Comments on: “Backyard Chicken Coop”, Roosting Bar & Manure Box

By: Judy Jo

Judy Jo — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:07:44 +0000

Bonnie we have found that the roof over the nesting boxes should be on a slop that way they chickens cant stand on them and make a mess… hope that helps.

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:11:20 +0000

Judy, I tend to think of chicken tractors as temporary, or daytime, rather than an actual coop. Hens do like a roosting bar at night. Thanks for your great comment..VintageGardenGal

By: judy

judy — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:57:52 +0000

I’ve been checking out plans for a chicken tractor and it seems that none of them have roosting bars. I’m glad I found this site and your information, because it seems like a pretty important element to me, and I’ll be integrating roosting bars into my plans.

Thanks.

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:05:10 +0000

Cheryl, maybe something worked. If she persists in sneezing, wheezing, you might want to take her to a vet who specializes in chickens in your area. Thanks for sharing…VintageGardenGal.

By: Cheryl Albert

Cheryl Albert — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:36:18 +0000

Hi Bonnie,
Just found this site and needless to say, the information is priceless!
I am new at raising chickens and swore that I would not name them in fear of becoming too attatched. Well……One is named “sneezy” because she sneezes all the time. About 2 wks ago she started sounding very croupy also and I brought her inside and fixed the cat carrier for her to stay in. After putting her bedding in, I fixed her some warm applesauce along with a bowl of water. I then wet 1/2 of a small towel , warmed it in the microwave and rubbed some Vicks Vaporub into it. I then held her with the warm side of the towel on her chest and gently rubbed her beak with the little bit of vicks left on my fingers. I put her in the carrier about 45 minutes later and awoke the next morning to a much happier, healthier chicken. She still sneezes but sounds normal again-no more croupy noises and labored breathing. Crazy huh?

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:55:35 +0000

Austin, glad to be of some help…VintageGardenGal

By: Austin

Austin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:02:19 +0000

Thanks for the information – we just got two red sex link hens today. We’re still trying to figure out the best spot for the roosting bar. After reading your info that has helped. The inside of the coop is small, but knowing that’s where they’ll poop helps to know how to situate it…

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 15:57:22 +0000

Tahmina, you should be okay for now. Hens can somewhat jump/flutter to a high nesting box. However, keep in mind, as your hens age it will be more difficult for them to get to their nesting boxes. I suggest you lower them now while building them. Thanks for your comment….VintageGardenGal

By: tahmina

tahmina — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:46:08 +0000

We are over half way through building our new (bigger) chicken coop, and the nesting and roosting area is sitting at one metre above the ground, with a ramp (with rung steps) to get up. But the ramp looks long and I’m not sure the chickens will make it up there. Now is the time to lower it if I need to. Do you have any experience with the height of the ramp that they can manage?

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:44:58 +0000

Ann, I am unfamiliar with Gail’s book. I can only give you my suggestions. I like to remove the manure out of the coop everyday, and compost it along with my kitchen scraps. I would be afraid of ammonia building up in your situation. You can always try it, and see if this method is successful for you. Thanks for sharing….VintageGardenGal