Outdoor living is becoming more and more important to homeowners. No longer are they using their outdoor spaces for entertainment purposes alone. Rather, they’re making outdoor living a part of their everyday lives.
With such a competitive real estate market in full swing, first-time home buyers might find it difficult to not only purchase a home, but also to make it fit their specific dreams. On top of that, times have become financially tough. You may have had to stretch your budget designated by your home loan preapproval to get your offer accepted, leaving you unsure of how many renovations you can take on upon moving in.
But know that there are projects both big and small that can enhance your outdoor living space, no matter how much money you’ve set aside for updates. To begin, set a renovation budget and brush up on some of these outdoor living space trends so you can revamp your home’s exterior this summer.
Outdoor Kitchens
As people spend more time at home, kitchens have become a staple in outdoor living. Outdoor cooking spaces give homeowners the ultimate opportunity to entertain guests and enjoy their backyards to the fullest. Outdoor kitchens are entirely customizable; you can pick and choose from a wide variety of cooktops, grills, countertops, and even refrigerators that fit your household’s needs. It can be as simple or complex as you’d like – just be sure that you don’t extend beyond your means and include components that suit your lifestyle.
Structured Rooms
Recently, outdoor living spaces began to double as structured outdoor rooms. Essentially, homeowners are bringing structure to their patios or decks by taking advantage of pavilions, gazebos, and pergolas. These structures serve as added protection from external elements like extreme sun and rain so that you can enjoy your outdoor living space in all weather conditions. You also have the option of screening in the room to keep out any unwanted critters or bugs, adding even more functionality and comfort. These rooms are also ideal for planning the perfect backyard staycation or even working from home in your backyard.
Backyard Playgrounds
More time at home has encouraged parents to invest more time and money into their backyards in the form of playgrounds. Backyard playsets have grown in popularity, and there are countless variations to choose from ranging in design and material. You can also add your own unique touches to this backyard trend based on the activities your children love. Perhaps you incorporate a treehouse, some lawn games, a swingset, or playhouse. If you’re on a budget, you can still build your own playground using some of these play area inspirations.
Vertical Gardens
Instead of increasing the square footage of your garden in the backyard, and taking up space that could be otherwise used for outdoor living, consider vertical gardening. This simply means placing your fruits, vegetables, or herbs on shelving, taking advantage of vertical space. You can build your own, repurpose old shelving, or browse the best materials for vertical gardning. Be mindful of the location you choose, as your plants will require specific amounts of space and sunlight to thrive.
Exterior Lighting
The foundation of a good outdoor living space is exterior lighting. Why? Because the proper lighting will allow you to spend time outdoors later into the evening, which is perfect for entertaining on those summer nights. Depending on the setup of your space, you may be able to integrate wired lighting right into your structure. If not, you can hang exterior string lights on any pillars or railings on your deck or patio. Or, line walkways with lights that stick into the ground. Lanterns and spotlights are also helpful for highlighting your favorite backyard features.
The options for updating your outdoor living space are endless. Create a budget, check out current backyards trends, and put your exterior renovation skills to the test.
As summer approaches, many people are starting to make their summer vacation arrangements. However, in the meantime, instead of daydreaming about how your vacation will be, you could have an early one right at home. How – you may ask? Well, we can tell you how to create the perfect backyard staycation. We have some fantastic ideas that we would like to share with you in this article. Furthermore, you may pick which structures are the best match based on your outdoor lifestyle and have your own backyard oasis. So, let us see how you can come up with the perfect backyard staycation ideas for you and your dogs.
Install a pool.
A great way to spend time outdoors, especially when it gets warmer, is by the pool. Furthermore, owning a pool does not require spending a large amount of money. On the contrary, you can have an inflatable pool or a stock tank. Even if you can’t swim as you would in a large pool, you can still enjoy spending time in the refreshing water.
At the same time, if you already have a pool, you can upgrade it. You can add a covered area near it, such as a lovely pergola, and furnish it with seating selections. With a few seats or wooden benches and a coffee table, you will have the ideal spot for socializing with guests. For staying in the water, you can have some pool floats. You can read a book or float on them while sipping your favorite cocktail. Now, that is what we call a fantastic backyard staycation.
Assemble an outdoor kitchen.
During hot days and evenings, everyone prefers to spend more time outside. And the best part is that you can do almost all of the activities in your backyard, including cooking. All you need to do is to set up a summer kitchen. Set up a dining space, bring out a grill and a cooler, and you are ready to go. If you want a kitchen that you can use all year, get kitchen countertops with a built-in refrigerator and a gas grill. In addition, you can make the kitchen area even more delightful with a bar. It will be the ideal setting for you to showcase your bartending abilities to your family and friends. Simply ensure that these constructions are sheltered from the elements and place them under a gazebo. That way, you will still be able to spend quality time outside, even if it’s a rainy day.
Create a relaxation corner.
One of the reasons we go on vacation is to disconnect and relax. However, until you can go on that vacation, improvising something at home can work. For instance, you can create the perfect relaxing staycation right in your backyard. Find a peaceful corner of the yard and convert it into a relaxing oasis. To transform your backyard, place a hammock between two trees, build a small water fountain, plant some grass and flowers around it and create a beautiful space for leisure. You can even bring out a speaker and play relaxing or meditation music. Also, if you practice yoga, this will be the perfect spot to get in touch with the elements. Exercising on the grass near a fountain will bring you joy and inner peace. This corner might even become your favorite place in your backyard.
A hammock can be a great addition to your backyard staycation.
Put your deck to use.
If you don’t want to make changes to your yard or don’t have the space, but you do have a deck, put it to use. Decks can be transformed into spaces for relaxation, socializing, or dining. Based on what use you want to assign it, choose the right outdoor furniture and accessories, and get creative with the design. A swing or a rocking chair, a small bookcase, and a table, for example, can be used to create a reading corner. If you often host game nights, you can put together a table with enough chairs and a trunk that can serve as storage space for your favorite board games. Also, during chillier evenings, you can bring out pillows and blankets and make the place cozy and comfortable. All your guests will be delighted to spend time outdoors in such an inviting space.
Make the backyard fun for the whole family.
If you have children, you take them with you on vacation. But if you aren’t leaving your home for that vacation, you can bring it to them in your backyard. After all, your entire family could benefit from a staycation now and again. As a result, make a play space for your kids in your yard. You can set up a swing, make a sandbox, build a treehouse, or a playhouse. In addition, if your kids like spending time in the water, you can set up an inflatable pool or a lawn water slide. Just imagine all the fun your kids will have every day.
At the same time, we mustn’t forget about the other members of our family that could also use the outdoor space of their own. Our pets need pampering every now and then, and an outdoor kennel can be just what they need. A kennel can be a peaceful, comfortable, and shady area where dogs can stay cool on hot days. Just make sure that you choose the right size for your pet’s kennel, and he will have the perfect place of his own.
Use light to dictate the atmosphere.
To create the perfect backyard staycation, you also need to think about summer evenings and nights. Spending time outdoors on a pleasant evening can be a great way to relax after a long hot day. So, why not use lights to make your backyard that much more enjoyable in the evenings? You can use hanging lights for the trees, fairy lights on the poles of the wooden structures, and solar lamps by the walkways. That way, you will have enough light to see and do activities in the backyard at night. Additionally, consider adjustable lighting to control the brightness or hue of the lights and create different atmospheres. And if you want to create a more intimate and inviting ambiance, go with candles.
A well-lighted gazebo can be a wonderful place to spend time during your staycation in your backyard.
Final words
As you can see, you can easily create the setting for the perfect backyard staycation. All you need is a vision for your backyard and lots of creativity. But if you lack inspiration, try putting some of our ideas into practice.
Who says you have to be a pro gardener to enjoy the blessings a prebuilt greenhouse provides? No matter how experienced a gardener you are, you deserve to relish in colors, scents, and taste of homegrown produce. A prefab greenhouse can help you fulfill that dream. But do you know what the best plants to grow in a greenhouse are?
First things first: Why do you need a greenhouse?
Greenhouses are necessary for commercial growers and nurseries but have recently found their way into backyards and home gardens. The reasons for that are numerous, as it turns out that a greenhouse is great to have for several reasons.
It encourages the start and prolongs the growing season. Grow your food and save when the market prices skyrocket.
Greenhouses protect the plants grown within from pests and most diseases. You can keep your produce safely away from any wildlife on the prey.
They provide weather protection to sensitive plants. There is no need to let your delicate plants die out during the harsh winter season.
Allows you to control growing conditions. If your climate doesn’t welcome certain plants, your backyard greenhouse certainly does.
If your intention isn’t just to flex your green thumb, try gardening in a greenhouse. It is a beginner-friendly option that also benefits adept gardeners. The best part? If you ever tire of one type of plant, you can always try something entirely different. Your greenhouse doesn’t judge. Below are some of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse!
Growing flowers and ornamental plants in a greenhouse
They say there are two types of gardeners, those who like to look at the plants and those who want to eat them. You will greatly enjoy caring about frequently flowering plants with vibrant colors if you’re the visual type.
The least complicated to care for, almost constantly blooming, and, thus, the best plants to grow in a greenhouse are African violets, coming in a vast range of varieties and colors.
A lovely flowering tropical succulent, Kalanchoe, was one of the first to go into space, so why not into your greenhouse? Its long-lasting flowers will improve your outdoor decor but also your home interior.
Easy to care for, begonias are a gem among potted plants. The only challenge you will experience with them? Try to decide between Solenia ‘Dusty Rose’ Begonia, Nonstop ‘Mocca Yellow’ Begonia, and Rex Begonias.
The best greenhouse fruits
What’s the most common greenhouse fruit species, you might wonder?
Strawberries are undoubtedly the most popular fruit plants grown in home greenhouses. It will need a rechargeable pollinator as a fruit-bearing plant, as you most likely won’t allow natural pollinators inside your greenhouse.
Do you want to have delicious homegrown raspberries and blackberries for your smoothies and cakes all year long? It is possible, and you don’t even have to wait too long for the first harvest.
Caring about a cantaloupe (muskmelon) in a greenhouse is rewarding for several important reasons. Growing is simple, the plant doesn’t take much space, and it returns all the care invested with tasty, healthy fruit.
No matter how low-maintenance your greenhouse plants are, you will need specific tools to prune, pollinate, spray, and water your plants. Consider using a mobile storage unit if you have garden tools and appliances that can’t fit your greenhouse storage. It’s easy to learn how to make the most of it and have all your tools at hand.
Cultivate vegetables in a greenhouse year-round
Harvesting salad greens every day? It is possible if you care about your plants in a greenhouse in optimal conditions. As long as you avoid freezing conditions and water the plants regularly, you can enjoy fresh crunchy lettuce daily.
Fresh, young spinach is more nutritious than lettuce but just as easily grown. One of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse doesn’t mind cool weather and even thrives in it. If you plan to grow it, consider the needs of other plants in your greenhouse and choose compatible roommates.
Beginner-friendly zucchinis are simple to grow, bear fruit quickly, and deliver a healthy, bountiful harvest. To make them particularly happy, provide them with all the space they might need, including larger containers as they grow.
Whether fruit or veggie, tomatoes are growers’ favored choice for. Choose a disease-resistant variety, provide it with sufficient heat and light, and enjoy various delicious organic produce.
What is better than having aromatic spices (and cocktail ingredients) at hand year-round? Not only that herbs are hardy, pest-resistant plants, they also act as natural pesticides, defending other plants with which they share the greenhouse.
Competitive mint is perhaps not the ideal neighbor to other plants, but it will reward you with bright, fragrant leaves if you keep it apart. On the bright side, its invasive properties make it relatively easy to cultivate. You can use fresh leaves to spice cold beverages and cocktails and prepare tea and marinate the meat before cooking.
Full sun, loose soil, and constant watering are all that cilantro needs to thrive in your greenhouse. It will even self-seed. Yours is only to harvest the leaves in the morning and browse the web for savory recipes.
Rosemary is one of the inescapable ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine and is also relatively easy to grow in non-Mediterranean greenhouses. Depending on how much space you can afford, choose between the tall upright and low, creeping variety. The leaves of both types taste equally good, but the fragrant flowers are an even better seasoning for salads.
What is the best location for your greenhouse?
By now, you shouldn’t have any doubts if a greenhouse is the right choice for you. Only two other decisions remain.
Firstly, find the best spot for your greenhouse and transform your outdoor living space this way. If the ridge of the greenhouse roof runs east-west, plants will receive an optimal amount of sunlight during the winter season. Make sure that tall trees don’t shade it, there’s sufficient space around it to clean it, and it is close to the water and electricity source
There are a lot of things to consider when setting up your first chicken coop. Between trying to choose a material, finding a chicken coop plan, and making sure it is well-suited for the flock you plan to have, it can be easy to forget that where you place your coop can be just as important as all the rest.
A good coop location will be convenient for you and safe and healthy for your hens. It will also enable your coop to last a long time. Fortunately, all of these concerns can be broken down into a few key questions to keep in mind when placing your coop.
Distance to your house – It may seem obvious, but placing your chicken coop as far as possible from your house, especially depending on how large your yard is, is probably not the best idea. That makes for a long walk with eggs, feed, cleaning supplies, and anything else that might need to get out to the coop. (If you are able to have a shed or other storage space right by your coop, this math becomes different.) However, it can also be a problem if you place your coop too close to the house. Chickens, after all, can sometimes be loud and are always smelly. Even when you are making a conscious choice to have them in your backyard, you may come to regret having them in your immediate backyard. Finding a balance between these two things is important in placing your chicken coop.
Level ground – There are two different things to consider when thinking about placing your coop on level ground. The first, potentially more obvious one is that it should be on fairly flat, sturdy ground. A crooked coop is clearly no good for anyone, and you also do not want to come out one morning and find your coop has started sinking into quicksand. The second is water drainage; placing your coop on low ground could potentially be placing in a swamp, especially if you live in a particularly rainy area. Finding higher ground, if possible, or adding drainage to your yard, if necessary, will help keep your hens high and dry and healthy.
Foraging areas – No matter how much you feed them, hens love to forage, and placing their coop near good foraging areas will help keep them entertained, exercising, and well-fed. Good foraging areas have lots of plants, but none that might be toxic to your chickens – bracken ferns, azaleas, foxglove, and bulb flowers like tulips and irises are all common culprits. They also have a wide variety of plants that will be flourishing throughout the year; a foraging area is no good if it explodes with flowers in the spring, but leaves nothing for your hens to munch on in the winter.
Sun and shade – Finding the right balance of sun and shade for your chicken coop can be tricky. Too much sun, and your girls spend the high summer months roasting and potentially developing heat stroke. Too much shade, and they can develop unhealthy sleep patterns and fail to produce the necessary hormones for egg production. Ideally, your coop and run will have a balance of sun and shade that will allow your chickens to switch between the two and regulate their own temperatures. Failing this, err on the side of too much shade, as warming up a coop is easier and healthier than letting your flock suffer in the heat.
Availability to predators – No matter how sturdy your chicken coop is and how much hardware cloth you string around it, there is still the possibility of a hungry predator trying to turn your girls into dinner. You can reduce this possibility, though, by placing your coop away from anywhere that might make for an appealing hiding or resting place for predators. Low shrubs, woodpiles, and other ground-level hiding places will be attractive to snakes and rodents, while overhanging branches can harbor owls and hawks. Avoiding both of these will help keep your hens as safe as possible.
Placing a chicken coop is not always the first thing on a first-time chicken keeper’s mind when they start setting up for a flock, but it is an important decision that will affect your chickens’ health and wellness for years to come.
Choosing the right place for your coop is crucial in allowing you to raise happy, healthy hens.
Your backyard can be a space where you feel at peace and a place where you can escape everyday life. When you think of an outdoor living space, what do you picture? Hammocks and lounge chairs poolside, an outdoor kitchen under a beautiful pergola, or do you imagine a cozy fire pit for those chilly summer nights?
If you are looking to enhance and transform your outdoor space, check out the helpful tips and tricks below to get inspired on how you can turn your backyard into a paradise you’ve always dreamed of having.
Plan Your Layout
Before you jump into purchasing any new furniture, try focusing on the layout of your backyard, and determine how you’d like certain statement pieces to look. Here is a list of questions to consider when designing an outdoor living space:
Do you want a designated area for gardening, or do you want a greenhouse?
Are you looking to have extra lawn space for the kids and pets?
Are there other factors you would need to consider, such as a privacy fence or hedges?
When beginning the planning process of your new backyard, consider the importance of the basics and create an initial sketch before hopping into the specifics. You can do so by working with a professional designer or specialist in yard care to get a second opinion on the aspects you might be confused or concerned about. They might be able to help you not only include everything you may want, but give you input on the design by suggesting color palettes, patterns, and textures.
Again, something as simple as a drawing can help you share an outdoor living space idea with the individuals you may be working with on your new backyard oasis, but if this isn’t your cup of tea, create a vision board. Anytime you find something you like online or in a magazine, cut it out or use a sticky tab to keep it on your radar.
Research Financial Options
Financial options are an extremely important aspect to consider when taking on big projects such as a backyard transformation because there can be so many moving parts. To start, make a list of the furniture, lawn care, and other necessities that you plan to incorporate into your backyard, and do some research to determine an average of how much everything will cost. This can give you a clearer snapshot of how much money you’ll need to invest for your outdoor upgrades. Keep your phone or a notebook nearby, and type or write down some of the prices you find and compare them to competitors. Keep close track of any quotes you ask for so you can continue to compare and select the service best suitable for your backyard transformation.
During this stage, it is also important to figure out how you are going to finance each upgrade. With many different options out there, it’s imperative to compile a list of prices and do a more in-depth evaluation of which financing choice is going to best benefit your budget in the long run. You could look into how a line of credit works, check out loan options, or use cash upfront if you have the money saved up. Remember, how you handle payments will directly depend on how large or small the project is. Some payments will also depend on whether or not you’ll be able to utilize installment plans.
Maximize Your Deck or Patio Space
When transforming your outdoor living area, look at how much space you have to work with, so you can be smarter about what you purchase. Certain decorations and pieces of furniture can either make the space look bigger or more crammed. If you’ve measured a smaller space, this is a good time to consider adding built-in features, reimagine the size of outdoor furniture you are looking to get, and think about the number of decorations that you want to use. If you have a larger space, you’ll have more freedom with all the entertainment aspects you are looking to have for both a minimalist or detailed room.
Determine the Required Upkeep
During this time, if you are planning to build or add to your deck or patio, think about how much maintenance and upkeep you are willing to take on. Typically, if you get a wooden deck, you will have to reseal it every summer and restain it every two to three years. If that constant upkeep is not ideal for you, consider other affordable deck alternatives with less maintenance. If you are not looking to spend a ton of money, a patio may be a better option for you. Or, if you are just looking to create a more inviting deck or patio space, consider adding a pergola to give it a more dramatic look.
If you already have a deck or patio and are just looking to give it a little revamp and make it look like new again, consider power washing, restaining, or polishing to restore the vibrance it once had. This could also help you save money in the long run.
Consider Entertainment Aspects
Once you figure out how you’re going to maximize and upgrade your outdoor space, the next step is the fun part: picking out the outdoor patio decor and entertainment pieces. Consider amping up your space by decorating with some tables, chairs, and maybe even lounging couches. Consider purchasing an outdoor space rug to tie it all together and give the area some color through vibrant plants. If you live close to your neighbors and prefer more privacy, it may be beneficial to look into a privacy wall to enclose your outdoor living area and make it feel more secluded.
If you like to entertain guests, whether it’s cooking, planning a gathering, or having a wine night, there is nothing better than wowing your guests with not only your hospitality, but the environment they are in. You can do this by investing in a pool, spa, fire pit, or an outdoor kitchen.
For additional assets to set the mood, outdoor speakers or lighting may add to the ambiance. If you are looking for a dreamy vibe, string lights and water features are a great option! You can also jazz up the patio or deck with some flowers and potted plants. Have fun with it and pick out what best suits your style.
Once you make these updates, you’ll never want to leave your backyard. It truly will be that ultimate outdoor transformation you’ve always wanted.
For this Post we are again lucky to have one of our customers, Shelly Rose who owns a shed row barn with an overhang from Horizon Structures send us her story about their experience during hurricane Sandy. We are very happy that everything is safe and secure on Shelly’s farm. As Superstorm Sandy was fast approaching and the whole east coast was bracing for the impact, I stood in our backyard looking at our brand new Horizon Structures shed row barn. Not only was I thankful for a safe place for our horses, but our compact little setup was solidly built and secure enough for our two Geldings to ride out the storm. Bailey and Superman had a strong roof over their heads and a dry place to hide while the wind howled outside. The overhang provided perfect protection from the rain and the boys were happy to be able to stick their heads out and not get drenched. Investing in this shed row has been the best thing I could have done for my two geldings. They have a cozy place to hide from the elements and more than enough room to be comfortable when they have to be cooped up for a storm like Sandy. The compact and strong construction of their little home made me confident that they would be kept safe. There’s a place for everything in our little barn and in fact our storm prep was minimal since everything already had its own spot in the tack room between the two stalls. When morning came after the storm their two little heads were poking out of their stalls and they were nickering as usual for breakfast. Their home had made them so cozy through the whole ordeal I doubt they even cared about the howling wind outside. Thank you Horizon for helping me keep them safe and sheltered.
It doesn’t matter if you live in New England or Florida, California or Maryland and anywhere in between. Outdoor living and enjoying the outdoors via a Gazebo, Pergola, Cabanna, Pavilion, or other Patio Structure makes that time even better.
For 2013 there are going to be some new offerings on outdoor living structures available. One of the new products will be a cedar gazebo which can be delivered with different options to suite your needs. With a floor, without a floor, and even with windows and screens to offer a more quiet area that can be used for more that just sunny days.
Another new offering will be a pavilion that is going to have a more rugged structure and presence. The new Alpine pavilion will have large 8×8 posts and a steeper 10/12 pitch roof. This will be a must have for anyone looking to add a more outdoor look to their property.
The best thing for you the consumer to know is that if you order one of our kits everything is pre-cut and pre-drilled for you. All of the hardware as well as clear and easy to understand instructions are included. Average time of assembly for a non carpenter is about 10-20 hours. Lead-time is generally about 2-4 weeks depending on your location and the type of structure.
If you would like us to provide the crew to assemble your new outdoor living structure just let us know. We can add that to your quote.
The Spring season is quickly approaching. So even if the groundhog saw his shadow, the warmer weather is quickly approaching, and to me that is a very comforting thought.
The great thing about my job here at Horizon Structures (www.horizonstructures.com) is that I always have the chance not only to help customers with product selection but to also learn from the customer as well.
Yesterday during a conversation about chicken coops with a customer we were going over the dimensions and specifications of a couple of our chicken coops and she suddenly asked me if our coops were able to be used with the “deep litter” method. Of course I initially misunderstood her and thought she said “deep leader” method which led me to an internet search with no results about chickens.
Once the internet suggested deep litter I was on my way to an opportunity to learn.
As I am not completely versed in the subject, I hope that the information below may guide you to deciding if this is something you want to try. Of course, I welcome your comments and feedback to help me with anything I may miss or send me your suggestions of what you do on your own farm.
Basically, the deep litter method is a means using the browns and greens to create a compost pile of your chickens poop (the greens) mixed with (the browns) such as pine shavings (DO NOT USE CEDAR SHAVINGS) or Newspaper shreds/strips. Some people will use Hay or Straw which may be to moist for this application and may mold. This process happens right on your coop floor and for most people they only have to clean out their coops once or maybe twice a year. This is a great way to manage chicken litter for small farmers or even people in urban areas.
You will find that the deep litter method works best in coops with a earthen floor. If you have a coop with a floor in it you will need to put the material you clean out in a compost bin to break down farther and avoid damaging your plants. The key here is the dirt floor in the coop which supplies the moisture and culture to keep the compost process going. If you are using a dirt floor coop and find material that is more fresh on your semi-annual or annual clean out. You will also want to put that material in a compost bin for a period of time before applying to a garden.
As for the smell you may be expecting from having this build up in your coop? It is impoortant to maintain a good balance of fresh shavings on the coop floor to keep the moisture to a minimum. Let the chicken’s do some work for you too. Tossing some corn or feed on the floor will get the chickens scratching which they like to do anyway. This will help the aeration process. From what I have read, people report a very minimal if any ammonia smell at all.
You may wonder what some of the benefits are of the deep litter method. Here are a few for you.
*There is very little time needed to manage this process
*Low cost compost for your gardens and flower beds
*No smell
*Heathier Chickens as they benefit from scratching through the litter which contains beneficial microbes. Kind of like probiotics for the chickens.
Please note that as a standard all of our Horizon Structures coops come with a wood or gladbord floor installed in them.
If this is something you would like to try, lets talk about our 6×6,8×8 or even our 8×10 chicken mansion coop. We’ll work with you to modify the coop if you want to place on a natural earth base.
Also remember that we can modify any of our storage sheds to accomodate your chickens. We can add extra chicken doors, roost bars and nest boxes to get you the coop you want.
For our Blog this time we welcome a new guest writer.
A recent customer of ours, Amy Caraway in Salisbury North Carolina has been kind enough to share her excitement about getting her new barn but also provides some insight to how she handles her horses during what would be a more mild winter in a more Southern region. Her story also provides a good view of how our horse barns fair in North Carolina’s climate. It also demontrates the importance of good horse barn ventilation.
Thank you Amy for sharing with us and we hope her experience provides all of you with some helpful tips. Amy’s Barn is a Low Profile with a Raised Center Aisle.
One of my favorites.
Low Profile Barn
As far as winter goes, this is part of the reason I liked all of the options Horizon offered during the barn building process. Ventilation is important both summer and winter and having the ridge vent, the functional cupola and the gable vents assure me that air can escape the building even if I have the barn doors and windows sealed up tight. Use of Dutch windows and sliding aisle doors allow me to meter how much wind or air I want to let into the barn depending on how hot or cold the temperature is, too. My old barn did not have enough ventilation, my farrier was always complaining about there being no air when he came to shoe my horses…so when I chose the options for my Horizon barn this was in the forefront of my mind as I made upgrade decisions. To be honest, I think my horses LOVE the colder weather until they they get wet, then they want to be inside the barn. If I have only one horse at home, I usually leave one door open to the pasture and give the horse free choice to be either inside or outside unless it is bitter cold and then I have them stay up at least during the night time hours. If I have more than one at home then I have them stay up at night during the winter. I fill up a lot of extra water buckets when the temperature is predicted to be lower than 32 degrees in case the water lines freeze and I feed extra hay in the winter to supplement the loss of grass in the field. Sometimes I will put extra hay outside in the field with them too when it is really cold. Since I live in North Carolina, our winters tend to be on the milder side. I normally don’t blanket my horses unless I have a horse who is scheduled to go to early spring shows or unless I have an older horse who needs the extra help with insulation. Another thing I try to remember is to pull any medications out of the barn and bring them in the house if it gets extremely hot or cold.
It has been just shy of four months since you have heard from me, so they wanted to do an update on my chicken coop and the girls, well, and the boy!
The coop is still AWESOME!!!!! Lots of room for everyone to roost and lay their eggs. They get lots of free range time now since they are all bigger and are able to defend themselves better. To aid in their defense I have implemented a few “Predator deterrents”. I have purchased four Nite Guard Solar Predator Control Lights. I installed them in each direction, North, South, East and West of the coop, facing out. The lights are solar powered and as soon as they detect darkness they blink red consistently all night. I was never sure that there were “visitors” at night, but better safe than sorry is my motto.
Nite Guard (little black and red box on coop)
I have also installed three trail cameras by Moultrie. Not so much to protect my flock, but more so to see what they do all day and night. I am nosy like that. As soon as it senses motion it takes a day or night picture. It’s like black OPs in the coop zone.
Coop Cam 2
We also built a chicken fence to keep the dogs from being able to get to where the chicken zone is. This helps so they are able to have free range time, which was my main concern. It also helps to lesson the stress on the chickens, stressed chickens do not lay eggs, the dogs kinda tormented them while they were in their run area. The fence also keeps the dogs from pooping in the area I have to go to tend and gather eggs.
Fence during construction
One issue in regards to predators I have yet to solve….. it is a tricky situation with many considerations. Last week I went out to the coop after dark to close the gate to the run, they had already roosted and the dusk to dawn automatic door had closed so they were all safe and sound. I closed the gate and latched it, stood up straight and heard a rustling noise. I had my big mag light with me and I aimed it all around. I did not see any movement or hear it again. I went to turn and leave and then I saw movement, freaking out ~ frantic movement. I started to hear the theme to every scary movie ever written!
Then I realized what it was ~~~~ a kitten. A little tiny ball of fur and rage! I DO NOT need any more cats to take care of! I opened the gate and out it flew. Then I remembered seeing an adult cat sitting on the top of the fence by the shed doing “re-con” on the chicken zone. I was ready to leave, disaster diverted and then I heard the noise again. I was now peeing my pants; my mind is racing, thinking how many kittens are in there? Why are they in there? I opened the gate again and out it flew. I stood there a bit longer hoping that it was the last one. I closed the gate, latched it and left the chicken zone. But then I started thinking ~ what if some were being stealthy, just waiting until morning for the massacre? My chickens in a closed run are sitting ducks (well chickens) to a freaked out, hopped up cat waiting for a free chicken meal.
This is Benz, he lives inside ~ he says “Please NO MORE CATS”
Needless to say I went out five more time that evening, with my mag light, I laid on the ground, looked into the run area that is under the coop. the images of what might happen were messing with my judgement. I imagined these cats being all ninja and being sneaky on my chickens. Of course nothing happened. But a mother worries, ya know? So I am trying to figure out how to keep the cats/kittens out of the chicken zone. I don’t want to trap them and turn them into animal control, they will just be killed. Trapping and relocating is like passing your problems onto another and I don’t really like that option. Razor wire around the perimeter seems a bit extreme. So this is my dilemma.
I have recently done a “Super Dooper Coop Clean”, this entails removing everything from the coop and spraying it all clean with a pressure washer. I then spritzed some water/bleach mixture in the poop zone. I set up a fan to speed the drying. After the coop was completely dried I took out my shaker of DE (Diatomaceous Earth – food grade) and I covered every surface, including the ground all around the coop and run. DE takes care of ants, mites, fleas and other nibbling pests. I then put all new hay into the nesting boxes and the center section of the coop, also know as the dining hall.
Random Free Range
Using the pressure washer will only be a once/twice a year kind of thing. For deep cleaning only. On a weekly basis I drop the “cleaner coop tray” and scrape off the poop and gather up any stray poops from inside the roosting area. I also add fresh hay as needed through out the month. I put the poop in one of my unused raised garden boxes to compost. The hay I remove from the nesting boxes and dining hall I just put on the ground around the coop. It adds to the fun of searching for bugs and worms. Makes it more of a challenge, keeps ’em sharp!!
Of course I had to pretty up the coop for the girls, so I hung some nice little lace curtains. This was easy peasy! I bought some marked down lace, cut it to fit the window openings plus margins, and busted out the ‘ol staple gun, put them up and allowed for a little overhang to cover the staples. Then I used some ribbon to make tie backs. They love the new look of their coop!!! Will~I~am did point out that HE would have preferred camo ones.
I want CAMO!!!!!!!!!!
The chickens are doing great!
I currently have three layers, well possibly four; Sunday there was a super small egg in one of the nesting boxes.
Carrie laid her first egg on November 25, 2012
Carrie’s First Egg
I was laying in bed on that Sunday, the windows were open since we were having a cold front. All of a sudden I heard chicken screaming, not the “we are getting attacked” noise, but more of a “OMGOSH this hurts” noise. I knew what it was right away. But I didn’t go running out there, I did not count my eggs before they were laid, oh no. I got up and ready for church in my normal mode and then I went outside to the coop ~ THERE IS WAS!!!!
A little tiny perfect blue egg, so proud.
We also have a “rogue” chicken that comes into the yard. “My milkshakes brings all the boys to my yard” or rather my chickens bring all the ……………………….you know where I am going with that. Anyway, I named it “Rogue”, I am still not sure where he comes from. I think it is a wild chicken though, looks like my amerucanas do, but skinny and smaller.
Rogue inside the run
Willow ~ one of my Buff Orpingtons that I hatched now goes by Will~I~ Am – like the dude from the Black Eyed Peas. He is a lovely rooster that is starting to crow, although it sounds more like a pre-pubescent boy with his voice changing. But two out of two experts (Me and my chicken partner in crime) agree that this IS a rooster.
Will~I~Am
I hatched this handsome fellow!! The chickens have been free ranging during the days, they really love it. (Please note that in the photo you will see two orange 5 gallon buckets , they are covering sprinkler heads that would drench the coops, so until I get them capped, we have buckets) Don’t judge.
Free Ranging
I haven’t yet put mulch down over the sand, so I have been putting the hay from the nesting boxes down. Honestly, I don’t think they mind at all, as long as they can scratch they are happy. A worm or a grub ~ BONUS!!! They have the whole side of the house (top of pic) and more space behind where I was standing to take the picture. That is Will~I~Am and Jenny on the fore ground, Mo and Sno and one of the Cuckoo Marans with either Carrie or Miranda.
I want to share a little story about one of my hens. Her name is Sno, I got her and her sister Mo after one of my silkies went to the big coop in the sky. I didn’t think Jenny would do good alone, so I rushed off the Griff’s ~ A local feed store, and got two baby chicks. Both Amerucanas. Sno was the only pure white chick in the box, and well I just had to have her because she was so different from all the others. We picked Mo because she had a black patch in her head that looked like a Mohawk. That lasted about a month and then started to fade away.
Sno and Mo have been raised by my Jenny, they always nestled next to her and roosted with her when they all got bigger. They were so much smaller than she was, but being a Bantam Silkie Jenny is now dwarfed by Sno and Mo.
Jenny and Sno
That is Jenny and Sno right when I introduced them. I am sure Jenny was like “what the heck is that”. But she quickly started mothering them. Never a peek or a squawk towards them.
They all stayed in the brooder until Mo and Sno had their feathers and then I put them in the little coop. I didn’t want to throw them right in with Carrie and Miranda, they were both so much bigger then the little girls.
Jenny and Mo
So after about another month I decided to put them all together in the big coop. I decided on the “slip ’em in while it is dark” tactic. They wake up and would be like “Yo who are you?” and they would say “Dude I have been here forever, you are losing it”. It worked, they all get along great. In fact they all roost side by side.
On January 23, 2013 I came home from work and gathered eggs, and there were THREE!!!!!!!!!! I was sure I had collected them all the night before so I had a mystery layer. I had a mystery to solve and by golly I grabbed my Nancy Drew hat and I dug right in. I gathered DNA, took finger prints, made mold castings of foot prints. It was on, on like Donkey Kong.
Three eggs (brown is a wooden prop egg)
Such excitement – I was shaking
Actually I popped out the SIM card on the camera in the coop, ran into the house and put in in the computer and started scrolling for the picture proof.
Sno ~ “I just laid an egg!!!”
This picture is the exact moment she stood up after laying her very first egg. I am so proud…………..tear.
She was hatched sometime at the end of July 2012 or the beginning of August 2012, I got her on the 24th, and she had to have been a few weeks before they sell them. So now the wait is on for Mo to start laying. (*UPDATE ~ Since starting to write this blog entry this week I have had a fourth layer, the SIM card was put in upside down so no picture of the “moment”. I have since put the SIM card in correctly and now am just waiting to see when another long skinny egg is hatched.
1, 2, 3, 4 let me have some more!!!
Here is the low down on my chickens:
Carrie ~ Amerucana ~ Purchased from local feed store ~ Hen ~ Named after Carrie Underwood ~Singer
Miranda ~ Amerucana ~ Purchased with Carrie from Local feed store ~Hen ~ Named after Miranda Lambert ~ Singer
Jenny ~ Blue Silkie (actually looks black) ~ Hatched in my guest room ~Hen ~ Named after my sister
Mo ~ Amerucana ~ Purchased from local feed store ~ Hen ~ Named because she had a Mohawk
Sno ~ Amerucana ~ Purchased from local feed store ~ Hen ~ Named because she is pure white
Will ~ I ~Am ~ Buff Orpington ~ Hatched in my guest room ~ Rooster ~ Named Willow then realized she is a he, Will ~I ~Am in the Black Eyed Peas ~ Singer
Emma ~ Buff Orpington ~ Hatched in my guest room ~ Hen ~ Named because this is a good solid country name
Abby ~ Cuckoo Maran ~ Bought from local feed store ~ Hen ~ Named after Abby on NCIS
Zeva ~ Cuckoo Maran ~ Bought from local feed store ~ Hen ~ Named after Zeva on NCIS
So there you have it, among many other activities I am currently partaking in this is my chicken zone in Sunny South Florida.
As always we love to hear your comments and questions. Please feel free to leave either and we will get back to you.
Rogue inside the run
