Monday, March 29, 2010

This was our second coop to make, and we did it in a week ! (there are still somethings I have to do before I put the girls in...but for the most part its done)

We had to hurry cause DH was leaving.

My one and only concern is the ramp, its too steep and I havent created a cover for that pop door.
I also need to finish painting the nesting boxes.
Be nice, but be honest please.

Run is 8x4x36in tall,
Coop is 4x4 (tallest point) + nesting boxes

Here are the photos:

PhotobucketAccess Door, locked up, and 5 year old proof.

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View, its up next to the house, figured I wont want to move it on my own next winter, and thats probably least draftist spot.

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View of the front of the coop, with ventilation.

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View of the too steep of a ramp.

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Nesting boxes, not complete. I tried spray paint...its not going to cut it.

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Ventilation above nesting boxes.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Sick baby! Awe.

What a crazy week its been.
One of the little black chicks, a "black sex linked" girl. Has a yuckie butt. Gross eh? Her little vent is swollen, red, and sticking it. It appears she is "backed up" for some reason. I soaked her little behind in caster oil and she pooped shortly after. I also added Apple Cider Vinegar *with the mother* into her water, and separated her from the flock so she could recover. 24 hours later she was still chirping away, appeared to be pooping, but her vent is still red and swollen, sticking out. I put her back with the flock, if it hasn't killed her yet then its probably not a virus or disease. I'll just keep an eye on her. The poor thing thou, it seems that Caster Oil is not the easier stuff to get off a chicken! Her behind is still oily and wet looking 2 days later!

They are getting big ! Wow! I'll have to post new photos tonight. Lance and Cornbread are HUGE (to me anyways) and are very alert, they just stare at me while I watch them all hustle around in the brooder box. They all appear to be a little timid of me still...but in another week I'll handle them more. I don't want to stress them out or make them sick! So next week we will continue chickie play time....maybe even with crickets! :) I'll have to video tape that one. LOL

I did end up bringing the box in the house one night. My dear sweet hubby approved the idea. They made it until about 1am when we couldn't handle the chirping anymore, they got moved to the bathroom. Then the next day I put them back out in the garage. They were wonderful to watch thou! Such cute and interesting little things. And its not like they were "loud" it was just a constant "chirp" noise.

Chicken chores this week: changing the pine bedding, fill feed and water twice a day, check for pasty butt, take extra care of the sick black sexlink, give them a stuff animal to roost on, and adjust the heat lamp down 5 degrees...they are now at a comfy 95 degrees F.

Getting big girls getting big! Soon you will be making me yummy fresh eggs, and I'll give you kisses everyday for the eggs. Yay! :P I hear I have an "awkward teenager" stage coming up, where their feathers look funny and they are all silly. haha I cant wait!

**Hunny