Category: Coop

Getting the video back online

On By CarynIn chickens, Coop
Chickens all snuggled deep in their wings

The cameras in the coop and run have been offline since November. Every once in a while I would start the troubleshooting process, then give up because it takes forever and I was busy. The camera would connect, but not stream video. So frustrating. I finally carved out some time to disconnect the devices and bring them inside, where they performed perfectly. Huh. So I bought a repeater, and after more time spent moving it around to get the best signal overlap and extension, found a spot where the cameras would work again. I have no idea why they used to work just fine on the single router, but I’m glad that the repeater worked and I can see them roosting again. Especially since it is cold and it makes me feel better to see that they turn into nice warm fluffy feather balls.

Now that we have rolling blackouts, checking on the chickens via video is spotty. I do go out to break the ice off the water every couple hours because the heated water bowl doesn’t work without power. The chickens are all huddled in the coop, not happy, but surviving. No signs of black on the combs, and we are still getting eggs!

Wasp nest

On By CarynIn Coop, Wildlife
Dead wasp nest

A wasp nest in the coop that I sprayed a year ago finally fell down into the runs. I left it up because I read that if there is a nest, other wasps will avoid the area. Apparently people make all sorts of fake nests to psych out the wasps (yes, there are even crocheted decoys!) I just left the fumigated nest in place. We’ll see if I get new inhabitants this spring.

Keep the door closed

On By CarynIn Coop, Wildlife
Raccoon behind the coop

I had contemplated keeping the back door of the coop open at night to really let the cool air flow through the coop. There is a “screen” door with chicken wire instead of screen, but chicken wire won’t hold up to the attentions of a raccoon, and after the trail cam took a picture of a raccoon right behind the coop, leaving the door open is a definite no. In fact, I need to line the inner door with hardware cloth and put a heavy two step latch on it just in case a raccoon gets bold before I close the back door! (The solid door has three latches on it and a pad lock.) I had originally intended the inner door to only be utilized when I was out in the coop, but I found that keeping it as a breezeway after dinner makes a 10 degree difference in the inside of the coop. When the temperature in the coop goes from 95 to 85, it is worth airing out.

Armadillo behind the coop

The trail cam also took a decent picture of an armadillo behind the coop. There is hardware cloth buried all around the coop and runs to keep the diggers out.

Mister mister

On By CarynIn Coop
Mister set up up in the runs

It is 102 in the shade here in the afternoon. I have iced foot baths, lots of shade, an oscillating fan, cool treats, I water down the ground, but I haven’t tried a mister. I had a mister that I bought for humans, but the humans were not that impressed (the youngest human likes to be soaked, not misted), so out to the chickens it goes! Not entirely sure what the chickens think of it either, but at least they didn’t freak out when I set it up (no broken wings). Picking a spot was problematic. I didn’t want it to spray on them, or the food, or into the coop. I settled on the corner of the run where wind blows the mist either way.