Cheap Way to Raise Chickens: FREE Roost!

Michael and I decided the chickens needed a roost inside the run, so we used an old broom handle and wired it to the t-posts. It was FREE, works great, and they seem to love it. Every time I look out the back door one or more of them are up on there. Foghorn just hangin' out on the roost.Today the gang finally emptied their food bucket. It has been exactly two weeks since we originally filled it up. The coop is working out great so far. The only issue we have had involved the water bucket, and truly it wasn't the buckets fault. The building is not level, so you had to sit the waterer in the same exact position at all times for it to work correctly. We tried to add a screw in the bottom and hang it from the rafters but the screw must not have been centered, and that didn't work either. Dad found an old waterer he used when he had chickens many years ago and gave it to us to try. It is working, but it too has to sit in that one exact spot. Looks like we are gonna have to level the building up or fix us up one that can hang with it centered properly. Dad also loaned us a feeder he used for his chicks. We put it in with Crowbar. I think he is doing a little better. Hopefully all his feathers will be back soon. Gertie and Blackie wanted to know what we were up to. and what the chicks were up to. They were just hanging out in a little huddle hiding from her. I shared this post at Homestead Revival's Barn Hop.

Cheap Way to Raise Chickens: Chicken Coop Progress

Michael and I picked up a couple bags of pine shavings at Tractor Supply for $4.49 per bag. One bag was plenty enough. We just stuck the other bag in our storage building until we need it. I read somewhere that it is best to use white wood shavings and not hard woods. I think pine is a white wood. Right? I also read somewhere that cedar is toxic to chickens. We avoided it just in case. I put some chips in the nesting boxes and will add some hay on top tomorrow.

Look like enough in the floor?

Michael found a board we had here around the house. He used an ax to make knicks all around the board where he wanted it to break, then just stomped it. It snapped and was the right size. We just put in there under the nesting boxes to give the chicks a boost so they can get in there. Does it look about the right height?

Then the piece of wood that was left from thre break he nailed in the other corner for them to roost on. I hope they will like it. If not, we will cut a limb and use.

Tomorrow we will figure out how to add a window and screen. Also we will need a door out into a run. We will work on that and the run tomorrow as well.

Wish us luck!

The board we used was FREE. The wood chips were $4.49 + tax. Total OOP so far $4.49 + tax.