BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 i cant afford a cube so for the time being, so i am making a new chicken house with left over and recycled wood (its really sturdy, pretty), in fact its a copy of my old dolls house (with a nesting box attached). i have been offered some left over stable matting (rubber like material which goes on the floor of stables), and wondered if i should line the whole interior of the house with it as i have been offered enough to do this. using this would ensure that the whole interior would be easier to clean thoroughly i.e power wash it. what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Sounds like a good idea for use in the house - easier to s"Ooops, word censored!"e off the droppings and power wash. As long as they still have somewhere to dig about outside in their run it should be fine! Sounds like a great project - pictures when it's finished please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 You would need to check that the dreaded red mite are not lurking underneath it from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 That would be my only concern - unless it was 100% stuck down with glue, it would be the most perfect hiding place for red mite. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 That would be my only concern - unless it was 100% stuck down with glue, it would be the most perfect hiding place for red mite. Sorry. Either this, or make it well removable so it could be taken out and washed regularly. My feeling would be to keep the floors, sides, joins etc. as smooth as possible - just needs to be easily cleanable and as free as possible from nooks and crannies (or even crooks and grannies) where the dreaded mite mite (might?) lurk. I have a homemade coop and I have the floor, walls and roof in plywood which has no joins and so is pretty easy to clean. I have made roosting bars, like the omlet ones, that fit on top of the floor and will lift out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted October 3, 2007 Author Share Posted October 3, 2007 my plan would be (whether right or wrong). to completely undercoat and gloss (oil based) the frame. to completely glue the matting down and double gluing either on the top or bottom a second strip of matting, havent decided yet. perhaps theres even a chance to seal with sealant the first layer joints and then adding the strip on the top (or under). if that makes sense!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Belt and braces eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Love your user name ! I should've called one of my girls Gertie McSquirty - I think you can imagine why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Love your user name ! It always makes me think of Hairy McClary from Donaldson's Diary, Bottomley Potts...covered with spots, Muffin McClay...like a bundle of Hay etc. My children used to absolutely love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 well i've had a busy day, being a perfectionist on my chicken house, i have played with the design alot today. and put the undercoat on prior to glossing tomorrow. my friend is coming in the morning with a spare (and free) feather board fence which i am going to chop up for the exterior. i am proud that it has cost me nothing so far as all the neighbours keep asking what i am doing - then they are giving me oddments of wood that have been kept in their garages (all appears new). i have been offered some fox prevention chicken wire, which may do half of my run. im proud that i have managed to recycle everything (even the screws), and gained a warm house last night by throwing the oddments onto my wood burner. the only thing is what colour should i do the house? i am tempted with a bubble gum pink. but i might opt for a jade green as i have a huge tin of paint left over in my garage. oh and my user name is the nickname of my dog, it was that or the nickname of my cat "skinny malinky" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Go for PINK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Pink walls, green roof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Pictures please. I won't ask why your dog is called Bertie McSquirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Glad to hear the house building is going well. But, just to add that chickenwire will keep chickens in, but not foxes out, they can easily bite through. Maybe some stronger mesh for the run? Hope the neighbours can come up with something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Hello Bertie McS!! What about these shades? Any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I like the pink one in the middle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I thought I'd seen a pink one with a green roof somewhere before! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I'm very tempted to get one to put in the corner of the garden for decoration....they really are nice! Think cream, with a green roof..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 Mmmmm decisions decisions......now im in a quandry- i like both the pink one and cream one with the green roof!!!! (might have to make 2 but there again my hubby will be having kittens if i did that) my niece chose bertie's name - my 6yr old son started to add Mcsquirty to his name when he was doing rhyming a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 my niece chose bertie's name - my 6yr old son started to add Mcsquirty to his name when he was doing rhyming a few years ago. That's a relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERTIE MCSQUIRTY Posted October 5, 2007 Author Share Posted October 5, 2007 i've got my hubby's friend coming round on saturday with his dad - they've both kept chicken all their lives. they will have a look at the wire that i am getting today (although i have been told that it is the stronger wire and not the basic chicken stuff) my neighbours (now deceased) hubby had a roll left over from his small holding and never had a fox break through it despite the fox sleeping next to the run for years. i am also at home most of the time and the dog is outside all day, there's very little chance that the fox will get in the garden as my dog is very sensitive to foxes and dare i say it Rats. we live in a rural area - mind you never say never! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
