for scalding complete with dunker to to do multiple chickens and then it had a washmachine type tub with rubber fingers in it with water jets that you threw the chickens in and put it on spin cycle. It made short work out of de-feathering them birds in just a few minutes. After that all you had to do was gut and prep to your liking.

Now that was a bitching "little wagon" I'll have to see if we have any pictures of this thing. But four of us did these birds, "bagged, tagged and freezer bound" in less than 3 hours, including clean up. If you're into doing meat chickens, this is the way to go. I'll have to get more intell.

The coop is running stellar by the way, thank you for asking. However I do have a leak I have been chasing on the south wall, it always gets hit with the rain there and it always manages to leak down inside the wall. It's coming from the windows somewhere. I just can't find it and it doesn't do it all the time.

[eagle326]

Originally called Whizbang chicken plucker. It's been out for a few years now and many people have made their own home made ones. Lots of you tube videos on DIY pluckers.

[ladyhk13]

OMG!! This is sooooooooo funny!! Love it. Wonder how it poops?


Bump to this awesome thread...
Got any updates?

LH, here's something you gotta try!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWjxRwHTZiw