Birds finally learned how to use the perch.. I opened the hatch and thought they all flew the coop then 6 little heads popped out from the roof

Some one got in the coop. Dang thing ate three of my ceramic eggs, didn't walk away from this one.

Round one and two of coop protection. Cut some cattle panel I had and used fence nails to block under the coop. So the chickens can't get under there and also keeps other animals out. Then finished the fence around the run and finally welded it up.








I also have a trap set. Think we have a coon that has been getting some of the chickens at night.

Walter

Not sure why the other two pictures aren't working.










Grass in the backyard is starting to come in. Ready for it to fill out.

Walter

Did you retrieve your ceramic eggs.......

I wanted to, but I was at work and the wife freaked out so she had the neighbor come get it out and they didn't

Walter

Okay all you chicken enthusiast, how do you keep RATS out of the chicken coop? Thought about poison-nex it because of cats and other animals that might eat them. They are a nuisance crawling all over the place.q
HELP

Remove the food. Hand feed the hens once or twice a day.

If you have rats living in the coop, get them out and they shouldn't be back if you remove their food.

Had another culprit try to get in the coop tonight. After work I was out with the chickens checking their pen and giving them treats like every night and I caught this guy just on the other side of the fence headed to the coop had my wife bring my gun out but he disappeared before she got there. I knew he would be back so I ate dinner then came back out and caught him with a rake half way into the coop. I'm not a snake guy and with a little kid running around he didn't make it.




Walter

Walter you need some cats to keep them snakes in check!

Chicks are getting big and my rooster is starting to show some color

Nav, I have a stray cat that now calls our place home, it was someone's house cat because it has gotten in our house and does great. So it spends some time inside if we are home but most of the time outside. She is a snake and mouse killing machine most of the time. I was working in the chicken run in the back corner and have let the grass go too long behind the fence, there is also a big pile of rock back there. I saw the snake when I was bent down in the corner and it scared the crap outta me so I had my wife bring out my handgun but couldn't find it. So I got the cat to come back out there and I started to weed eat around the back. I knew the snake would be back. After dinner I came back out to lock the chickens up and check for the snake and sure enough it had come back around the other side and I caught it just as it was climbing up the side of the coop to go through the chicken wire and get inside. The cat was actually not far behind it and I had to get her away before I pulled it off with the rake and then we shot it.

Walter

Lol sounds like an interesting day!

trust me I hate snakes. Even knowing that it was just a rat snake I still wasn't a fan. The thought to burn down the back forty feet of my property with a torch sorta crossed my mind.

Walter

HA!

So I was always told you need a rooster so the hens will lay eggs. Recently, someone told me that's not true. So other than needing a new generation to hatch, why or why don't you need a rooster?

A rooster will give it's life to save the hens. They are very protective and will alert the hens to run for cover.

Roosters are loud. A neighbors rooster crows at 4am often. While they serve a purpose, hens will do just find without them. If you were to "free range" some hens, you may want a rooster.

Exactly that. I'm trying to avoid all that rooster mess, but the girls need to earn their keep too. Sounds like I can keep my girls pimp free.

Thank you, sir.

Our rooster is pretty good. Doesn't make too much noise and somewhat protects the hens. We've had two snakes get into the coop now and none of the chickens have messed with them nor has the rooster but he is cool to have around and is not mean to people.

Walter

It happens, found this one the other day. They keep the mice away.

Payne, so does my cat, but I feel a lot less like she will kill me.

Walter

Everyone send Payne a kitten!

It won't kill or even bite you if you leave it alone

cman sthu

I have a litter packed and ready to ship.