Does Anyone Ever Rotate Flock Between Summer/Winter Housing?

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Siggie

Siggie

Songster
Dec 27, 2015
389
94
101
Northshore MN
I am currently building a coop and run inside my horse pasture. The coop will be attached to the side of the barn. I was wondering if anyone ever rotates their flock between different housing based on the seasons? I am also building a 24'x14' greenhouse and thought it would be good for them to benefit from the end of the harvest plants in the greenhouse and it might also double as a warmer alternative to the coop in winter. I could plant some cover crops inside the greenhouse and let them go to town!

Any thoughts for more experienced flocksters?
 
I haven't done it, but my thought is it should sure work.

You'd need to make sure your greenhouse has enough ventilation. If it's closed up tight, the ammonia build up won't be healthy for anyone. Fresh air is always needed for healthy animals.

Birds are powerful creatures of habit. You'll probably have a lot of fussing and complaining when you shift them from one sleeping spot to the other. Won't hurt them a bit, but they'll probably be pretty vocal. Egg production might stagger a bit when you move them also.
 
We built a new coop inside our larger workshop, but it's too hot in there during the summer for them to sit in nest boxes during the day. We kept their old outdoor coop and run for summer. They free range if we're home, but our house blocks the breeze during the summer months where they like to rest, so they can't hang out there. They've been fine with the transition to nesting in the old coop.
 
lovemy6hens said:
We built a new coop inside our larger workshop, but it's too hot in there during the summer for them to sit in nest boxes during the day. We kept their old outdoor coop and run for summer. They free range if we're home, but our house blocks the breeze during the summer months where they like to rest, so they can't hang out there. They've been fine with the transition to nesting in the old coop.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I am seriously considering it just because they will have greens further into the winter season if I put them in the greenhouse. It is glass and wood so very secure.
 
donrae said:
I haven't done it, but my thought is it should sure work.

You'd need to make sure your greenhouse has enough ventilation. If it's closed up tight, the ammonia build up won't be healthy for anyone. Fresh air is always needed for healthy animals.

Birds are powerful creatures of habit. You'll probably have a lot of fussing and complaining when you shift them from one sleeping spot to the other. Won't hurt them a bit, but they'll probably be pretty vocal. Egg production might stagger a bit when you move them also.
Click to expand...

wondering if I can make their nesting boxes portable so they will not feel as if EVERYTHING is new?
 
I rotate my flocks between the chicken tractors during the warmer months so they can benefit from free-ranging as much as possible and their stationary coops during the winter months-closer to electricity for their heated water bowls. Works out pretty well.
 
Siggie said:
Thank you!  I am seriously considering it just because they will have greens further into the winter season if I put them in the greenhouse.  It is glass and wood so very secure.
Click to expand...


Yes, security was the primary reason for our new coop inside the workshop. I was always worried about predators and storms. The workshop is on a real foundation with ventilation and real doors. Now it's temperature that's our primary concern.
 
Siggie said:
wondering if I can make their nesting boxes portable so they will not feel as if EVERYTHING is new?
Click to expand...


Our girls use covered kitty litter boxes during pleasant times of year. They make the transition by us carrying the boxes to the old coop everyday when it starts to get hot, leaving the boxes there for longer amounts of time each day. We then remove the lids and they don't like that, so they choose the community nest which is in the better location in that coop.
EDIT: We sometimes carry the boxes to the old coop with the hen sitting inside. That may help with their transition. They don't seem bothered by it.
 
Last edited:
Siggie said:
wondering if I can make their nesting boxes portable so they will not feel as if EVERYTHING is new?
Click to expand...
All my nest boxes are portable. Thing like plastic totes or small trash cans, etc. They're very mobile and easy to hose out if an egg gets broken.
 
Siggie said:
I am currently building a coop and run inside my horse pasture.  The coop will be attached to the side of the barn.  I was wondering if anyone ever rotates their flock between different housing based on the seasons?  I am also building a 24'x14' greenhouse and thought it would be good for them to benefit from the end of the harvest plants in the greenhouse and it might also double as a warmer alternative to the coop in winter.  I could plant some cover crops inside the greenhouse and let them go to town!   

Any thoughts for more experienced flocksters?
Click to expand...


That is an awesome amazing idea. Those birds will work that soil all winter, and lay down a nice nutrient rich fertilizer at the same time. In the spring you'll be able direct plant, you won't even need to turn the soil.

Do it...post pictures...and tell us about it.
 

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