Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Chook house

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Created by dirtyharry > 9 months ago, 6 Jun 2011
dirtyharry
WA, 444 posts
6 Jun 2011 2:53PM
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Inspired by Poor Reli's shed building efforts I decided to make a chook house this weekend. Feeling pretty bloody happy with myself too. Jarrah window and corrugated iron from verge pickups, jarrah for the structure from the scrap yard for $40... and $100 for new wire mesh from Bunnings (too impatient to find a cheaper source). I'm 1.5m of 4x2 jarrah short to finish the door. Whoever said that making something makes you feel good was right.



Paradox
QLD, 1321 posts
6 Jun 2011 5:35PM
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Cracker of an effort!

GypsyDrifter
WA, 2371 posts
6 Jun 2011 5:27PM
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Top Job, all you need now is a suncatcher sticker on the windows and a chandelier

Herry
130 posts
6 Jun 2011 5:47PM
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Looks good . Love the coops built from scratch, they look so much better than the prefab chook houses that you just rivet together. (like mine!)









Can I make a teeny tiny observation without bringing you down?? It appears you have gaps between the frame and the corrugated iron. Make sure you make it fox and cat proof.





GalahOnTheBay
NSW, 4188 posts
6 Jun 2011 8:23PM
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Herry said...

Can I make a teeny tiny observation without bringing you down?? It appears you have gaps between the frame and the corrugated iron. Make sure you make it fox and cat proof.


With a name like DirtyHarry, maybe he's leaving the "proofing" to Benelli or Smith & Wesson

cam0063
WA, 56 posts
6 Jun 2011 6:52PM
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well done mate! You cold chuck a hammock in it and use it as a summer get away... Makes my farm chook run look dismal

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
6 Jun 2011 9:46PM
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Nice chook house!

...on the subject of chooks.....





My chook run is made from mostly recycled/reused materials. The nest box is obviously a TV, the feeder is made from and old light fitting that I found in a bin...

Now, if anyone has a couple of Plymouth Rock hens for sale...

Cassa
WA, 1305 posts
6 Jun 2011 7:58PM
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Looks like channel 7, or is it 9 , maybe 10

dirtyharry
WA, 444 posts
6 Jun 2011 8:10PM
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Thanks for the comments fellas - I had to come fishing for them on here as the missus and kids weren't too forthcoming with the compliments.

Herry - good point re the gaps. There's not to many and they're about 50mm, and I have been wondering about them. 50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers (and I remember reading somewhere that a mouse can squeeze under a door, although I'm not sure how relevant that is). I've also since discovered that I either need a wire mesh floor, or walls dug 500mm in, or something like that to stop unwanted guests from burrowing under. I'm wondering if a row of 350mm x 350mm x 30mm pavers around the inside perimeter would be enough.

Skid - I was wondering what to do about nest boxes. and you've just answered it for me. Old TV's it is!!

SandS
VIC, 5904 posts
6 Jun 2011 10:12PM
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that prime minister of ours .... she,s always on the box!!

Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
6 Jun 2011 8:21PM
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SandS said...


that prime minister of ours .... she,s always on the box!!


The nose, the beady eyes, the hair colour.... yep.

nebbian
WA, 6277 posts
6 Jun 2011 8:27PM
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dirtyharry said...

50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers


Believe it. Foxes especially...

In the end we rigged up an automatic chook door closer with an electronic timer, a washing machine solenoid, springs and latches, to close the door at 6pm... if it was left open longer than that the foxes would jump in and grab a free feed. And that was after we built the hilton with a proper concrete slab, metal cladding, the works.

They do burrow, they can get through something you wouldn't think twice about, and they can enlarge a hole if you let them. They often make holes in fences so they can go about their nightly business.

Crafty, cunning, and they just looooove a nice chicken dinner

Mark _australia
WA, 22090 posts
6 Jun 2011 10:21PM
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nebbian said...

dirtyharry said...

50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers


Believe it. Foxes especially...

In the end we rigged up an automatic chook door closer with an electronic timer, a washing machine solenoid, springs and latches, to close the door at 6pm...


A rifle.

theDoctor
NSW, 5765 posts
7 Jun 2011 1:39AM
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many a gen of chook

lucky not lost to a fox

but we see them hide, at the end of street when driving home

they can't hide long, craftey critters

chooks like family,

even dogs love chooks

cause

they eat the poo

and cop sly egg

and catch sly fox

n' play with tail

for weeks until

next fox come along

busterwa
3777 posts
7 Jun 2011 12:02AM
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sorry you are not allowed chickens or a chicken coup or any other sort of fun activitys in your backyard anymore..
poor chickens ;-(
no axcess for disabeled chickens.
not enough car parking spots for chickens
no fire management plan for chickens.
no Alteration hazard analasis of affecting exits and paths to exits side and rear setback of structure
no building permit
no termite risk assesment
unauthorized clearing of native weeds.
public hazard sinage "beware of chickens"
no chicken emergency evacuation plan.
.
no smoke alarms

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
7 Jun 2011 9:41AM
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busterwa said...

sorry you are not allowed chickens or a chicken coup or any other sort of fun activitys in your backyard anymore..
poor chickens ;-(
no axcess for disabeled chickens.
not enough car parking spots for chickens
no fire management plan for chickens.
no Alteration hazard analasis of affecting exits and paths to exits side and rear setback of structure
no building permit
no termite risk assesment
unauthorized clearing of native weeds.
public hazard sinage "beware of chickens"
no chicken emergency evacuation plan.
.
no smoke alarms



Your details say you're in WA, not Vic?!

BabaORiley
WA, 434 posts
7 Jun 2011 7:59AM
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Had chooks now for 2 years and across the road we have 30acres and have seen foxes drivin home of night but have never had the sly buggers take a chook, my prob is with the crows that theif my eggs and laugh at my scarecrow. Any good ging designs out there. Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.

Top coop DH, chooks must give out a few bum berrys for your love

poor relative
WA, 9084 posts
7 Jun 2011 8:38AM
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Brilliant work!!
You got me thinking now........

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
7 Jun 2011 12:46PM
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BabaORiley said...

Had chooks now for 2 years and across the road we have 30acres and have seen foxes drivin home of night but have never had the sly buggers take a chook, my prob is with the crows that theif my eggs and laugh at my scarecrow. Any good ging designs out there. Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.

Top coop DH, chooks must give out a few bum berrys for your love


www.jetsongreen.com/2011/03/modern-chicken-coop-designs-studioh.html

If you search the site, there are a few on there...

Bird/animal-lovers please don't read on...

To get rid of crows you'll need a few tent pegs, good gloves, an open paddock & a live crow - I started typing the 'how to do it', but decided against it as no matter how it was written, it didn't read very well.

doggie
WA, 15849 posts
7 Jun 2011 10:57AM
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Mark _australia said...

nebbian said...

dirtyharry said...

50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers


Believe it. Foxes especially...

In the end we rigged up an automatic chook door closer with an electronic timer, a washing machine solenoid, springs and latches, to close the door at 6pm...


A rifle.



If barn sees that you will be in trouble

felixdcat
WA, 3519 posts
7 Jun 2011 11:38AM
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BabaORiley said...

Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.



do you think that would work with coloured boat invadors?[}:)]

Paradox
QLD, 1321 posts
7 Jun 2011 3:25PM
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Sailhack said...

www.jetsongreen.com/2011/03/modern-chicken-coop-designs-studioh.html

If you search the site, there are a few on there...

Bird/animal-lovers please don't read on...

To get rid of crows you'll need a few tent pegs, good gloves, an open paddock & a live crow - I started typing the 'how to do it', but decided against it as no matter how it was written, it didn't read very well.


Well I'm intruiged....you can't just stop there.

My Grandmother just used to feed them ratsac flavoured mince. Worked a treat apparently.

GreenPat
QLD, 4083 posts
7 Jun 2011 3:28PM
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busterwa said...

sorry you are not allowed chickens or a chicken coup or any other sort of fun activitys in your backyard anymore..
poor chickens ;-(
no axcess for disabeled chickens.
not enough car parking spots for chickens
no fire management plan for chickens.
no Alteration hazard analasis of affecting exits and paths to exits side and rear setback of structure
no building permit
no termite risk assesment
unauthorized clearing of native weeds.
public hazard sinage "beware of chickens"
no chicken emergency evacuation plan.
.
no smoke alarms



Ados
WA, 421 posts
7 Jun 2011 1:33PM
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wicked chook house DH.
Unfortunately, due to some neighbors, I had to sell my lovely chooks, even though I complied with local regulations. we have a pretty small property in suburbia so I guess its always a risk. I bear the neighbors no ill
.
Make sure the chooks get out for a bit of a run around during the day when you are home. even an hour makes a difference to their mental and physical well being. Just be careful of letting them into your vege patch .

They like scratching around so feed em some grain mix and don't forget the shell grit for egg production.

BabaORiley
WA, 434 posts
7 Jun 2011 2:39PM
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Peace can be made.


japie
NSW, 6683 posts
7 Jun 2011 9:54PM
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Our black Australoppers have just started laying. I have had a word about the size of the bum nuts but I cannot criticise the quality. You have to crack them to get them open and I have yet to break a yoke and the colour is different.

I let them out every day,(they have a big run), and their antics always have me spell bound. When they go to roost they talk to each other for ages.

It is very soothing

Skid
QLD, 1499 posts
8 Jun 2011 1:40PM
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japie said...


I let them out every day,(they have a big run), and their antics always have me spell bound. When they go to roost they talk to each other for ages.

It is very soothing




I hear ya Japie...
When I was getting my chook run ready, I mentioned to my girlfriend that I might install an auto feeder, auto waterer (is there such a word?) and a 'roll away' egg box that allowed me to collect the eggs without having to go into the run. ie minimal effort.
Now, when I get home from work, I go in the run, give each chook a little pat and dig some worms up for them with a pitchfork....

Ados
WA, 421 posts
8 Jun 2011 12:09PM
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japie said...

Our black Australoppers have just started laying. I have had a word about the size of the bum nuts but I cannot criticise the quality. You have to crack them to get them open and I have yet to break a yoke and the colour is different.

I let them out every day,(they have a big run), and their antics always have me spell bound. When they go to roost they talk to each other for ages.

It is very soothing




I had 3 Australorps and they were awesome birds. very gentle and used to sit on my lap for some mealworms for which they used to go nuts for.
Very consistent layers and I reckon I got one egg each most days and in the heat one each every other day.

poor relative
WA, 9084 posts
8 Jun 2011 1:22PM
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We're getting chooks.
The old shed in the corner was going to be thrown out or at least 'verged'
Following this thread its gonna be converted to a chook house with the run under our massive grape vine.

Thanks Dirty harry LOL

pi22api22a
WA, 150 posts
8 Jun 2011 1:32PM
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We had two isa browns, got one egg each per day, good size too. Made up a good size run for them and got a 2nd hand chook house, nothing flash. Sold them though as they were digging up the newly planted garden.

Didnt mind a bit of digging / scratchin, but did get a bit annoyed about them sitting on the doorstep begging for food scraps (crapped all over door mat! lol)

Will def get some more after the move,, great recyclers and kids love em



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Chook house" started by dirtyharry