Nothing beats free, but when it's free AND functional, it really is amazing. We consolidated a fabric wall at work, and I got the piece that was leftover! After we took it out and it was sitting in the back room destined for the dumpster, I walked by and was hit with inspiration: My chickens would LOVE that. At first I had the idea to put it in the run, thinking it wouldn't fit inside my door. But I kept walking by it, and I kept wanting it more and more inside the coop where it would be more usable. So, I brought it home and went to work. I had to disassemble the whole thing, and all the screws were stripped, and I had to sledgehammer the front off, but I finally got it inside the coop! Then came the putting back together. That wasn't fun either, and I didn't have any of the right size screws, since the ones I removed were stripped. I had gone too far to stop, so I just kept going and got it usable. I wouldn't say it's perfect, because I still have to screw in and attach the corners, but they're doweled in and pretty tight, so I'm confident it will last for a while. Also, when the spring comes to clean the coop I may remove it to clean it again. And, as youngest pointed out, it doesn't look very good where there's no paint. So, that will have to be done again in the spring.
I fit the ladder back in, because they do climb on it and I want to be able to add nesting boxes up above next year when I get more chickens. The chickens got to free range for most of the day while I was monkeying around, they spend most of their time in the compost pile. They also like to get barked at by Neighbor's dog. Still no eggs, but after giving them such a nice gift tonight I expect one in the morning.
I am still raking the coop into the corner for a compost pile, and throw all our scraps there, I also throw scratch when I want them to turn it down a little more. The rubber bowl is working great, it stays thawed all day and in the morning is very easy to empty and change.
The chickens obviously like their new poles, they are much higher than the original pole was, but they are not happy I was shining a flashlight in their faces. I was worried they wouldn't figure out where to go, seeing as they have a certain order they roost in, but they are back to their old every other breed pattern. I didn't add the top roosting pole, thinking they wouldn't use it, but maybe I'll add it in the spring when it will be nice to sit by the vent windows.
I'm not positive, but I think this may be the nicest roosting poles for a chicken coop you can get. It's pretty classy.
