The secret of using chicken wire is to secure it to stable posts that will not wobble and that are cemented in so they will be stable for a long time. Staple (1 to 1-1/2") to your starting post. Be generous stapling every 1-2" the whole length. Get a couple 2x4's that are the same length as the wire is high. Staple the end of your wire to one of the 2x4s (the 4" side) again being generous with the staples. Than using 3-1/2 to 4" deck screws tightly fasten the two 2x4s together with the wire (stapled to one 2x4) between them. (you have just made a cheap fence stretcher). one get a chain or strong 3/4" rope about ten feet long and fasten 1 end of the rope/chain to the ends of your fence stretcher (be sure it is fastened so it won't slip-best to staple it in place. Using a few 'good strong friends' or tie it to you garden tractor or a trailer hitch on your vehicle. Slowly stretch the fence past the second post until it is very tight (but not so tight you pull the anchor post out of the ground. Fasten the wire to that second post again generously with staples. Do this with each post until completed. You may have to cut the fencing so it can be fastened to the a post (or building) that you can't stretch the fence close enough to fasten it, then stretch it toward the post that you can get to. When chicken wire is tightly stretched predators can bit on to it to tear a hole in it. Even mink cut their gums on it trying to chew through it. Note that even a cover run-flight-cage or what ever you want to call it you should always close up you birds in their coop at night. Just a safety habit we all should practice. They do have electronic hen doors the will close and open on a timer-but still not the same as doing yourself. Now that you are totally confused-just remember the tighter the fencing the safer your birds.

I've got a chicken info site here, with information, links, etc., including my experience with chickens: http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChick.htm You are smart to learn about chickens first, that way if something happens you can be prepared, and also can spot it quicker if illness strikes. The most important thing you can do for your birds is to house them securely (predators are amazingly strong and can be VERY determined to get a chicken dinner) and keep them healthy. If you aren't raising them for meat, expect to become attached to them, as chickens have loads of personality and affection to give. :) But if you fail to provide a secure home for them and a predator comes and massacres your flock, your going to have a whole lot of heartbreak and regret. It's happened a lot on this site, if you read some old threads you'll see it again and again. :( Also, sooner or later you will hear the siren call of raising chicks--either via broody hen or an incubator. Raising chicks is an incredible experience and one that shouldn't be missed--especially if you have children. You'll get hooked on raising chicks, so fair warning. :) feathersite.com has lots of pictures of chickens arranged by breed, with some breed/breeder info. eggbid.com has people offering fertile hatching eggs, chicks and adult birds. Mississippi State Univ. has a great poultry department online with info that can save your hide. Check in your area for an avian (bird) vet that will see your chickens--line one up now, BEFORE an emergency strikes. Most vets can and do see chickens, so if you catch flak from the staff, ask politely to speak to the vet and ask him. Read up on bird sites and bird books in general--chickens are, after all, birds, and a LOT of the information for parrots, cockatiels, etc. applies to chickens as well. Chickens have the intellectual and emotional levels of a human 2 year old child. They can and do show affection, get jealous, want revenge, pout, etc. Each bird will have a distinct personality all it's own. Decide in advance which breeds you want and be careful about mixing different breeds--don't put a single sweet bird such as a Silkie or Polish in with a flock of Rhode Island Reds (aggressive), for example. That's all off the top of my head, if you want or need to email me, feel free, :) Velvet ~:>

I have a room in my house that is very drafty and if I let it stay cold it keeps the rest of the house cold. I brought this heater from Target last year, I keep it on 24/7 on a low temp and after about a day running it has kept the room comfortable although not real warm. If I turn it up it will be smokey hot in there which I did not want to do. It has solved the problem. I checked my light bull and it did not change significantly over the year. I am wondering if this might be a solution for you? You are in zone 7 like I am and I have had no need for supplemental heat outside yet and my birds seem to be doing fine. Their whole pen is made of wire mesh with a box for them to go in at night. The temp has gotten pretty low and when it did the chickens stayed in their box huddled together for a while but for the most part they were business as usual. I did close their box on really cold nights though to keep out the drafts. HTH Here is a link that might be useful: heater

Thanks, Sharon. KWL pretty much shows it all but the walk-in pantry. (just linked it on a new pantry thread) I have house pictures scattered here and there but I try not to post "decent" pictures since they've turn up elsewhere on the internet in the past. The ceiling in the kitchen is 9ft. The great room peaks at about 26ft (or 28ft, I've gone blank) and the MBR peaks at 22ft. Our lower level has ceilings just over 10.5ft and it really makes a difference in the feel down there - more like a home, not a basement.