Regrets

[Hen-Gen]

Years ago I bought some Buff Faverolle hatching eggs. When they were 15 weeks old someone rang me asking if I had any pullets. In a moment of rashness I sold them. I’ve never found any BF eggs since. Must remember, engage brain before heart.

 

[Marigold]

Not exactly a regret, but I think that, if I were starting again from scratch, and with a properly secure run, I wouldn’t bother with a coop. I’d just put up a choice of perches under a covered, sheltered area, and provide nest boxes instead. This would take up less space, be much cheaper to buy or make, avoid a lot of coop cleaning and redmite treatment, provide proper ventilation overnight, and probably be what the chickens would prefer.

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Radical, Marigold!

I only regret not saving my jubilee orps from the fox.

 

[rick]

Chickens are fickle creatures - sometimes they love a well chosen coop. Its cosy! Like you Mrs Biscuit, my biggest regret was not closing the door properly but thinking of some super free range set ups and the risk that comes with it - its all what a chicken might choose.

 

[Trappapapa]

Hi Marigold, I like your idea of starting again. I have a secure covered run and when I moved my chicks in (from the house) they roosted on the roof of the coop.....unsure if it was by choice or whether an older chicken was stopping them from entering the coop. But the reason I like your idea is not only did they seem very happy on the roof but previous to their arrival I had to do a ton of things to get rid of a mite infestation. So now I am wondering if I should follow your idea.....the coop is old but functional but my life would be a whole lot easier!!

 

[Marigold]

Hi Trappapapa, why not just put up a perch about 1 to 1.5 metres high, and see what they do? Then they have a choice. Minimal outlay, and if they don’t like it, they won’t use it, and you can take it down again.
I think it’s good to give them some shelter though, so the perch is dry and protected from wind and rain blowing sideways on a cold night. I’ve recently posted some pics of my setup using clear plastic tarp for weather protection round the perch. See http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=11230 which is just one way to do it.

 

[Icemaiden]

Buying drinkers from SPR Centre in Eastergate, West Sussex. They were faulty, not fit for purpose but the company have no regard for the sale of goods act and refuse to give me my money back
To add insult to injury, they'll take up loads of room in my recycling bin to get rid of :-(

 

[Trappapapa]

Hi Marigold,

Thanks for your suggestions and link to your photos....great! My issue at the moment is I have cockerels.....and so I have to shut them in and use an automatic door or my neighbours will not be pleased (I am in Ealing, London!). I am interested in your use of Aubiose.....my run is really quite large and so at this stage I wouldn't try using it there but I am keen to try it in the coops (I have two each in a seperate area). The whole run is covered and dry. On a different note I am going to post a qustion in Chicken health about timings for putting chickens together......