Orpingtons as a good first bird with a young family?

[Stan79]

Started building the new coop last night with a load of wood i got free from work. I've got loads of ply and shiplap and it's turning into a bit of a beast!!! Pics up when i get a chance!

[Stan79]

5 weeks on and I still haven't got around to building a bigger coop yet. Anyone got any recommendations for a coop (no run) for 6-8 birds?

We're back to 4 eggs a day now after they started laying under the hedge for a couple of weeks!!!

[frias]

My bird feeders are ignored in favour of the layers. Chickens don't mind sharing either, unless a pigeon or magpie ventures in, then all hell lets loose.

[Stan79]

As for your columbian blacktail, strap lead weights to her legs!

[Stan79]

I really fancy one of these but my Columbian black tail probably weighs less than a rat! And what are the sparrows that hop in and out of the run each day going to eat?

The sparrows eat the (admittedly more expensive) bird seed in the bird feeders!

Hang on a second - you've just made me realise that!

[frias]

I really fancy one of these but my Columbian black tail probably weighs less than a rat! And what are the sparrows that hop in and out of the run each day going to eat?

[Stan79]

Birds are very happy with their new feeder as am I. It holds a full bag of feed and i can keep another in the shed ready to stock it up. The decrease in feed eaten per day is massive too! Just goes to show how much other 'things' were eating!!!

I'm going to build a larger, purpose built house (or buy one eBay if one comes up) to house 6 birds but without a run as they are happily ensconced in their new run. And then buy two White Stars so we get some white eggs!

[bearded bloke]

They mostly jump/flap onto the floor now, but it was used for a while when they were younger.

Leona (on the left black collar & tail feathers) is a Sussex, Dorean is a Bluebell (she looks whiter in the picture than in real life )

Thanks for the thanks Stan, it's entirely my pleasure

[Stan79]

Great. Thank you! That's got the old grey matter ticking...

Do they tend to walk up the ramp or jump / flap up onto the platform?

What breed are your two white ones?

Many thanks again. You are very generous with your time. It is much appreciated!

[bearded bloke]

Face view & normal contents




Side view




Dust bath below (note concrete blocks to keep the wood of soil)




Chooks

[Stan79]

Purchased!!!

We feed the other birds via feeders too so they'll be fine!

BB - would be good to see your feeding platform when you have time to get piccies!

[bearded bloke]

The only downside is that the "songbirds" can no longer nip in for a beak-full while the chooks aren't looking, so I throw a few pellets on the raised beds in the morning

[bearded bloke]

Thank you BB. Any particular reason you chose that version? There seem to be a few similar ones on the market.

It seemed the best compromise between needs, cost & effectiveness Stan, while it is not sold as vermin proof it certainly stopped my unwanted visitors
I chose the larger of the two models because it holds easily enough food to last my three birds for 6 weeks (one less job for the chook sitter when I'm away)

[bearded bloke]

How much was that BB, did they understand how to use it straight away?

For the first week I left a brick on the footplate, then there was a short period while they got use to the "clap" as they steeped off the plate after that all has been good

Is it water proof? Does the feed get damp?

# should read it first indoor feeder /semi waterproof. Ok outside in a sheltered area.

Where do you have yours BB

Food to date has not suffered from damp at all

Mine is on a "pallet based structure" in the corner of the run nearest to the coop, close boarded floor, staggered pallet wind breaks on tree sides (open on the normally lee side) with a plywood roof.
Same area is used to store excess feeders & drinkers, bag of grit (in an old swing-top bin), layers pellets & wheat grain (in galvanised dustbin with lid) & the poo picking bucket.
The structure is raised off the ground by approx 2ft in the area below is where the chooks take their dust bat
Will take some pic's this afternoon

[Stan79]

Ah - i thought i'd heard of something like that but didn't know what they were called so it was hard to google it!

Thank you BB. Any particular reason you chose that version? There seem to be a few similar ones on the market.