Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

I've got a window in the back in place. It should be water tight.
I've cut circular mesh to go behind the round adjustabel vents. The mesh will be betwwen the dial and the coop.
I'm partway through cutting the top vent slots just below the roof. They'll be twice that size when finished.


I've put a louvered vent on the front. The front will face the wind when it swings to the South. Mostly the wind is Westerly.

I still want to paint the inside.



I need to pull the roof tighter to back on this side. The back wall edge has been badly cut. Rivits and a couple of brackets would be handy.


The 3mm diameter rod mesh ( Cattle panel on a roll )is on it's way. 12.5 metres long. 90cm tall, 75mm x 75mm holes, £80.00

I've had another read of Molpets hooped coop trying to make sure I'm not going wrong. The mesh should be stiff enough to just bend and hold it's shape once bent.
I'm still undecided about which quarter inch hole mesh to get. There are few that come on a roll to choose from. Stainless steel would be nice but it's very expensive. It's how good the galvenising is on the mesh that's concerning me.
I need at least 15metres of 90cm tall.
There's a bit of messing about to do where the run joins the coop.

Perris said:

I got a unipod at last; it definitely helps to keep the camera steady in low light.

My chickens are still junglefowl at heart. Can you see all 7 in this shot?
View attachment 3186819

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I count eight... maybe nine lol
And today I went for a hike in the forest and thought of (you guys) this potty conversation when I used a leaf after I watered the forest floor. It really happened, I kid you not
Oh gosh, do I have tax..? Tax!

Perris said:

Wiping has a long history; there is written evidence that they used leaves in ancient times. In India they combine the British tradition of a sit-down loo with a sort of short hose instead of loo roll, so you can wash without a separate bidet; clever adaption which works well there. Here of course we'd all freeze our arses off with a system like that!

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These systems are the norm in many countries in Asia and South America. 35 years ago my ant married an Uruguayan who couldn't believe how our toilets were made when he arrived in France. It was his first of a long serie of disillusionment toward the country of human rights. And I agree that french public toilets are some of the worse of all the country I've been to (in some I didn't dare use them like Egypt or Morocco end of 90s).

Perris said:

I'm not sure what you mean so here's the cheat sheet: the 7th is actually looking at you, and you may be able to spot her comb. The Swedish Flower's mottled plumage is just perfect for dappled shade; Venka is no. 5 View attachment 3186828

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It looks shady and cool under there, if you're getting 30 + c temperature this would be a wonderful place to be!

Shadrach said:

I'll try and get a picture. It's quite difficult with one hand.

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I would like to see the picture also, ask someone from the allotment, I'm sure they've already noticed you are obsessed with chicken photos!

Shadrach said:

Another warm day. Nobody wanted to look at the camera today.
I'm slightly concerned about the forcasted 36C temperatures early next week. The shade in the run isn't very good. The allotments, being where they are get an almost constant wind up the Avon Gorge and the coastal position of Bristol usually means it will be quite a few degrees cooler than the regional high. View attachment 3187559 View attachment 3187560 View attachment 3187561
Just getting too many eggs. C isn't selling any at the moment and I can't shift then all. Scrambled egg for the chickens tomorrow I guess.
View attachment 3187562

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Maybe you could go there a bit earlier on the warmest day or days to check how they are doing in the heat ?
Anyway of adding temporary artificial shade to the run , with an old sheet, or some material ?

I'm looking toward seeing how you build the new run. I really like seeing the pictures of the work you're doing on the new coop because I'm not always sure I understand correctly what you plan and why, and seeing it makes it much more concrete.

My partner has been doing something I really despise but I must admit he got impressive results.
He's been feeding broody Chipie who hangs around our table when we have breakfast and lunch.
He's getting her to eat in his hand whereas we have never been able to even approach her. She growls and growls but she now comes when he calls her. I really disapprove of feeding animals while humans eat but if he gets her to be a bit less defiant toward us I'll take it.

Our visitors have been doing very well with the chickens and cats, they are a very calm quiet couple into meditation and reiki and I think the chickens and the cats can feel this because they didn't seem stressed out as they usually are when we have people come over.

This picture is a bit blurry but I think it shows perfectly why Théo is upset.

TropicalBabies said:

I count eight... maybe nine lol View attachment 3187894
And today I went for a hike in the forest and thought of (you guys) this potty conversation when I used a leaf after I watered the forest floor. It really happened, I kid you not
Oh gosh, do I have tax..? Tax! View attachment 3187895

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I've done this countless times when I did ultra trail running but always with water https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/dispose-of-waste-properly/

At least they have a nice view

Glad to see you survived the hellish week @ManueB And that the visitors turned out to be less stressful than expected

ManueB said:

Anyway of adding temporary artificial shade to the run , with an old sheet, or some material ?

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That's a great idea; an old sheet fixed to the two top corners on the sun side of the coop/run and then to whatever can serve as poles or fasts on the other two corners would work OK, given it's hot but not windy with this weather system (at least, it would here; maybe the wind up the gorge makes it unviable there).

ManueB said:

It looks shady and cool under there, if you're getting 30 + c temperature this would be a wonderful place to be!

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That border is one of their favorite hangouts, summer and winter. Another in the summer is under a lime tree that has branches stretching out even at ground level. There is a natural roost for anyone that wants, the whole area is infused with a lovely green light as the sun is filtered through the leaves, and, just going over now, it emits the delicious scent of the lime flowers.

Shadrach said:

I need to pull the roof tighter to back on this side. The back wall edge has been badly cut. Rivits and a couple of brackets would be handy.

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The more additions you make, the more potential mite homes you create. Wouldn't something like a generous smear of vaseline fill the gap, stop any draught, and trap any creepy crawlies? It would need renewing of course periodically.

Shadrach said:

The 3mm diameter rod mesh ( Cattle panel on a roll )is on it's way. 12.5 metres long. 90cm tall, 75mm x 75mm holes, £80.00

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indeed Are you gonna get some help getting it to site this time?