Recent content by bdjh

I'm picturing a prison yard, with the various gangs jockeying for control of certain parts of the yard. Only a matter of time before someone gets shanked, and there's a bird on a spit........

I wouldn't worry too much about it.....keep giving them their pellets, and occassionally something else for a treat. They may try it, or not. They certainly don't NEED anything else. I suspect once they start free roaming, that they'll realize there's more to eat than just pellets, and eat...

I agree with almost everything 1muttsfan said. The only thing that I don't think is necessary is the hardware cloth around the coop. It's a solid, plywood floor, so it really doesn't matter what, if anything, gets under it, they still can't get into it. You'll definitely want it all the way...

I hear you. It's often said that mosquito is the Manitoba provincial BIRD! I know they are very bothersome for horses and other livestock..... Once our girls are locked in at night, though, I can't say that I've ever seen any bugs in the coop at all. In any case, I've never heard of them being...

I think the mosquitoes are likely bothering you far more than your chickens. Chickens have been around for a long time....and no one has ever had to protect them from mosquitoes.

Looks like chicken heaven to me! Nice job!

Winnipeg here......personally, I think what you're proposing is overkill. They're chickens, not children. I hang 2 radiant ceramic heat emitters (meant for reptile tanks) in my coop to avoid any chance of fire.I've tried interior car warmers, but they just choked on dust. The big, red bulbs...

Beautiful! - Nicer than some places I've lived in....with better plumbing!

A wife who wants a table saw for Christmas......he's a lucky man. Do you like to fish, too?

Me too.....I've been kicked out of a few places for questioning the status quo..... a subway for pointing out the girl (the manager) didn't wash her hands after handling cash "You touched my bun after handling cash without washing your hands"....."Oh, for xxxxxx sake".....throws away tainted...

I find it odd that they would be nervous about a bridge.....they generally walk up and down ramps all the time, and perch on bars that are far narrower than what I'm assuming this bridge is like.....there's no trolls under the bridge? Perhaps an old man asking questions as a toll? If that's the...

Ron - you've exposed the 'science' behind homeopathy I suffer from x, took y, and got better, therefore x cured me. Sell x as a miracle cure for y, z, a, b, c,d, ......... Even better, I take q regularly, and have never come down with t, therefore q prevents t. Sell q as a miracle...

It could be that the bridge is a little too narrow for their comfort level. Once they cross it once, they'll likely be fine, but if you can't get them to take that first crossing.... 20cm sounds like it shouldn't be a problem if they fall in, but take my word for it.....chickens can swim...

Sounds like you've got great plans. My recommendation is to build nesting bars in front of the windows. My girls all jockey for position in front of the one window we have. They seem to enjoy looking outside. If they're locked up, and see us in the yard, they'll sound the alarm and start...

Nice mitre saw.....wish I had a stand for mine.....I end up with the "scrap of plywood between 2 sawhorses" method.