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Plastic Coop?

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post #1 of 5

3/31/07 at 1:53pm

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Heidi

Location: Northwest Michigan
Joined: 3/2007
Posts: 1,084
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I'm in the process of building my chicken coop. My husband was going to build me a coop of wood, but he ended up having ankle surgery and can't bare weight on his foot for 6 to 8 weeks now. I was thinking about purchasing a plastic shed for my 15 chickens that are almost 4 weeks now. The shed comes with 2 windows, roof vents, and is about 8'x 10'. I figure it will be easier to clean also. I live in mid-Michigan so the winters are pretty cold. If I stack straw bales around the three sides they should be warm enough, right? I also plan on running electricity out to the coop too so they will have a light and a water warmer. I would really like your opinion on this. Thanks!
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post #2 of 5

3/31/07 at 2:08pm

bigzio

Location: Wisconsin
Joined: 1/2007
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Heidi, I would prefer the wood over the plastic, however if you can park it in the shade that would help to keep it cooler in the summer. One of those parked in the sun will get awfully warm on hot sunny days.

It may need help to keep the hens warm in extreme cold, if you have electric to add heat you should be ok. Good Luck.

bigzio

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Calling all Wisconsinites....come and enjoy the days of Spring with us on the "Cheesehead" thread! http:/ http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=44015700

Annual Bash...A must Event http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/734707/fourth-annual-bigzios-wi-cheesehead-chickenstock-thread

post #3 of 5

4/2/07 at 7:43pm

motherhen

Location: Halifax, NS
Joined: 3/2007
Posts: 67
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I have a friend that made double walls and stuffed it with straw and in the winter she uses a think layer of straw in the coop and gets a few extra hens so that they can use their own body heat to keep warm. She also uses a 100watt light bulb at night for 4 hours just to extend the light to keep them laying. We are located in Nova Scotia. In the morning the water would be frozen, but she delivers fresh water everyday.

post #4 of 5

4/3/07 at 3:39pm

Thread Starter