[Porffor]

I have a 1.5 plastic waterer and 2.5 feeder - for 2 hens these lasted about 3 days for water and feeder about a week when full.
Just to give you a guideline on changing water etc..

hadn't thought about cider vinegar in there.. but i have the small ones to fall back on too.

As for debit cards.. wise man! I had a credit card given to me by my bank and like a fool used it... i learnt the hard way i'll admit, but don't use them at all now. if i haven't got the cash in the bank i don't buy it!

[Foxy]

If you want things to sit on you get a goose  



You wont get much reading done though  

Oh yeh an they do more than sit  :roll:

Fantastic picture Vember! What a smashing goose!  

[poultrygeist]

There must be a caption for that photo !  

I can think of a couple but I'm not typing them  

You've obviously chosen your location well so that you can take on any animal that takes your fancy. Lovely to see many all mixed into one place. Well done vember.

Rob  

[Kate and her Ducks]

Vember - What have I told you about these geese pictures, you're not helping the will power

FCG - perhaps you better come and visit my girls and find out what a racket they make before picking ducks over geese!!! Admittedly not all breeds are as noisy as my campbells (my black girl is very quiet), and my neighbours like the noise - bringing the countryside to Liverpool
You are of course welcome to visit the ducks anytime, not just to hear how noisy they are!

[FCG]

Where should i put the roosting bar? I plonked it in yesterday but they seem to be reluctant to use it. It's quite far up and to the left in my coop and where it is if they use it they are level with the ventilation grille. Should i move it to the right and or move it lower? I'm just worried they don't have space to flap up there.

Here it is:



And in relevance to the vent & sides


Instructions please! I know a lot of peoples birds like the comertable warmth of the nest box and the floor but i want to maximise their pleasure and placate any natural roosting instinct. But i may be working against myself by making it very comfy with too much bedding.

Oh and Kate i'll probably take you up on that offer, i've got time on my hands and i'll gladly help clean out if you like. And bring bribes for friendliness for the ducks. Thanks for the tips on feeder/drinker size, i've ordered a 2L feeder and 3L drinker for them. And if anyone wants to see my chooks on Mikes ChookCam (TM) i'm in the garden live with a webcam over MSN if you like.

Vember, where are you in north wales? I may come and kidnap that goose around december 21st

[Kate and her Ducks]

In most evenings. Slugs are their favourites, none left in my garden

[chickchick]

In most evenings. Slugs are their favourites, none left in my garden

kate , ill post you some of mine if you like!!
w have varying types, approx 57 was the last count!

[Vember]

Vember, where are you in north wales? I may come and kidnap that goose around december 21st

I'm on Anglesey but I'd like to see you try, hand reared by moi an very protective, can't you tell how nasty she can be?    
  (if your ever over this way give me a shout kettles always on )


Thanks for the comments Rob,
I admitt I am very lucky in the fact I have land and wouldn't have the animals if I didn't  Also have a very nice hubby who put's up with constant stream of new 2 and 4 legged arrivals  

[poultrygeist]

It must be love !!  

Mike - I would be tempted to get a piece of 2x1 timber, shamfer or round the corners and just plonk it on the upper tier there. Or you could run it from one side to t'other at that height. I don't think they're too bothered about havign a gap below the perch, if you see what I mean.
As long as they have something high up they can grip their toes round, they seem to be happy. And if they can sit side by side all the better.

That piece of timber is probably a bit small for them to grip on. I've got branches in the run about 1.5" round and they wobble on that.

Rob  

[FCG]

Rob do you mean just lay the timber on the upper tier?

Personally i'm just worried about them being able to get up there. Or am i just worrying over nothing?

[poultrygeist]

Yes. But fix it down with something. Or put a slight spacer under it to raise it half an inch. I'm only going by what I've observed ours do. they sometimes sit on the edge of their 'bus shelter' with their toes curled over the edge.

Difficult to say if they can get up without seeing them in there. I would have thought they could flap up, but it may a bit narrow for them.

It's always difficult from photos due to lack of scale or perspective.

You could try a few things and see what they prefer. They will always do what they want rather than what they should. Some birds never roost apparently and come to no harm for it. As long as there's a suitable alternative such as a nest box. But then you'll get dirty eggs first thing.

Suck it and see as they say  

Rob  

[joe96]

Hey ive just set up an account im 14 and was wondering were you got te hutch from as i was going to use my rabbit hutch i built with my dad but is to small and coops arew to expensive thanks 

[Lindeggs]

Hello Joe96 and welcome to the site!

The thread you've posted in was writted back in 2008 so I don't know if you'll get a reply from any of the original posters, but hopefully someone else will be able to advise you where to get a bigger coop to keep your chickens in.

By the way, it would be very helpful if people knew your location so they can suggest places nearby.  Here's how to add your location to your profile:
Go to Profile (near the top left of each page)
Click on Modify Profile/Forum Profile Information
Scroll down to Location and add your location there.

Good luck!