My 16 laying chicks get out of the brooder and into their new home tomorrow! 5 BR's, 5 Austrolorps. 3 RIR, and 3 GSLs. The run is done and safe, and their coop will be done tomorrow (flooring, feeder, and watering system are all that needs to be done). I'll also dig a trench to run permanent power to the coop.

4.5 weeks old, been decreasing the temp every week, and they will be heading into an insulated and heated coop, so I can regulate the heat in there just fine. I am seriously considering moving my 4 CX chicks (3lbs each, so it is hard to call them chicks) in at the same time. I would think the CX couldn't get up to the taller roosts, nor would they be able to chase the laying hens since they are slugs. I'll try it for a day I guess.

Wish us luck.

Good Luck ! ! At least you have good weather for the move !!

andy let me know when you are going to start selling eggs

Andy, you never slow down is it time to remodel the house yet? looks good and well thought out... I think the chicken adventure has just begun.

Larry, about 3 months for eggs. July or there about. One Way, if I stop moving, I get fat.

Got a lot done today, even after taking time out for Ryan's soccer game.

Made an industrial type watering system for the coop. 6 nipples cost me $12, and shipping was $11. Should have bought more. Also added linoluem flooring. It was free, but I tore that corner putting it in. One building skill I suck at.


There is a 5 gallon bucket that is the storage tank. I'll hook up a gutter to supply it with water later, and rig an overflow. I know, got sloppy with the glue. It'll hold.


Made a feeder out of a home depot bucket. Total cost was $3.24 for the bucket and $4.89 for the planter base. Had the sheet aluminum, so I made a cone, drilled some holes, and attached the planter base to the bucket. Add some feed and it works!





Now it is time for MTV chicken cribs since food and water were covered. Added some comfy pine shavings, so to the left is the watering station.....


...and to the right is the ladder to the loft and the feeder.

I covered up the nest box until I get that finished, and they are still about 15 weeks away from laying. Might as well keep it clean.

Taking a trip up the ladder leads you to the the executive roost/loft....

There is a removable linoleum sheet to catch the poop under the roost. Nice view of the property from there as well.

Moved the chicks in and then opened the auto door. That Barred Rock is the top hen, so she ventured out first. She's a real sweety, and likes to hang out on my lap.


After the lead hen said all was good to go, the rest followed suit and had a great time in the run.


I add the cover netting, permanent wiring, and electric fence tomorrow.

andy i used to get fittings like those from Isaacson's in aberdeen if you want to add more

Man, buying nipples by the dozen and chicks sitting on yer lap, this thread is going somewhere. . . . .

Nice looking work Andy, all I did today is wire lights in my boat and fish wire under the deck for more power . . .

Isaacson? Don't know them. Checked all the feed stores in the area before I ordered them. I have another similar system for my meat birds, but would like some more for a friends project. I'll look them up, thanks Larry.

There is also an Issacson's just off the hwy near Black Lake rd. It is an industrial supply type place I think...

isaacson industrial supply, there down on the port dock
did not see oregonian reply. same company they have several stores

Thanks guys. I'll check them out tomorrow.

I made a gravity waterer out of a 5 gallon bucket and a planter base. $5. Also finished the run today. Just gotta install the electric fence.


I won't say it is raccoon proof, but they are gonna have one hell of a time getting in there, if they can get past the electric fence.

Not the country.

Checked on the delivery date of my 15 (turned into 25) Cornish Cross meat chickens today and they had about 50 extra turkeys, so I bought two. Two turkeys and 25 chicks wil come home on Wednesday. Should be fun! These are the "Bronze" models.

That'll keep those cornish thugs in line. . . . .gobble gobble. . .

So what did the "Gold Models" look like?

Dibs on some of the feathers before the other fur and feather flingers

No Gold, but there are:

Bronze (including broad breasted)
Narragansett
White Holland
Black Spanish
Beltsville
Royal Palm
Auburn
Buff
Chocolate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_turkey_breeds

I'll have some feathers around Thanksgiving and again around Christmas, providing that I don't kill them. They will not be attached to the cape. Killing days will be 22nd of November and December. Swing by and you can have your pick.

In the continuance of my unhealthy obsession with my chickens, and my propensity to build things when I am bored, I built an integration/segragation pen. I put my meat birds in there.


And everyone wanted to see the new folks.




I'll use it as a place to keep sick birds, keep broody hens, and start batches of chicks as well.

Hey Andy,

Just wanted to give you a on a great project and pictorial to go along with it. It's been fun watching this endeavor evolve.


I think you should put a little sign on the new house..

entitled..

"Death Row"

I raised two turkeys. They both died of natural causes one a few days before Thanksgiving and the other, yeap Dec 23. One was found still warm and we saved a hind quarter and it weighed more than most birds whole.

By natural, you mean hatchet?

Maybe it was all those internet videos he was filming.