My chicken coop. 7 chicks currently in the brooder.

Hi all. I am new to the world of chickens. I spent about a year researching and making sure I knew what I was going to be getting into. I have two boys (10 & 12) who will be helping me, but as you know they have other things on their agendas during the weekend when it comes to chores. Anyways, I thought I would add some photo's of my coop and take some feedback or comments. I spoke with several folks at the local feed store and friends who raise chickens who have told me everything looks good for when the chicks are ready to go in.

I have 7 chcicks currently at about a week old. I have 3 Ameraucanas, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 2 Buff Orpingtons.









I did replace the front door of the coop. I used pine shavings inside. The inside is not done yet as I will add perches, feeding items and other stuff.

Inside of the coop only had a single perch going lengthwise, is that enough? Should I add one higher or lower? Also, the floor of the coop is a metal wire, should I replace with plywood?

Thanks for all your input.

That is a nice coop there One suggestion though is that you can plant some small bushes inside the run or keep some potted plants as chickens sometimes like to rip off some leaves and enjoy the company of plants.

If I were you, I would replace the floor netting with plywood. Chickens can easily cut their feet on metal (which could potentially lead to bumblefoot). It doesn't look to be too hard of a task as you already have some 2x4s laying across the coop for support. Also, if you decide to leave the netting how it is, be sure to check on the netting regularly as so it doesn't cave in. Those Orpingtons are known for getting 8+ pounds!!!

-Clark

RooDen said:

That is a nice coop there

One suggestion though is that you can plant some small bushes inside the run or keep some potted plants as chickens sometimes like to rip off some leaves and enjoy the company of plants.

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I like your idea of small bushes in the run, any ideas as to what? Any idea how to keep them from "killing" it?

ChickNanny13 said:

I like your idea of small bushes in the run, any ideas as to what? Any idea how to keep them from "killing" it

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Well, to keep them from killing the plants, you can put something in there they don't like to eat. My personal favorite green to plant for my chickens is Radicchio di Treviso. When you harvest it, be sure not to take the roots out as it will continue to grow. I normally cut the leafy green about 3 inches from the ground and it another week, it will magically be back!!!

I have periwinkles planted in my backyard and the chickens don't like to eat em, just sometimes they pluck the leaves for fun.

chickens r life said:

If I were you, I would replace the floor netting with plywood. Chickens can easily cut their feet on metal (which could potentially lead to bumblefoot). It doesn't look to be too hard of a task as you already have some 2x4s laying across the coop for support. Also, if you decide to leave the netting how it is, be sure to check on the netting regularly as so it doesn't cave in. Those Orpingtons are known for getting 8+ pounds!!!

-Clark

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I agree, it would be best to have a solid floor, Full grown chickens are heavy and the poop will stick to the wire and look like stalactites. Chicken poop isn't like rabbit droppings.

Thank you everybody for the advice. I am going to replace the flooring with plywood

Leave the wire and put the plywood over it. It will keep anything from chewing through the wood. You might also consider putting vinal flooring on top of the plywood to make cleaning easier. Then a layer of pine shavings or chopped hay or straw and you are all set. Read about poop trays for under your roosts it keeps your coop cleaner and smelling better. There are articles about poop trays and PDZ. Good luck with your chicken adventure and welcome to BYC.

chickens r life said:

Well, to keep them from killing the plants, you can put something in there they don't like to eat. My personal favorite green to plant for my chickens is Radicchio di Treviso. When you harvest it, be sure not to take the roots out as it will continue to grow. I normally cut the leafy green about 3 inches from the ground and it another week, it will magically be back!!!

Click to expand...

RooDen said:

I have periwinkles planted in my backyard and the chickens don't like to eat em, just sometimes they pluck the leaves for fun.

Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch for your selections, now I need to do some planting I need to take pictures of my half naked Hibiscus plant, bald Hawaiian Chili plant & Rosemary. They're now deciding the new shoots off the Ti Leaf is great....Yup, I live in Hawaii, glad I don't have all the predators to worry about that's in the Mainland but do miss life there